Simply Socks Yarn Co. Blog

American BRAND Yarn

If you are looking for something really special, something that is USA made from sheep to skein, I have something really cool for you.  American B.R.A.N.D (born. raised. and. naturally. dyed) is produced entirely in the US, and the dye is even naturally derived.

It's not just about being American made, really.  It's really about having less impact and waste overall, regardless of what country the goods are produced in.  Opal has their version in Schafpate- German wool, German produced.  Much of the yarn we knit has been in three different countries before we knit it.  The sheep could be in Australia, then the wool may also travel to China and UK for the superwash process and to be spun, then it finally comes to a US distributor, and then to a yarn store.  Heck, the skein of yarn I'm knitting right now has seen more of the world than I have!

When a skein is produced from sheep-to-skein in one country, there's so much less travel and impact on the environment.  For those of us who consider our choices and how they affect those around us, it's nice to have a new offering.

The wool is sourced from Rambouillet flocks that graze in pastures from Montana to Texas.  The yarn is spun in Pennsylvania and dyed in North Carolina.  And the palette comes from using only natural materials which include indigo, cochineal, gall nuts, pomegranate, cutch, walnuts, madder root, weld flowers and rhubarb root.  The colors are very rich and vibrant, which is something I wasn't expecting from that type of dye.  The texture of the yarn is also something that was surprising- there's almost a "grab" to the yarn- I can tell just by feeling it that I would knit it on metal needles and not wood- the slick metal would allow it to slide off the needles easier than the wood, which would just make it somewhat "sticky" if you get my meaning.  I can't tell if this is because of the type of wool used in the skein, or if the superwash process (what allows the wool to be machine washable without felting) is different here in the US than China or elsewhere.  I have a call into the company about this, but I haven't heard back yet.  I like the texture of the yarn very much, I'd just be interested in knowing exactly what makes it feel "stickier" than other yarns I'm familiar with.

The price of American B.R.A.N.D is slightly higher than other wool/nlyon blends available right now.  It retails right under $30 a skein, which is higher than a comparable blend like Manos Alegria (also a great superwash wool/nylon) which sells for $24.25.  My assumption is that the cost is directly related to developing a completely new type of base yarn and the work that went into creating a new work flow and sources so that the product could be all American made.  I know that it's also more labor intensive (and often requires a lot more time to heat set and more water and rinsing) to dye with natural or plant dyes.

I'm really pleased to be able to offer this line in the shop, and I think you'll see a trend in others following suit- perhaps not all USA made all the time, but certainly other large companies moving toward a locally-sourced (even if local is Peru or Germany or Canada) or local from start to finish.  Dream in Color now sources much of their fiber and milling here in the states, and soon I'll be carrying yet another option that is USA made from sheep to skein.

One of ten thousand

There are ten thousand things about motherhood that are awesome.  And there are another ten thousand that are difficult- the kind of difficult that you wonder how everyone does it.  One of those things?  Caring for kids when you're sick.  Not just stuffy-nosed-sick, but the coughing-kind where you can barely function, let alone keep a busy, running 13-month old from putting his plastic keys in a light socket.

I'm having one of those weeks here (oh, who am I kidding, I'm on week three) and I just wonder how everyone does this!  It seems dumb to just complain "Kids are HARD!", but oh, it's the truth.  Especially babies- you can't use the TV to occupy then when you are at your worst.

Having kids five years apart, you get use to how easy kids are, compared to babies.  Six year olds are a vacation compared to a baby, aren't they?  Yes, they can argue and complain, but they also go to the bathroom on their own, occupy themselves, feed themselves, can tell you what's right/wrong....  but look at this face... man, it's adorable.

What did/do you do to keep your sanity when you were sick with kids?  Call your mom to help?  Have your husband stay home from work?  Put out a bowl of Cheerios and let them take care of themselves?  I'm at a loss here.

I keep thinking that I feel tons better than I did a week ago, but there's the lingering tail-end of bronchitis that just makes it feel never-ending.  Ugh.  Welcome to my pity party.

Poste Yarn, Patina... and a contest

I'm happy to announce the release of our newest Poste Yarn.... here's Patina!

