Simply Socks Yarn Co. Blog

Wanton Fibers

When our daily shipments arrive, Heather or Rachael are usually the ones unpacking, gawking, then displaying the yarn in the shop.  They pull one skein of each color so that I can photo it and get it ready for you on the website, and set the to-photo box aside for me so that I can do my part.  Ever since I started photographing Wanton Fiber's Minx and Comrade earlier this week, I've been looking forward to sharing the pictures with you.  With each image I captured, I thought of many of you and who I think will choose what colors.  They are stunning.  The type of stunning that makes you knit outside your normal crayon-box-of-colors.  I sure did.

Minx Sock in Chainmail

I've been looking forward to my first packages from Wanton Fibers for months now.  I tested Rachel's yarn (the most luxurious sock base, of course, just to do my job right.  heh.) and completed a pair in the Minx Sock in Entangled.  Adore.  Of course, I immediately ordered some for everyone, as well as her Comrade Sock.

Shown below, Minx Sock in Cerise.  Click to get a detailed close up.

Here are my randomly listed thoughts about my experience with Minx Sock.

When the samples arrived, my first thought was "Well, which test knitter should I pass this along to?" And then I selfishly thought, "Well, this is such a nice fiber blend, and the color is totally outside my color box of blues and greens.  Perhaps I should knit it myself???"  Yes, yes I should.

I cast on for the Hermione Everday socks, and I really like how the fabric started to knit up.  A little bit of unpredictable layering of color combined with a pebbley pattern made for a lovely combo.  I've been too busy showing off the socks to take a finished pic though.

The yarn wound perfectly, I found no snags, knots or nubby bits in the skein, and I found this immensely pleasing.  I haven't knit with a BFL, silk, cashmere blend before, and I wasn't sure how it would knit up or wear.  So far so good though.  

Minx Sock in Verdigris

As far as care goes, my Minx socks do require more special care than I usually give my hand knits.  I machine wash (flat dry) nearly everything I make, and these won't ever see the inside of a machine.  Only my sink.

Minx Sock in Ravished

Minx Sock is on the pricier end of for single-skein-sock projects, but it's definitely worth it.  And if you'd prefer to use your skein for something like a shawl or lace, I think it would look amazing.  Even with Rachel's more striking color combos, the colors are married in such a way that they would look wonderful in a large piece.  And for those of you who like to choose more subtle, pale tones, there are several of those as well.

All in all, a wonderful choice for those who want to knit a unique fiber combo, or those who really can't resist these colors.  I know I couldn't.  And if you'd like to experience similar colors in a less unique fiber combo, and less costly, consider Comrade Sock.  

Treats for all of us

Why should our wee ones get all the treats for Halloween?  Treat yourself to something awesome at SSYC, and a great deal too.

You might have snagged one of the Trio sets at 35% off a couple days ago.  Now you can also grab some single skeins (50 grams each) of this same Fleece Artist Merino DK at 30% off!  I have a 10 colors for you in the Sale Section.  These can be used for oh-so-many projects from baby hats from full-sized sweaters.  At just $7 a skein, I'm betting you'll find many uses for these.

Here are the ideas that I'm considering for my skeins.

Honey Cowl, two or more skeins (I like Salt Spray and Pumpkin for this)

The Age of Brass and Steam, two skeins (I like Stardust and Brew for this)

A Grey Loop would rock three or four skeins in any color.

Boneyard Shawl, six skeins (maybe Beet.  Or Beet and Tourmaline, or Nightshade and Pumpkin)

OMG Adorable Helena baby sweater.  Photo with permission of designer Alison Green, with photographer Cheryl Francis.  Requires four to six skeins; Salt Spray, Cactus Flower and Beach House would all be adorable and pale enough to really show off the pattern nicely.

Want a baby blanket that doesn't break the bank?  Eight skeins would make a nice Leafy Baby Blanket.

How about a cardigan?  Rachael (on the right) wore her Effortless Cardigan today to work (yes, we are dressed for Halloween!), and you could knit a gorgeous one with eight or more skeins.

Or, try Peasy.  Has a nice bit of detail without a lot of fuss.  Photo used with permission of Heidi Kirrmaier.

And with leftover partial skeins, you could have a bunch of Basic Baby Hats at the ready for those special new ones in our lives.

