Simply Socks Yarn Co. Blog

SSYC's Holiday Open House

Before we close the shop later today for the next four days for the Thanksgiving holiday, I wanted to share with you the details of our Holiday Open House.

This year, we'll be celebrating the holiday season at SSYC on Saturday, December 6 from 10-4. We'd love for you to come visit and shop, come nosh on some treats and leave with a gift from us to you. But the really fun part is this year's contests. If you wear an Ugly Christmas Sweater (hand knit or not) you'll be entered in a contest that we'll vote on the SSYC Ravelry Group (the sweater with the most number of LOVES will win a $50 gift certificate). Or, simply wear any hand knit project that you are proud of and we will photo and show them off on the blog. And then one of those will be randomly chosen to win a $25 gift certificate.

Our Holiday Open House is a fun way to see you all and celebrate this time of year. I do hope that many of you can make it and the weather is kind to all that want to make the drive.

On another note, we will be closing today through Monday. I've decided to make family a priority this Thanksgiving, and I think the SSYC team is grateful for a few days off to celebrate this time of year with those close to us. I do hope that this doesn't deter anyone from shopping online with us during this busy shopping weekend, but orders won't start shipping until this Monday, December 1st. I have received disappointed e-mails and calls about being closed this Saturday. I know it's a big shopping weekend in the US, and it is "small business Saturday" and all, and I hate to disappoint anyone who wants to support us.... but, well, we really just want to spend time with our loved ones.  And I do hope that you'll still shop online with us and will come to shop in person on another weekend. Because we are VERY VERY thankful for you. Happy Thanksgiving!

SSYC's Christmas Vacation Knit Kit is now available

Thank you so much for your excited feedback about this kit! Many of you detailed how much you like the non-traditional colors of this kit. How it's still festive and celebratory, but not the typical red/green combo. I agree! It's now available here. If you'd like to read up on it, go here first.

Our special edition knit kits tend to sell out within a day, and while I wish I had more available, it's just not possible since most (if not all) of the parts are hand made. This kit is larger, and a bit more expensive than our past holiday kits. This is because not only are the skein of yarn and the bag larger sized, but you're getting TWO tools and TWO treats. And the treats.... yummo. I hope that you make your hot cocoa in your favorite mug, dip your gingerbread biscotti in the elixir, and enjoy a moment of "me time." You deserve it.

I'll have another kit to show off after the Thanksgiving holiday. It includes an adorable, sock sized Christmas gnome bag and something new from Poste Yarn.

Four starts, finally finished!

After four tries, I finally got my hat to fit! Please forgive my makeup-less selfie, but I was just so proud to finally have it finished that I couldn't hold off taking a photo. Knit with MadelineTosh DK and a pattern I hope to post soon.

Preview: Christmas Vacation Knit Kit

This year, we're having two options for our popular holiday kits. This first one is a super-sized kit that includes several firsts for us- the first time we includes a super-duper sized skein, the first time we've featured such a large bag, and the first time we've featured a worsted weight yarn. Read on, and you'll see what awesome goods made me change things up.

I was so impressed with October's Dream Club that I asked Veronica and the Dream in Color team to dye up another super-sized Classy (worsted weight) skein in a special edition colorway. Named Christmas Vacation, this skein is large enough for a big-ol' cowl, a big pair of warm and cushy socks, or a hat and matching mitts. I knit this pattern recently and it totally shows off this large skein. But you might also knit a Gaptastic cowl or a Honey Cowl.

Vickie at Bird Leg Bags stitched up a super big batch of her Tall Skinny Wedge bags. Each one features adorable fabric with RV-ing Santa and reindeer (I love that they are relaxing in a pool and playing shuffleboard!), a coordinating interior, heavy interfacing so your bag holds its shape, and a top stitched zipper with a beaded zipper pull. I love this interior fabric too,don't you?

This bag is 12" tall and 8" wide (at the top it's 12" wide). The size will accomodate large shawls, lightweight sweaters, or any medium sized project. And it's so adorable that you'll likely see me carrying mine all year 'round.

The kit is rounded out with some useful goodies (like these stitch holders) and tasty treats (like hot chocolate and biscotte from Zinnia's Bakehouse across the street). I don't have pictures of those yet because, of course, they are being baked fresh for you and won't be ready until we're ready to ship these to you next week.

I'm betting you have two questions. When? How much? 

