Simply Socks Yarn Co. Blog

Valentine's Day Knitting?

Are you knitting anything Valentine's-inspired?  Or do you have any go-to socks or garments that you wear once February hits?  I saw in the comments yesterday that one of you is knitting last year's kit yarn and pattern- I loved that one!

Have you snagged yourself some of the Poste Yarn Valentine colors yet (Brown County Kiss, Forbidden City and Heartland)?  We finished dyeing up the last of it, so I think I'll have enough to last til Valentine's Day for you.  We won't be dyeing these colors again for months, perhaps even a year.

Many of you asked about the striped color pictured in yesterday's post, and that's a color that we have in the process of dyeing for a special St. Patty's Day kit!  It's the first time I've done a kit for the holiday, and so this year we won't be having a Valentine kit, but instead one a couple weeks after to celebrate the Luck o' the Irish.  I do have something special arriving for you to treat yourself for Valentine's Day, and I'll share that with you in a couple weeks.

Other Valentine colors you might consider to get in the spirit:

Crock-o-dye in Candy. A wool/silk/nylon blend

Madelinetosh Tosh Sock in Night Bloom.  A dusky and romantic colorway.

Zauberball 100 in color 2166.  This is a 100% merino wool version of the classic Zauberball (which has nylon).  Perfect for scarves and garments that you'd happily exchange the nylon for something with a tad more drape and softer texture.

On the needles

What are you working on this week?

SSYC's Silent Auction to Benefit Community Harvest Foodbank

This April, Simply Socks Yarn Company is working with the Community Harvest Foodbank to raise money feed the hungry.  Spring is a time of year when many don't think about hungry families- it's usualy during Thanksgiving and Christmas that we all consider those who might not have tables full of turkey and stuffing.  So I'm organizing a Silent Auction at the store, allowing those who attend to bid on speical items donated by our favorite dyers, fiber companies, and designers.

If you were to attend a Silent Auction at a yarn store, what type of items would you be most interested in bidding on?  Special colorways and fibers like the skein shown above?  Perfectly paired patterns and skeins?  Private classes for you and a group of friends?  Handmade socks or mittens?  Tell me what you would love to see and help us make this event a success!

If you're in the Fort Wayne, Indiana area, mark your calender for the afternoon of April 13 and help us show our support of Community Harvest Foodbank!  If you aren't in the Fort Wayne area, I'm still trying to think of a way that our supportive knitters around the world can take part.  If you have suggestions, please e-mail me those.

Many of the dyers we all know and love have already come on board- Madelinetosh, Shibui Knits, The Unique Sheep, just to name a few.  So if you haven't received an e-mail from me about this event yet, and you'd like to contribute, please e-mail me because I definitely want to include everyone, but the response has so far kept me so busy that I haven't yet contacted everyone.

Baby, it's cold outside

Is it super cold where you live too?  If not, tell me where you are so I can live vicariously.  PLEASE.

When the temp drops to the single digits, I want to drink something hot.  These are my beverages of choice.  What do you like to sip on?

Picture post

Since I haven't had chance to complete many projects lately, here's what some of my friends have made:

Jodi made Poste Yarn socks with the (currently sold out) Seattle Coffee Blues colorway

Tara finished one Baby Surprise sweater and is already making another with Opal's 6-ply Polar Lights.  I still have a couple colors in the sale section if you are interested.

Jodi is hoping to have these fun shamrock-heel-socks finished by St. Patty's Day.  A pattern of her own design, using Simply Sock Yarn Solids.

Natalie knit these mitts using the special edition Ghouls Just Wanna Have Fun colorway that was featured in our Halloween Kit in 2012.

Since it's a holiday, we are all hanging out today, taking it easy.  James wheeled Henry around the house, pretending to play MarioKart.  James calls this Henry's "parking spot."  Heh.

What are you doing today?  Watching the inauguration of President Barack Obama?  Kniting a few stitches?  Working?  Meeting friends for lunch?