We are nearing the end of 2013, so I think this is the last 35th-Anniversary-Celebratory-Deal from Fleece Artist.  I've carried Kathryn-and-team's lovely work since the beginning (so 8.5 years) and I look foward to working with them for many more!

I'm back at it

Ravelling, that is.  Or Ravelrying.  Or Ravel-ry-ing.  Or, well, whatever.

Whatever you want to call it, I've found time to put a few of my recently completely projects onto my proect page on Ravelry, which is something I haven't done consistently for years.  There's still a several year gap of no projects, but perhaps one day that will be remedied.  What have I started or completed recently?  My Sockhead hat in Blue Moon Fiber Arts, Socks that Rock, in color Free Range Chickens.  Right now, I can sell this yarn only in our storefront, but I look forward to a time next year when I can share it with everyone online as well.  (There are some special opportunites coming up this year still where everyone can snag special offerings to us from Tina and Crew-can't wait to share those with everyone.)

Opal Rainforest 9 socks in 7471.

My Gaptastic Cowl using the Fleece Artist bulky weight Jana from the sale section (I still have a couple colors there if you're interested in snagging two to do the same.)  I do have yarn for one more of these cowls, and since it's a three-evening proect, it's quite satisfying.  But I find size 11 needles to be unwieldy.  I feel like a little kid learning to knit, fumbling with stitches when I knit with needles that large.  I MUCH prefer knitting with US 1 needles.

My one-row-lace scarf using Zen Yarn Garden's Serenity 20.  A finished gift for someone for Christmas.

And, finally, the Trekking XXL socks that have sparked more interested in this yarn than I've seen since their Brach's candy colorway, color 534.  Which I had bags of and sold out in 24 hour (more coming later though, but it's all sold out in the US right now until more comes from Zitron).

I notice that all these projects are quite easy- like a vacation for my mind.  That's what I adore about my hobby (heck, it's a lot more than that though, isn't it?).  It's there for me when I want something to challenge my mind, and it's there for me when I'm exhausted from a long day of working/parenting/baby-snuggling/cooking.  I can read bedtime stories, give a bottle to Henry, sing songs, then still have enough brain power to watch Agents of SHIELD and let my fingers tink away and create something that was formerly just a piece of string.  For those of us who have an innate need to create, knitting gives us that satsifaction, even if we don't even have the energy to do more than brew a cup of decaf and sit down.  If you feel down, and don't feel like you're accomplishing what you should, knitting is a great way to have a sense of accomplishment, don't you think?

OMG, have you seen the Road Trip planner on Ravelry?  How did I not see this til now???

It's baaaaaack...

Many of you have been waiting for this colorway to come back and now it's here again.

I adore these socks.  And if I had cast on more stitches, I might keep them for myself.  But they are both too narrow and too short to be for me, so I must gift them to their intended recipient.  I know she'll really like these colors too.

I have a restock of many of the other new Trekking XXL colors (in the 500's are the newer ones) that you've been waiting to see again, after they sold quickly last month.  You'll also see more Zauberball (and Zauberball Crazy and Starke 6 ply) colors, as we have received some of the colors that we've been waiting months for. 

Now you have a wide array of colors to knit this!

Also available today, the Fleece Artist Trio's I post about yesterday. They are 35% off to celebrate Fleece Artist's 35th Anniversary, and can be found in the sale section.  There are three available color trios- Artic Trio, Puffin Trio and Jewel Trio.

Something Special from Fleece Artist

Throughout this year, we've offered you some really great deals as part of Fleece Artist's 35th anniversary celebration.  You may have been able to snag special yarn at a really nice price, if you got in quick enough.  So I thought it might be a good idea to give you a hint at what's coming very soon, so if you want to get some, you could give it some thought and be ready when it becomes available.

 

We've put together fun color collections of Fleece Artist Merino DK for you to knit winter accessory projects.

Each "Trio" includes 100g each of three different colors, three free pattern ideas (socks, hat, mittens), and they are all offered at 30% off the regular price.

And the three colors in each Trio look nice together so that if you wanted to, you could combine them into a larger project, or use extra bits for toes and heels, or coordinating brims of hats... the sky's the limit with ways to use these squishy skeins.