The kit will be around $80 and as usual we have a limited amount when it goes up for sale early next week- likely on Monday, Nov 24. Our kits tend to sell out within a day, and I expect this one to be no exception. It's a bit more expensive than previous holiday kits, and that's because you are not only getting a larger bag and a 50% larger skein, but also because we're offering two tools (two sizes of stitch holders are included) and two treats instead of one. If you think this kit is for you, watch the blog and your Inbox for our e-newsletter.

I greatly appreciate the support and interest shown in our kits. Your kind e-mails and excited comments really make this fun for us. The handmade nature of the kits means that there's a limited amount we can create. I hate to disappoint anyone who misses out, and I do hope you understand that we are doing our best to have as many of these available as we can while also allowing our craftpeople to have a sane holiday. And it's important that these creations remain the highest quality for everyone.

The second holiday kit will be previewed after Thanksgiving. It will feature a sock-sized bag (with Christmas gnomes!!), speckled Poste Yarn, and similar goodies as this kit. If you miss out on the Christmas Vacation Knit Kit, please know we have something aweome and sock-sized coming in about two weeks. Thank you!!

Wooly Wonka Fibers

This shelf right here has been causing some strong feelings. After stocking all the new colors of Wooly Wonka Fibers, Heather made me walk to the front of the shop with her so she could show me just how wonderful this cubby is. Apparently, it's speaking too strongly to her and she wants to KNIT IT ALL. I don't blame her. These colors together are fab.

And Rachael couldn't resist Azalea.

And Heather knit this shawl with the previous batch of Dark Roast in Artio, and now we have more.

But don't just stop at the semi solid colors. Take a look at all the gorgeous multicolors that Anne has dyed up for us  in Aerten Sock (cash blend), Arianrhod Sock (sparkles!) and Artio Sock (a silk blend shown below in Bazinga!, Sleepy Hollow and Oak Leaves).

And at $24 a skein for hand dyed yarn in blends that include luxury fibers (like the 50% silk Artio Sock), it's a really great deal.

TuesdayTease

A sneak peak at one of our two holiday kits. Special edition yarn from Dream in color, put up in a super sized skein!

Third time's a charm? Or perhaps four?

Saturday was a COLD day. So cold that I decided that I had to have a new hat/glove/scarf set immediately. I picked out three skeins of Tosh DK (Farmhouse White, Aura and Grasshopper) and had the best of intentions of starting a new hat that night. But then the 10-year-old swift at the shop broke. So I brought the skeins home and James helped me wind them into balls that evening. (I realize one day it won't be an exciting Saturday night for him to help me wind yarn into balls. I'll take it while it lasts.)

Sunday morning, I cast on the simple ribbed hat. I got an couple inches done and realized that the gauge was loose enough using a US 6 needle that it wouldn't be as warm as I wanted. So I frogged back and started over with US 4.

I got this far yesterday evening. I was pretty sure that if I stayed up a bit later than usual, I'd have a hat by morning. But then I tried on that bit of a hat and realized that it barely fit over my man-sized head. So I tore it all out again. Then this morning I cast on again, did one row and realized that I twisted it before joining. So I tore out again.

And now I'm back at square one, casting on 112 stitches for the fourth??! time. I'm about to lose my patience with this hat. Perhaps it's not meant to be. But I'M SO COLD. I'm at the point now where I feel like this finished hat will sooth all that ails me. All my woes will be forgotten as soon as my dome is warm.

New colors and GLITTER from Turtlepurl!

Been waiting for these stripes? I know A LOT of you have been. The wait is over! I have new colors and restocks of Turtle Toes, and a new base, Glitter & Stripes!

This is Bah Humbug in Glitter

And non Glitter

And one of my new faves, Rainbow Brite in both Glitter

Simply swoonworthy, amiright??

Of course, I have back a lot of your faves like Trench Coat, Dream Room, Snow White and Twilight. Check them out!

And what's a week without more tasty skeins from Blue Moon Fiber Arts? This time, Tina and gang sent along BFL superwash sock in a slew of your faves and new holiday colors.

Shown above, Gnomes of Christmas Past, and below Hangin with my Gnomies

And say a big HELLO to Rainbow Reindeer

There's no shortage of color up in here today, that's for sure. Now we just have to find a place to shelve all this- we are packed to the gills this holiday season with more sock yarn than you can shake your little pointy sticks at. But that's a good thing!

 

Opal's new Schafpate 6

Opal has released their 6th Schafpate collection! Schafpate is somewhat of a "buy local" version of Opal, with an all-German supply chain til it gets shipped all over the world to eager knitters.