What's in a name?  Patina seemed like the perfect name for this line, as the marriage of color and fiber creates a burnished look on the skein.  First, we start with the properties of the fiber combo of the skein- the superb dye absorbtion of the wool and add the reflective property of the tencel.  Just the right amount of tencel so that the color remains very, very rich but also has a slight luster.  Then the colors are layered on just so, creating a shadow and light effect.  A perfect marriage of fiber and dyeing technique, if you ask me.  Of course, I'm biased.  The creation of this line was partially a selfish endeavor- as my kids get older I have more time to knit more complicated sock patterns again, and I wanted line of tonal solids that would have a depth of color but wouldn't interfere with more complicated designs.  This is also a consistent request from knitters like you- colors that stand on their own (give a try to Embossed Leaves socks, Beneficent Baby Sweater or Hermione's Everyday socks, while also looking fabulous when combining in popular projects like the Color Affection, Stripe Study or Happy Street.

Here are a few of my fave Patina combos right now: Antelope Canyon, El Dorado, Lake Hillier

Atlantis, Hanging Gardens, Jodhpur India

Angkor Wat, Taj Mahal, St. Basil's

Take a look at the 13 colors currently being dyed, and I'm betting you'll find something to excite you.  The feedback I've gotten from those who took part in the Test Kitchen collection (where you got to try three skeins for a discounted price) was very positive.  Rachael, Heather and I (your SSYC Team) have all knit this, and we already have more skeins picked out for our second (and in my case, third) projects, and I'll soon share with you what we've knit up in this.

Til then, take a look at the collection, and let me know what pattern you're considering knitting in the comments below.  Leave one comment before 5pm on Friday, August 30 and you comment might be the one randomly chosen to receive three skeins of your choosing.  Edited to add: I'm extending the contest through Friday September 6, and choosing TWO winners of three skeins each.

Thank you for your continued support of my shop over the past eight years.  You've allowed this once-run-from-a-tiny-bedroom shop to grow based on what you desire in a yarn shop, and I'm happy to be a part of it.  I'm going to continue to listen to you and what you want SSYC to be- you haven't led me wrong yet!

Oh, Hello There

Say hello to new Alegria colors in Manos Del Uruguay.

Colibri

Fondo Del Mar

Macachines

Maiz

Otono

I see a color there for every season, don't you?  And I have more of the very popular bright colors like Locura Fluo and Candombe.

What's up next?  Tomorrow I release the new Patina line from our Poste Yarn!  I'm really excited to share these colors with you.  I've received helpful and encouraging feedback from those of you who ordered Test Kitchen sets, and I'm proud of the colors we designed.  You can get yours tomorrow.

Seriously, Sweet Georgia???

Ugh. I wish Felicia would stop dreaming up these awesome colors and shipping them to me.

Well, I don't really wish that, but my wallet does.  

I mean, really?  These takes on jewel tones are so awesome and saturated with color that I'm having a hard time resisting.  I'm sure I'll spend the better part of the weekend thinking about them.

Grouse, Phoenix Rising and Tea Party all shown here in CashLuxe Fine, but also available in Tough Love.

Really, I'm knitting

Little by little, I'm reclaiming my own life, after having another baby last year.  It has taken a year, but I've started to carve away more and more time....

oh, wait, I've just been interrupted by a certain 6 year old who wants to know if he gets the iPad back since he lost it yesterday because he snuck it into his room at 4:30 and played for nearly 3 hours before school when he should have been sleeping...

So, back to that "me time" that I was referencing... Ahem.  With each passing week, I get another minute or two to knit or cook or do something that I wasn't able to do 6 months ago.  Babies are just so labor intensive, or perhaps it's just that I like just hanging out and being with the boys, that I just don't make time for the things that I use to make time for.  But serious knitting is back on my radar, and so I hope to show you more finished projects as the year progresses.  I'm still not back to the knitting-gifts-for-Christmas place that I was in six years ago, but I do hope to make it there again.  Right now, I'd be happy to just finish a pair of socks or a hat for James or Henry or Joe.

Below is one Embossed Leaves sock (the other is in progress) knit with Cascade Heritage Silk in Blood Orange.  Have you knit the Embossed Leaves sock pattern yet?  If not, I highly recommend it.  I first knit it when it was in Interweave Magazine several years ago.  Then I purchased Interweave's book Favorite Socks, and it was in the book.  Then I had to purchase the single pattern from the designer on Ravelry a couple months ago because I misplaced BOTH the magazine AND the book.  So I now own three copies of the pattern.  Jeez.