I anticipate having these available for you late this week or early next week and I'll definitely post here when they are ready. Which one is your fave?

Blue Moon Fiber Arts

Er. Mah. Goodness. It's here. Half of it at least.
If you're planning a trip to Fort Wayne to visit the shop in person, this Saturday would be the time to do it. Seriously worth the drive for this awesomeness.

Contest winners!

One of the fun things I like to do is give away free stuff once in awhile.  Sometimes my busy life gets in the way and I forget to annouce the winners of the contests in a timely manner.  So today, I'm announcing the recent three winners of the Great Divide shawl contest from a week ago and ALSO the two winners from the Patina contest from last month.

When asked the question about what two colors you might combine into a Great Divide shawl using either JDMS Hudson or Madelinetosh Tosh DK, the randomly-chosen winners said as follows...

Congrats to Anne who said: Hmmm either Hudson Amaranthine and Hiking Trail or Hudson Phthalo and Recess of the Soul. Or maybe both:)

Also to Tripless who said: You make me want to knit all the time....It's a very nice pattern, and the colors that aren't "matchy-matchy" are intriguing. In Tosh DK, I think I'd try Celadon and Wilted Rose. In Hudson, I think I'd love a Phthalo and Trio Electrico/Canoeing in Ipswich/Underwater Caving-- one of those. Oh, dear, I need to see to make these recipes!

And to Linda A. who said: Shawls have been my go to patterns for the last couple of years. WOW, this is tough but I would choose Tosh Foxglove and Paper.

Great color ideas for this Great Divide shawl!  Thank you to all who participated and to the three winners of the pattern.  All three of the winners have been e-mailed, so if you think this is you, check your Inbox.

And from the three-skeins of Patina contest from last month, the two  randomly-chosen-winners of three skeins of Patina are:

Jodie E, who said: I would knit the honey cowl in atlantis.

and Karen R. who said: I would love to knit a Brigit Cardigan by Vera Sanon in Atlantis. It would be so pretty with the cables.

It seems Atlantis is the color of choice today!  It definitely is one of the most popular colors that we see leave the store.  It sells much more in person than in the online store- perhaps it's one of those colors that needs to be seen in person to see the nuances in color.

Congrats to the winners from the recent contests, and THANK YOU to everyone who participates.  The more entries we get, the more fun it is, and the more ideas we all get for colors and projects.  I find some of my best inspiration from you all and your feed back.  Afterall, SSYC has grown over the past 8 years based on what YOU want as fiber artists- everything we are is because you've told or shown us what you want in a yarn store.

Zauberball Starke & the Ri-sing Shawl

Want a super addictive knit?  Choose two colors of Zauberball Starke with The Ri-SinG shawl and you're good to go.

Gorgeous, right? 

Photos courtesy of Simone Eich

These shawls are made using colors 2081 and 2095 of Zauberball Starke, which is a 6ply sock yarn that gradually stripes as you knit.

And the nice thing is that after making the first shawl, you have enough yarn left to make its twin by changing main color to contrasting color and vice versa.

Want to knit a fingering weight version?  I'd just choose two fingering weight colors and go down one needle size.  You'd have a slightly smaller shawl and many more color options.  You could use Lang's Jawoll Degrade, fingering weight Zauberball or Zauberball 100, or Sausalito (we just got in all the awesome new colors).

Of course you could also choose a striping yarn and then a contrasting solid, kind of like Heather used in her Prism shawl.

Opal's 9th Rainforest Collection

Opal has released it's 9th Rainforest Collection, eight colors that are vivid and gorgeous and do the work for you!  If you need a knitting mojo restarter, love self-patterning yarn, or want a great movie-night-knit, this is for you.  I started this sock the day after the yarn arrived, and finished half a leg while watching Hotel Transylvania with Joe and James the following day.  I adore self-patterning yarns for making my life simple.  Knit a plain ol' vanilla sock and allow the yarn to do the rest of the work.  You never have to look down.

Above is color 7471, and I'm betting I'll cast on color 7470 as soon as the ends are woven in.