The colors in this collection are more subdued and as we unpacked them this morning, we marveled that each one was wearable and giftable. So if you're looking for a gift knit for someone (or for yourself!) that doesn't like too-bright colors, but you also don't want to be bored while you knit, take a look at the 8 colors in this collection. Plus, SSYC offers a low price on new 4-ply Opal collections of $15 instead of the retail of $18-$20.

Regia's 6 ply Stripemania

I don't think I've seen a Regia collection that I adore more than this new Stripemania. First, STRIPES. We know I like stripes. A LOT. Second, it's 6 ply, so it knits up quick and will keep my feet warm. Third, like all Regia, it's machine wash and dry and I need options like that in my sock drawer.

Aren't these colors wonderful! Obviously great for socks, but I like the idea of a warm, squishy cowl out of one. Or a cowl and mitts out of two. Because there's 150 grams in a ball, you'd have a nice amount for a cowl. Do you have cowl ideas you think this striping yarn would be great with?

What you're knitting

Sarah P has been knitting some awesome things with the fab Online Supersocke she got in the sale section early this year.

And she has this to say about the third picture, "Then because I had quite a bit left and a new baby arriving I knit a matching baby hat using the lace pattern from Rick." Now that's a great use of the leftover yarn!

Vickie (of Bird Leg Bags) started some Elm Street socks in our Poste Yarn before Halloween and used the Fruit Stripe Gum pattern to make the cool diamonds you see. We wil be dyeing up some great holiday colors this week, so stay tuned for some awesomeness. Or check out the SSYC Instagram feed for a sneak peek.

Brenda knit this Clincher scarf with a ball of (unknown) Opal and a bit of coordinating solid for the edge. I love that she used a self-patterning yarn for a scarf that most are using variegated. I think a Hundertwasser color would look great in this pattern.

And take a look at these! This matching sock and glove set was made with Simply Sock Yarn Solids in Slate and Fiesta Lime with a bit of Cherry Red. The talented knitter didn't know the exact pattern name, but she said it came from the online Sockupied magazine two years ago. She said she's very happy with the performance of the yarn, as she wears the gloves nearly every day when it's cold out and she's caring for her horses.

Floops and Fiddle Knits

I have something available now that many of you have been asking for for quite awhile- Floops! These floppy, loopy stitch markers have been included in a few of our holiday kits, and they have been very well received. I now have a selection of them for you in the shop in a variety of colors and two sizes- small (for socks) and medium (for most everything else except bulky projects). 

I also have a restock of one of our fave indie dyers, Fiddle Knits. I have both the Aria (sparkle) Sock and Dye-a-tonic (merino/nylon with a tight twist).

Shown above, Aria Sock in Nebula, and below in Flower Fae

I also have a bit more of the Care colorway from Madelinetosh, for those of you who were waiting on our second shipment. This yarn quickly sold out a couple weeks ago, as we were the first shop to get it. Now we have it back, but I'm sure just for a short time.

And a gratuitous child shot. James is here at work with me today, as he LOVES being on the computer (at least before a couple hours before the rest of the team arrives and takes over) because we don't have one at home. Then we are going to take off early and go see Big Hero 6 3D. His choice. I definitely can't knit at the 3D movie, though I'm betting I'll try.

Blue Moon Fiber Arts

I have for you over 80 colors of Socks that Rock Lightweight right now. I'm serious.

Like Black to the Fuschia.

And Garden Daze.

Oh, Carnival.

Of course, there are other, less bright colors too. LOTS OF THEM. It makes me want to knit at least six Sockhead hats for people for Christmas. Each color perfect for the recipient, and each one a totally addictive knit.

Picture post of a weekend

Lego Movie costumes for the whole family on the worst Halloween ever (seriously bad weather), a Clincher scarf made of Opal, and new Regia in the Sale Yarn section.

November's Dream Club!

Perfect for November, this month's Dream Club selection is a super-sized skein of Everlasting DK and patterns that keep your head and hands warm. Pair that with an earthy yet romantic colorway and you've got a winning club month, that's for sure.

It took me just about a week to finish the October Dream Club skein, so if you need a quick project for a holiday gift, this is for you.

If you buy a skein, you'll find in your package a Ravelry coupon code for the complimentary Sachy pattern set. Featuring an easy, yet complex looking combination of stockinette and eyelet, it shows off the subtle variations in this colorway very well.

It's the kind of pattern that's perfect for gifts b/c you don't need to perfectly size a head or hands like you do a sweater or socks.

And the colors in this skein include warm and cool tones, so would be good for many skin tones. November is winner all around, I think!