Contest Winner

I have the winner of last month's Dream in Color contest...... Andrea! 

Andrea has won the color combo she liked best in the new Smooshy solids from Dream in Color, Option 5, shown below.

Andrea also had a bit of excitement recently, getting a pattern published in Petite Purls.  Congrats, Andrea, on both your win and you super cute baby sweater design! 

If you haven't seen Petite Purls before, it's a free online knitting magazine, kinda like what Knitty does, only it features kids patterns.  Definitely worth a read.

Stay tuned for the winners of the 12 Days of Sock Yarn contest.

Scarf & Shawl pattern ideas for Christmas at Downton

Um, so, yeah.  The Christmas at Downton color was really well received.  You kept me and the SSYC Team very busy yesterday when it was released.  Thank you!

One of the questions I received throughout the day was regarding pattern ideas for non-sock projects.  Yesterday I linked to several sock projects I thought would show off the colors nicely, and so today I'm linking to a few non-sock projects.  All the links point to Ravelry pages- some require more than one skein (one skein has 435 yards, so plan accordingly).  Some are free, some are not. 

First, Ecuador by Joji Locatelli, a sweater that I would actually knit for myself if I had the time.  Photos used with permission.  And if you want a gift idea for a baby shower, it would make a pregnant woman feel pretty and special and could then be worn when nursing, as the draping fabric could cover things that one might not want the world to see (that's just me- I'm private about nursing Henry when I really shouldn't feel that way, I know).  Uses Malabrigo Sock, but could sub Lorna's Laces.  SO FRICKEN CUTE.  Also by Joji Locatelli, Spring Showers, shown below. This would be in the Sportmate, as it calls for Malabrigo Arroyo, also a sport weight yarn. Adorable.

This pattern uses Solemate, which has a bit of a sheen to it.

Multnomah is simple and looks great with hand dyed yarn.

This lattice lace version of the super popular Wingspan would break up the color nicely.

I knit this drop stitch scarf using Tanis Fiber Arts Purple Label in Olive, and it would be a fun knit in any yarn.  Very easy knit and would show off the colors of Lorna's Laces really nicely.

Finally, the pattern I really think shows off the long swaths of color Lorna's Laces typically applies to their multicolor yarn, Strandwanderer. Photo shown above courtesy of Alita Casey.  According to Alita,  her project is knit using a bit less than one skein of Lorna's Laces Shepherd Sock in Unicorn Parade (a color that is sold out right now) and I think it would look super in the Christmas at Downton colorway.

Whew!  So much inspiration!  I hope you see something that makes you want to cast on with the new Christmas at Downton or another fab hand dye.

Lorna's Laces- Christmas at Downton

Leave it to Lorna's Laces to create a tribute to Downton Abbey that already has knitters clammoring to get it on their needles.  I have for you the newest special selection from the Chicago dyer, Christmas at Downton.  If you are as addicted to this drama as I am, you know you can't live without this.

I have it for you in Shepherd Sock (above), Solemate and Sportmate (below). 

Want some pattern suggestions for this romantic take on jewel-tones?  I'm often asked for patterns that break up the long splashes of color in the way Lorna's Laces dyes, and here are ones that I think would be fabulous for Shepherd Sock: Spring Foward from Knitty, Lizard Ridge by Alexandra Walters, Aquaphobia Socks by Crystal Flanagan.

And if you want some stripey goodness on your needles, the three Poste Yarn Valentine colors are now available-and with names!  Thank you so much for your wonderful suggestions for how to name these colorways.  All three names came from you all, and you can bet I'll be asking for your input in the future.

Your ideas, please

Want to helps us out in naming the new Poste Yarn colors?  These Valentine-inspired colors all need names, and my mind must be on a Monday morning break 'cuz I got nuthin'.  What do you think?  Keep in mind that Poste Yarn colors are given names that reference destinations, as in Garden District, Broad Ripple, Chicagoland.

I would love to read what you think of when you see these colors, which will be available in the next day or so.  Please inspire me and I may choose your idea.