Below is one of my Patina socks (the newest collection from Poste Yarn, being released next week), also knit with the Embossed Leaves sock pattern.  Did I mention that I like it?  Kind of a lot?  The photo below shows the yarn to bit a bit more blue than it actually is and I adore this color.  One of the perks of designing your own yarn line is that you can make what you like.  Thankfully, I have a team that is great at executing my wants!

Below is the second sock in a pair that I'm test knitting.  It's the Hermione Everday sock pattern.  Very simple.  The yarn is a bfl/silk/cashmere blend that I'm considering for the shop.  The blend is certainly luxurious and will make wonderful socks as well as garments/shawls/etc.

Finally, this will be the next yarn I'm casting on as soon as I'm finished with my green socks.  I'm not a monogamous knitter.  I always have several projects on the needles, with one project even being 6 years old.  For some people, this can be stressful.  But for me, it doesn't matter to me how many projects I have working at once.  I don't find it stressful at all, and in fact, I find it's helpful to have several.  That way, I have one for whatever suits my mood/location/activities.

Hundreds of packages... on their way all over the world!

Thank you very much for giving us such a busy week here.  All the Summer Breeze kits you ordered are now on their way to you!  The kits sold out very quickly (the daisy bag option in just two hours) and if you are one who missed out, please e-mail service@simplysockyarn.com (if you already have, please don't e-mail again) for possible waitlisting.

I received many e-mails and calls this time (more than usual) about the kits selling out so quickly.  There were many questions, and I thought it might help to address these questions here again.  I hope this helps to alleviate frustration about not being able to purchase a kit.

Can I get more kits so they don't sell out so quickly?  I'd love to!  I'd love to make more people happy and sell more kits, but there's a limit to how many pieces I can have made because many parts (sometimes all) are hand made.  Each takes time and each artisan also has other shops and accounts to maintain.  One option is designing more kits throughout the year, or offering other special collections like we did last month with the Poste Patina Test Kitchen Sets.  That way, you might miss out on a fast-selling kit, but can snag another special package.

Can you put the kits up for sale later in the day because I live in another time zone/can't shop at work/ don't check my e-mail that early?  Usually, no.  I start walk into the shop at 8:30 EST, and that's typically when the kits will continue to go up for sale because that's when I can answer your e-mail questions/calls/maintain the website.  We work normal business hours, and I'm not able to work into the evening, as I have little ones to care for.  But I completely understand your point and I'll continue to give this some thought so that everyone may be happy.

Can you give me more notice on exactly when the kits will go up for sale so I can get ready to click?  I'll give that a try.  In the past, I have been able to give a few days notice, without being able to tell you exactly when the kits will be live.  There are many factors that go into the sale date of the kits and collections and lots of balls to juggle. 

When is the next kit going up for sale?  As usual, we will be doing a Halloween Kit with some fun and spooky items.  We also design a Christmas kit and I'm sure there will be at least one other special offering in 2013 as well.  The best way to ensure getting a kit is to watch the blog and Facebook, as notification happens here on the blog usually an hour before e-newsletters are sent.  It's just a nice perk of reading the blog regularly.

If you have any other questions or suggestions, please leave me a comment below or e-mail me at service@simplysockyarn.com .  I'm here to do what I can to fuel your passion for your craft and serve you in whatever way I can.

Summer Breeze Kit Now Available

The Summer Breeze Sock Kit is available with a striped bag, or a daisy bag!  Choose the one you'd like, or choose both if you'd like extra for yourself or for a knitting friend (the bag alone is awesome for so many things- knitting projects, make up bag, travel bag, small diaper carrier).  To learn a bit more of the details of the kit, just go to this blog post that I wrote last week.

As is common with our kits, they can sell out quickly.  Our 8th Anniversary Kit sold out in less than five hours.  If you get the dreaded "no products found" message at the links for the striped-bag or flowered-bag kits, then you know they are gone (perhaps try the other if the one you initially wanted is gone).  I know it can be disappointing (I can't remember the last time I even secured a kit for myself!), but there are only only a few hundred available in most cases.  Afterall, there are laws against chaining a  yarn dyer up in one's basement and forcing her to work at all times.  At least that's what I'm told...