I'm really enjoying (bordering on needy obsession) knitting self-patterning and self-striping yarn lately.  By the time the boys go to sleep at night and I get everything around for the next morning, my mind just wants to relax.  Enjoying a conversation with Joe or watching a TV show together while knitting something super simple has been very good for me.  I'm even gift knitting for the first time in years.  I haven't had time to do that for a long while, and I've given myself permission to knit simple, colorful items for people rather than try to impress them (or myself) with my knitting prowess.  I love that no matter where I am in life, knitting changes with me.  That it's there to be my meditation when I need that, or my challenge when I want that.  I think that's why knitting isn't just a fad- that it's a craft that sticks with us our whole lives, providing socks in the winter and baby sweaters for our wee ones.... whatever we need, whenever we need it.

The Irresistable Colors of The Unique Sheep

Columbus Day 24-hour Flash Sale!  Rowan is 30% off until 9am EST on Tuesday, Oct. 15.

I mean, really.  REALLY.  These color combinations are so fabulous that I'm trying to figure out how feasible it would be to get a babysitter just to go to the basement and knit.  

Kelly and Laura at the Unique Sheep have dyed for us some lovely color combinations in their Gradiance Sock Sets (which go with this pattern), and AND their Luxe sets.  What are the Luxe sets?  These are sets of 6 25g skeins, each individually dyed to work together in succession in a larger project.  150 grams of 25% silk, 75% merino yarn.  Gorgeous.

What could you make with these 6-skein sets? 

The Now in a Minute shawl by Brenda Dane.  You need one, or someone you love needs one, don't you think?  The pattern uses Enfys, with many other color options here.

You could also knit the beautiful Terraform pattern by Cheri McEwen.  Photos used with Cheri's permission

These sets are perfect for a) those of us who might find it difficult or stressful to choose colors to work together or b) those of us who purchase most of our stash online and don't trust our monitors to accurately display the nuances in color and c) when youjust can't resist something awesome.  Since these 6 skeins are dyed to work together, there's no worry about choosing colors that go together- the dyers did that for us!

Great Divide Shawl, Using Hudson by Jill Draper Makes Stuff

I'm quite enamoured with the new lines I'm adding to the shop this fall, as evidenced by yesterday's post.  Today, I have someone new to SSYC, the yarn of Jill Draper Makes Stuff.  Jill Draper has created a completely new product line, sourced from sheep to skein in the US.  The only other line I have that is completely US made (even the superwash process) is American BRAND, and that yarn isn't hand dyed in small batches.  Lovely stuff all the same, but not the way Jill Draper dyes her wares- her colorways are done just once, and then no more.  I think of it kind of like micro-brewing yarn.  Just one small batch, with its own nuances and unique traits, then no more.

I have for you Esopus Sock, a very generous 500 yard skein of fingering weight sock yarn for $23.  All US made, hand dyed yarn, delicious multicolors and solids for a very good price.  Shown below, Autumn's End.

I also have for you Hudson worsted, a 245 yard skein, perfect for cushy socks, quick-knit baby items, warm shawls and scarves, winter accessories... like the pattern I'm sharing below.... with a contest.  Shown below, Underwater Caving

Jill chose bold colors for our first batch of yarn.  All the colors look wonderful together splayed out on a table...

...or hanging on the wall...

...or in a Great Divide Shawl.  Shown below are three of designer Michele Brown's recent Great Divide shawls.  The first two are knit in Jill Draper's Hudson, and the third is in Madelinetosh's Tosh DK.  Right now, I have a wide array of colors in both.  Because Jill dyes in small batches, just choose two colors you like and go with it!  I think the shawl looks best when the colors are completely different.

Three photos below courtesy of Michele Brown

Is Michele not adorable?  I want her to come to my shop and hang out with me and wear cool accessories all day long.  I'm such a goober.  I need to get out more...

SSYC's shop manager, Heather, knit her Great Divide shawl in just one week (shown below), using two colors of Hudson.  She used Lemon Quartz and Slow Burn, two colors that don't coordinate, but do compliment each other in this shawl.  Come on in the shop and take a look in person, as we'll have it ondisplay throughout the fall and winter.

Want a chance and winning your own Great Divide shawl pattern?  Michele Brown is giving away three free patterns to randomly chosen SSYC commenters below.  Just tell me what two colors of either Hudson or Tosh DK that you would combine into your shawl.  Leave one comment below by 5pm on October 17, and I'll randomly choose three winners.  Please note, generic comments like "I like blue and yellow" don't qualify.  Please leave specific color names that you might like to use so that your choice might inspire others.