"Valentine 1" colors: Espresso, Deep Rose, Peach

"Valentine 2" colors: Black, Silver, Red Violet

"Valentine 3" colors: Pink, Red

Arctic Qiviut Sock Yarn

Oh, the qiviut.  It is worth the wait.

It's been a year since I've had this in stock, so if you have been waiting to knit yourself some many-times-warmer-than-wool-and-super-soft socks, your wait is over!  I've only had Arctic Qiviut's Sock Yarn in stock once before- it took years for me to find a reliable source.

Want to know more about qiviut?  Here's what Arctic Qiviut has to say about their prized yarn:

Qiviut is the delicate underwool of the Arctic muskox. It is one of the most sought after fibers in the world because of its rarity, softness and warmth. Qiviut is softer than cashmere and is light as a feather. It’s an insulating fiber and is comfortable to wear in any climate.

Qiviut is eight times warmer than sheep wool. 100% qiviut is non-shrinkable, non-felting and safe for people who suffer from sheep wool allergies. Unlike wool, qiviut is not scratchy. The more you handle and wash qiviut, the softer it feels.

The price isn't inexpensive, but it's definitely something I'm glad to have on my "I've knit that" list.  Wonderful stuff.  My socks, one shown above, were knit in the Midnight Sun colorway- a dyelot from about 18 months ago, so while it doesn't look like the Midnight Sun skeins pictured on our website (which are accurate for the skeins you would receive), it gives you a nice idea of how the colors would knit up.  A nice color distribution.  I was able to knit a pair of size 10-11 socks with a 6" leg for myself, and while I've only been able to wear them twice (one is on display in the store), I found them soft and warm and they didn't make my feet sweaty at all. 

Here's a closeup of the lovely fiber.

Most of the colors of this sold out in a few days when I last had it in stock, so I don't recommend waiting too long to decide on the color of your choice.  It could be many months before it is available again.

New Poste Colors

Did you happen to see the two new Poste Yarn colors?

First, Chicagoland, is a navy/orange stripe that I have had many requests for.  Seems there are a lot of Bears fans out there!

Second, Garden District, which was a happy accident when testing out something else we were doing up for later this year.  The color combo isn't a typical one, but it looks really wonderful (especially in person) and so I felt compelled to add it to the lineup- and snag one for myself.  It's such a vibrant kick of color.

I will have three new Valentine-inspired colors for you in a week or so, and while I'm sure they will sell quickly, we'll dye as much as we can.

Because a week or so ago I annouced that the Poste Yarn holiday colors were leaving for many months, we had so many orders that we shoved everything else aside a dyed another batch of each to keep up.  So if you were one who was hoping to snag a holiday color like Christmas Island, Holiday FL, Island of Misfit Toys or Chestnut Hills, I do have a few more of each.  But then once gone, it could be many months or a year til available again.  All shown below.

Also coming soon?  A tribute to Downton from one of our favorite dyers.  Details to come.

Black Trilium Fibre Studio

Melanie Dilworth of Black Trillium Fibre Studio is just one of the many small dyers I'm proud to offer at Simply Socks Yarn Company.  As many of you have noticed over the past year or so of having her squishy skeins in the store, her colors are dynamic yet wearable, and the bases she chooses are comfortable on the skin and hold up well.  Black Trillium's Merilon (merino/nylon) is one of those rare hand dyed yarns that I would be comfortable gifting to someone who doesn't know how to properly care for hand knits.  While it might not hold up to washing and drying with towels like Opal and Trekking do, it certainly can tolerate machine washing and drying without being destroyed in the process.

I received a new batch of Melanie's Merilon and Pebble recently, and here's what you can find for now, keeping in mind when I received the last batch a few months ago, several colors were nearly snatched up immediately.  Trinity, the merino/cashmere/nylon, isn't available anymore, so what you see is all I can get.

In Pebble, Brindle, a color that is tame enough for a color-shy man like my husband, but still a fun knit for me.