If you miss out and would like to be put on a list for possible extras, just e-mail service@simplysockyarn.com.  If people accidentally order more than they like, sometimes we have an extra.

You are welcome to add other items to this order, so you might check out the new Madelinetosh colors in Pashmina or DK or Tosh Sock, the Miss Babs in Cosmic or Tarte.  I also received a new shipment of CashLuxe from Sweet Georgia with my all time favorite color, Dutch.  It's a crazy AH-MAZE-ING orange.  That way you can take advantage of free US shipping with $85 orders, or pack as much into our flat rate international shipping as you'd like.

Upcoming SSYC Summer Kit

It's back-to-school time, and why should kids get all the new tools and?  We adults deserve a little treat now and then, and this fun summer sock kit definitely qualifies.  A brightly colored bag, sparkley yarn, and useful treats...

The SSYC Summer Kit (only the second time I've done a summer theme) will be available in a few days (likely Monday or Tuesday), and here's your chance to preview what's in it and decide if you want to get your mouse-finger ready.  You get to choose between two different bags- one flowered and one striped (or get both!), and the yarn and accessories shown below.  I anticipate the price of the kit to be right around $60.

The bags are water resistant, which is great for doing some beach knitting, taking to a game or movie and sitting them on the ground, or keeping your project safe from your messy boys (I can relate).  I also really like that the fabric is thicker than hand made bags that usually use quilting cotton- many needles are REALLY sharp (the new Kollages, for example) and they can poke through two layers of fabric, even reinforced.  AND there are three zippered pockets in this bag.  The main, large zippered compartment, a small zippered pouch inside the bag, and the small zippered pocket you see in the front-outside of the bag.  Such a useful bag!

Erica at Fiddle Knits has designed a special edition colorway that reminds me of a busy beach landscape covered with umbrellas and blankets.  Certainly fits the name Beach Blanket, right?

I found a really great artisan this year who makes custom wood needle gauges and I asked her to make one specially for us for this kit.  Isn't this adorable?  Keep in mind this is a close up picture and the finished projects is smaller than it appears here.  Perfect for attaching to your keychain or your new project bag.

And the back-to-school tool that every knitter can use- Chibi needles.  This set is sure to come in handy.  I like to have several sets in various places/bags so I always have one when I need it.

I'll post when the kits go live, and I'll also send out an e-newsletter.  I really enjoyed putting this together, as it's only the second time I've done a summer kit (and the last one was at least three years ago, for Labor Day).  The colors are right up my alley and, well, I adore stripes and sparkles.

Opal Sock Yarn, Little Prince Collection

Opal's newest collection is one that I've already received many inquiries about- Little Prince.  I anticipate having it in stock in early September, and if you'd like to preorder the entire collection, you can do so now.  I've done this twice in the past for Opal collections (for Harry Potter and Van Gogh, both wildly popular and quick to go), and it's a good way for you to make sure you get the yarn you want and you also get 10% off the already lower SSYC prices and free US shipping.  

Space for the preordered collection is limited, so if the link gives you the dreaded "no products found', that's why.  By ordering now, you pay now to save your space, and the order will actually ship in early September.  

I think these colors are adorable and sweet, don't you?  I see at least three that I will snag for myself.  If you don't want to purchase the whole collection, then you can buy singles when the yarn is available in early September.  Singles are not available for preorder.

Madelinetosh Fall 2013 Colors

I have for you all the Madelinetosh Fall 2013 colors (ten) in Pashmina (shown below), Tosh DK, and Tosh Sock (Merino Light will be available soon).  I also have restocks in some of your faves and even more Pashmina- over 50 colors!

If you were waiting for sweater quantities of Madelinetosh, now's your chance to grab what you need.  There are some fab colors for sweaters, especially for someone like me who likes to play it super safe with grays.  Take a look at Faded Parka, Dirty Panther, Ink, Dr. Zhivago's Sky, Manor, Jasper, and Rainwater if you're the safe type, but like a little bit of color to it.