And if you already own the pattern, or want to start immediately, you can always gift your coupon code to a knitting friend!

Picture post

My week so far. Yarn. Yarn. Yarn. Yarn. Letting Henry use a spoon.
One of these things is decidedly moremessy than the other.

Once in a Blue Moon...

I've been a puddle of goo for well over a month now.  Sometimes, something so rare happens, something so awesome that one has been waiting for years to happen, that when it does it renders a yarn shop owner useless for a few days, or turns one into a puddle of goo for even longer.  Once in a blue moon, Tina Newton decides to share her wares with a yarn shop.  Our time has come, and you'll soon find Blue Moon Fiber Arts at Simply Socks Yarn Company.

Shown below, a skein of colorway Antiquated System, photo courtesy of BMFA

You might know Blue Moon Fiber Arts from the popular sock yarn, Socks that Rock.  Or you might know Tina because she was part of the Tina Newton/Yarn Harlot duo that started Sock Summit in 2009- a sock knitting convention (that I sponsored and travelled to with our booth- take a look here, here, or here for photos) that took over the entire Portland, OR convention center.  However BMFA came on your radar (perhaps you will first be introduced to their artistry in our next sock yarn club), it's a special thing to buy Tina's yarn in a local yarn shop, as it's a rare treat to see.  That I know of, there's only one other yarn shop that has her wares in the midwest, and it's a day's drive from here.  I've never been to a shop and seen her yarn, though I have seen her booth (with people lined up) at fiber festivals.  If you're in the midwest and you want Blue Moon Fiber Arts, Simply Socks Yarn Company is now the place to be!  I actually had to go back to IKEA (for the third time) to purchase MORE store fixtures to house all the new yarn I ordered.  Where exactly its going to fit (in the shot below) I haven't quite figured out yet...

 

In the near future, we will offer the wide array of colors of Socks that Rock Lightweight, Socks that Rock Heavyweight, Marine Silk Fingering weight and Marine Silk Lace Weight in our storefront on the select Tuesdays & Saturdays that we are open (scroll to the bottom of this page to see dates).  Are there other lines you'd like me to stock too?  Just let me know.  I look forward to a time when Tina's operation can dye for our online shop as well (which really is what SSYC is all about).  Til that time (keep fingers crossed for 2014), we have some special offerings to everyone from Tina coming up.  Did you sign up for the 11th SSYC Sock Yarn Club?  You might want to go ahead and do that.  Do you enjoy our special holiday kits?  Then keep an eye out via our e-newsletter.  Our busy store-open days are going to definitely become busier now that SSYC is the destination for those who adore BMFA.

Shown below, the team at BMFA that makes it all happen (photo courtesy of BMFA)

I like to think that the people I work with in the fiber industry are also people that I'd like to sit down with and break bread.  That if our families had a chance to sit at the same table and enjoy an evening, that it would be like reminising with old friends. I've known Tina Newton for five years, and like all the dyers I support, she's someone that I have great respect for, and I look forward to sharing her artistry (and the talent of her dedicated team) with you.  I look forward to sharing with you the special skeins she has planned for SSYC this winter, and a wide array of her fiber in the storefront.  And, selfishly, I can't wait to add to my Socks that Rock stash.

Shown below, the dye barn of BMFA.  Yarn hanging from the rafters.  My kind of place.  Photos courtesy of BMFA.

Want to be among the first to get Blue Moon Fiber Arts from SSYC?  I expect our shop order to arrive in a couple short weeks (stay tuned), and if you are in the majority as an online customer, I highly recommend signing up for our sock yarn club if you haven't already.  Or plan a visit to Fort Wayne, IN this fall!

SSYC's 11th Sock Yarn Club

The time has come- sign ups for SSYC's 11th Sock Yarn Club are now available!

At Simply Socks Yarn Company, we do a couple three-month themed sock yarn clubs each year.  The last one featured yarns that were inspired by the Paris photography of Nichole Robertson.  This club's theme is "A few of my favorite things" and features three yarns and accessories (and a yarn-only option if you'd prefer) that are among my current faves and things I see becoming the things to knit in 2014.