Beach Glass in Merilon.  Which, if you'd read this blog long you know this is the type of color I go for.  Green/blue.

For those of you who are energized by blue-tinged-purples, Night Blooming Flower in Pebble.

If you are looking for something cheery this time of year, take a look at Robin's Egg Blue in Merilon

And Watermelon, in Merilon, is a reminder that as wintery as it is, summer is only a few months away.

For those of you waiting to hear about the winners of the recent contests, it's a (wonderfully) busy time of year so I haven't yet found the time to finish the contest.  I hope to do so in a week or so, so please continued to check back.

Winter greens?

Everything is still covered in white snow. Beautiful, but bleak. When the landscape is covered in white, the color that gets me out of a funk is green. Gorgeous, vibrant green, like this skein of Sweet Georgia BFL Sock.
What color brightens your day when you need a little pick me up?

First week, balance

Five years ago, one of the things I tried to give my life was balance.  My life consisted of working and baby time.  Not much time with Joe, and even less time with friends and family.  After half a decade, I feel like I am starting to get that balance right.  Of course, since this week really only consisted of three work days, I think that maybe the only way to have it all is for all of us to work half weeks!

Time spent with my mom and Henry.  Henry's wearing a hat that I wore as a kid.  My grandmother, Eloise, knit that and it was one that was itchy but kept me and my siblings warm when playing long hours out in the snow.  Obviously, Henry has a big head if he is wearing a child's sized hat!

Henry tried avocado for the first time.  He didn't really appreciate it much.

Joe had the week off, so he met me for lunch several times.  Shown above is my plate of tastiness from Taj Mahal, a local indian place that has a fabulous lunch buffet.  I love the creamed spinach with cheese.

After one of our lunches, we went to 'S Wonderful, a place that I would describe as upscale upcycle.  Super cool stuff, and while I seriously considered buying those doors for our foyer as an early 35th birthday present to myself, they were way too big.  And pricey.  But they are oh so wonderful.

I hope you had a great first week of 2013!

Knitting Resolutions

Do you make a knitting resolution each year?  Some of us thrive on challenges, while some of us instead choose not to impose vague standards on our craft.  Which type are you?

I like a good challenge.  But I'm the type of person who won't take on something that I know is fruitless or nearly impossible.  So I set reachable goals for myself.  Like this year I would like to be healthier and I would like to have more fun.  Both things I think I can definitely accomplish and have a good time doing.  I don't have a negative feeling about either of these things.

As far as my knitting goes, I seem to give myself yearly goals or "resolutions" too.  In 2010, I knit only for myself- treating myself to my talents and filling my own sock drawer with much needed matching pairs of fibery goodness.  I'm still reaping the rewards of that, with many a pair of wonderful socks, though I did knit just ONCE for someone else that year.  In 2012, I tried to learn patience, and I think that having a baby and five year old around day after day as greatly helped with this lesson.

In 2013, I look forward to knitting for others again.  Others who I think will truely appreciate my time and effort.  It's not that I don't think that most of the people in my life would appreciate a hand knit gift, I just want to concentrate on my husband, my sons, and a few very generous friends who make my life great.  I'm being realistic- I know I don't have a lot of time to finish projects right now, so I want to knit for just a few.

Do you have a knitting resolution this year?  Do tell. 

Dream Club, Jan 2013

Dream in Color certainly didn't disappoint with their first Dream Club offering of 2013.  This cool and wearable multicolor is dyed on a specially milled merino/silk/cashmere/mohair sport weight blend and is accompanied by this adorable tam pattern designed by Jessica Correa.  The fiber combo is the same as the rich one-ply from December, but it's a multi-ply sport weight.  So if you received the December skein and adore the feel, this one is also for you.  If you missed out on the December selection b/c of the hustle of the season, e-mail me for possible extras.

I think this color combo would be flattering to my pale, rosy skin tone, so it's something I could wear as a scarf or cowl too.  So if you want to knit something other than this lovely hat or maybe some mitts, you might want to grab more than one.