If you are the bold type, like everyone else here but me, consider Coquette, Button Jar Blue, Courbet's Green, Robin Red Breast, Esoteric, Leaf Baroque Violet and Vishnu.  Oh, how I love Vishnu.  There are colors for everyone right now!

Overheard in the shop today....

"I'm totally going over there to touch Miss Babs...."

and...

"Oh, no, don't make me put my hands all over Miss Babs..."

and

"Miss Babs should be scared of how much I like this."

and

"When I show up at her booth on Saturday (Michigan Fiber Festival in Alleghan), she's gonna have to call security."

Heather's quite in luuuuurve with Miss Babs today.  I guess it's a good thing that we just got in a ridiculously awesome shipment from her, both in her Cosmic and Tarte bases.  It's been quite a while since I've gotten a shipment from Babs, who is usually super busy dyeing yarn for her following at fiber festivals.  So glad she made time for us in her dye schedule, aren't you?

Family vacation

Last week I closed up shop (the online portion, at least) and took a week away with family.  It's been such a fast-paced year that I think it was a really good thing for me to just turn off the computer and phone and spend time completely alone with my little family.  I love what I do, and I can honestly say that I'm happy to be back at work, but vacation was like a wonderful breath of fresh air (beachy, amazing air).

Here are the boys in front of the cottage we enjoyed for a week and the porch that I sat on every nap time and evening with my sock-in-progress.

I knew we came to the right place when we saw yarn bombing on a post in Sutton's Bay.  Each little figure is wearing a hat, and the post is adorned with it's own cabled wrapping!

Here are the little men in my life, being beach bums.  Look at Henry's belly!  That's a nearly 30 pound 13-month-old baby!  It's still a surprise to me that I get any work done with how often he eats.  I tell my new-mom friends that you really will spend 7-8 hours a day feeding a baby for the first few months- either nursing or bottle feeding. Both take so much time (and the cuddling, of course).

Here's James enjoying the best food we had during the whole week at Slabtown Burgers.  What a gem, this place.  Delicious burgers, fries and shakes in Traverse City, Michigan.  It doesn't get any better.

And when we returned, the family time didn't stop, as Joe and James camped in the back yard last night.  One last hurrah before the summer ends.  I just joined for s'mores.

Now it's back to the shop (YAY!) and James starts school tomorrow.  I now have a grade schooler.  We've shopped for supplies, made a list of the food James wants in his lunches, and now I can go cry in my morning coffee just thinking about it...

Instead, I'll try and think about all the new yarn that arrived while I was away.  New colors of Lorna's Laces, Fiddle Knits, Miss Babs, Madelinetosh....  I'll spend the next couple days taking photos and putting the yarn up on the website for you.  Some really beautiful things... plus a fun summer kit!

Summer Break

Simply Socks Yarn Company's web store will be closed from August 2 through August 11.  If you're reading this, that means that you happened to visit our website during the one week a year I "close" the online shop to be with family before school starts (yeah, you got me, last year I took 6 weeks, but that was special... it takes time to grow a family).

What does this mean to you?  If you place an order on the website August 2-11, I anticipate shipping to resume on the 12th.  If you e-mail or call, those messages will also be returned once we "reopen."  

Want to visit the shop in person during this time?  Please do!  Heather, Rachael and Angela will be here to help you during our regular once-a-week shopping hours.  Those are Saturday, August 3 from 10-4 and Tuesday August 6 from 10-4.  They can show you all the new yarn that has arrived (Madelinetosh's new colors!), and tease you about what's to come... a summer kit, anyone?!  They will also be busy packing dyeing/tagging/shipping all those Poste Patina Test Kitchen orders that you placed last week.

Thank you for your patience as I take some time to be with family.  Henry and James are growing up so quickly and am going to savor every hour of this time off with them.  And Joe too- I shouldn't forget about my husband!

Photo taken by Keepsake Portraits and Design

When I return from break, I have some great things to share.  There's new yarn from Madelinetosh and Lorna's Laces, and even a summer kit.  I have to keep my mind off the fact that my baby is starting kindergarten afterall.  And we will be releasing the whole line of Patina in late August, so if you missed out on the Test Kitchen offer, you'll be able to snag skeins of this new line then. Have a great week!