Hi!  This is me!  Allison! (one tends to overuse exclamation points, being surrounded by sock yarn for the better part of a decade)

Each month (November, December and January) you'll receive a special edition skein of sock yarn  paired with a hand made or hand designed accessory.  All are the highest quality fingering weight yarns and enough to make a pair of socks, though you'll also receive free pattern ideas for non-sock projects.  You pay one subscription fee up front, and your parcels are shipped out mid-month on the months indicated.  You don't need to do anything else other than order the Yarn +Goodies, or All About the Yarn (no goodies) options.  Or both.

To be enrolled in the club, please make sure that your club subscription/s is the only thing in your shopping cart at Check Out.  International orders use the same links as US order, but you'll see your normal shipping rate tacked on at the end (to account for the added cost of shipping to you), while US customers will see no addition shipping fee, as shipping is already worked into the price of the club.

Earlier I mentioned that you have the option of choosing the Yarn + Goodies, or Just Yarn (no extras) options.  This is something that many of you asked for this time, as we usually don't include anything but yarn and pattern ideas in the kits.  Many of you said that you really enjoy treating yourself to something special with our kits, so we are giving you the option of choosing what you'd prefer.  If you'd like to purchase more than one subscription, you are welcome to do that as well.  Perhaps you'd like to give one to a friend each month.  Or perhaps you'd like to ensure you have enough yarn for larger projects, thus want to purchase the Goodies option and add on a non-goodie option.  If you do purchase more than one subscription, please e-mail and remind us, as we can refund $9 from each additional kit b/c we'll be combining for shipping.

Want a hint at what may be coming in the first month of the club?  A few of you have already figured it out, due to my earlier whispers on the blog and mentions on another particular dyer's blog (someone I've wanted to support in my shop for years).... you are great at connecting dots!  I'll reveal one later this week.... but for now, no spoilers!

What kind of goodies are in the club?  If you choose the Yarn + Goodies option, you can expect a range of things I'm currently obsessed with, in a range of prices.  It will start with the less expensive goodies and end with something that I've never seen offered in a club or kit before.  Truly special.

Have any other questions?  Please e-mail service@simplysockyarn.com and I'll get them answered as quickly as possible.  Our last club sold out much quicker than I anticipated, so I'll do my best to help you in a timely manner so you can decide either way.  I'll try and keep the sign ups open for a week from today, but you could see the Goodie link giving you the "no products found" page if it sells out.

Quote of the week

In reference to new yarn from Jill Draper Makes Stuff (in shop soon):
"I will have one of each, And then I will build myself a yarn cocoon and I will never come out again, except for tea and chocolate."
Thank you, Laura. You make me giggle.

SSYC's Boo-witched Halloween Sock Kit

The SSYC Halloween Kit is now available!  Go here to read about the details in the kit, or go directly to the website to puchase yours.  Shown below is how the striping part of the kit knits up, and the striping and solid are meant to work together in this pattern.  Squee!

If you click and see the dreaded "no products found" page, that means it has sold out.  We make as many of these kits as we can for you, but as each part is often hand crafted, there is a limit to how many we can create.  I greatly appreciate how popular our special kits are and while I'd love to be able to supply enough for everyone, they usually sell out within a day.  If you miss out and absolutely want one, you can e-mail service@simplysockyarn.com for possible waitlist.

Want to go for free US shipping with an $85 purchase, or pack as much into your international package as you can?  You might consider the Dream Club skein for October, which is an awesome Everlasting Sock skein in a color that reminds me of fading fall leaves (above).  Love it.  Comes with the pattern shown below as well (just e-mail service@simplysockyarn.com after your purchase).  But I think this color would make an amazing Breezy Cardigan.  If you choose to purchase several skeins for a larger project, we'll choose skeins that look good together (as it's hand dyed, you'll want to alternate skeins when combining into a project).

In search of awesome things to enhance gift-knitting season?  Check out the hand made bags from Bird Leg Bags and Three Bags Full.  Shown below is the Records bag from Three Bags Full.

Or knit a pair of Trekking XXL socks for the person who will want to machine wash and dry their socks (new colors start at 530).  I finished one Trekking XXL sock this weekend and immediately cast on its mate.

We also have new colors and restocks of the Biscotte & Cie Felix Striping colors, so if you're in a striping mood, just keep on going!  That's where I'm at right now!