Simply Socks Yarn Co. Blog

Why we take so many photos

This week we have a new shipment to share from Qing Fibres of London. I adore the hues that Layla and her team dye up for us, and I love that we are able to stock several bases and nearly all the colors. Layla hails from Beijing and now lives in the UK, and her use of color seems to express these influences.

One of my jobs at the shop is photographing the yarn. I do this in diffused natural light. I think it brings out the colors better than unnatural light, and certainly better than anything with a flash. And with each batch of yarn that arrives, I search through, compare photos with past photos, and make sure that I rephotograph hand dyed skeins that look different from the last time. Some of the time, the skeins do look the same. I mean, solid red looks the same pretty much each time. But Tart sometimes does look different. So you can bet that if it looks different, it's going to get a new photo. 

Dyers often do provide photos of their yarn. And while that's super awesome to get an idea of what a color looks like when I order it, it often has nuances that are different in the batch I receive, or that didn't show up in the small photos provided. That why I think it's important to take new photos with dyelots. I would want to see that Qing Donegal in Denim (newer photo first) seems more watercolored than last time, as shown above. Or that Underwater on Sock is just even more awesome than before (new photo above).

Now, I'm not at all complaining about the extra work. I don't mind that dyelots of hand dyed yarn look different from batch to batch. It's nearly impossible to make hand dyed yarns match from lot to lot. I mean, even if you use the same yarn, the same dyer, the same temps of water, the same dye formulation... there will always be fluctuations in each of these. The yarn might be merino, but it came from a different animal. The temperature of the water might heat up or cool down faster. The dye might be added to the yarn at a specific temp one time and different the next. The dye itself might have the same name but has a slightly different chemical composition than the last time the dyer ordered or mixed it. All this means changes in the skein that you and I receive. And I like that. I like that I get to anticipate changes in a color, and see things I like better this time. I don't even mind the feeling that I should have gotten the skein last time, when I liked it better. Because it's likely that I'll find another skein next time that I like even better.

Bittermelon on Sock, new batch at top.

The extra work of photographing hand dyed yarn means that you get a more predictable online experience. Yes, it's a lot of time and work, but if you were going to knit a sweater in Bluefinch and you were expecting it to look like the skeins above but it looked like the photo below, wouldn't you be a little disappointed? Maybe not in the skein itself, but more in the shopping experience? Like, well, couldn't this shop have done a little better?

Now, I'm not perfect. Once in awhile I forget to swap out a photo (I mean, we have tens of thousands of colors in stock) and those notorious teals that are always more green in person than they seem to be on a screen... But I do do my best in providing the best shopping experience I can, given the restrictions of ordering fiber and color online. And I hope that if you have any suggestions on how to make your experience any better, that you'll e-mail me. A thousand minds are better than one!

On a sidenote- if you were waiting for more Donegal Tweed sock in Hippienista to knit socks like mine, I have more now.

Spun Right Round is back with more!

I have a gorgeous restock of Spun Right Round's yarn and with it a new sock yarn base, Classic Sock!

I'm a huge fan of SRR's Squishy DK, as I've made several hats from in the past couple years. And now I have even more lovely hues to choose from. 

Reaper's Rags + Spaced Out

Lunar Spell + Idle Gossip

Call Me Ale + Quake

Heart Eyes + Tonic

These are just a few of the combos I like, all shown on Squish DK.

Since we're offering the new Classic Sock base, I've put the discontinued 80/20 Sock on sale. So if that's a base you liked, grab it now before it's gone.... just a little End-o-Decade sale for you!

And if you love singles, take a look at Breakin Loose and Rumor. Wowza.

12th Day of Sock Yarn

On the twelfth day of sock yarn, Simply Sock Yarn gave to me.... three skeins of Dream in Color's Jilly Singles!

To have a chance at three skeins of your choice of Dream in Color's fingering weight merino single ply yarn, (it's a great deal and a superior single) answer the following question in the comments below:

Are you resolving to do something or change anything in 2020? Any knitting resolutions? Or do you prefer to make life changes as needed rather than at the first of the year... or in this case the first of the decade?

Shown above in True to Life and below in Tart

I won't be making any knitting resolutions, as I like knitting to be a part of my life that I don't have to hold to particular rules. I like to collect and stash yarn as I like and I want to start as many projects as I want and not worry about how quickly I'll finish them. My life already has enough obligation and deadlines and I like that knitting is my place to explore and expand and be creative without arbitrary boundaries. But I know that at another time, knitting can also be that place where I force myself out of my box, appreciate deadlines and be more organized. Knitting can be whatever I need creatively, whenever I need it.

As far as my general life goes, I'm always striving for more balance and to be healthier. I've become much healthier and much more active over the past 5 years and I'd like to continue in that vein into my 40's. But I don't go overboard by any means- I don't guilt myself into not eating or drinking certain things and I don't spend a crazy amount of time in the weight room. And as far as balance goes, this year I really do feel like I've achieved more balance than ever before. I do work odd hours (sometimes in the middle of the night or way too early in the morning), but I don't miss a field trip, I play volleyball, I coach my sons' teams, I make time for lunch with friends and date nights with my man, I get away for a family vacation or weekend or two, and I care for those I love. This year I've really focused on being of service to others and doing so with more grace, and I feel good about my progress so far. In 2020 I do hope to be of greater service to my friends, family and community, and I hope that those ways present themselves. I really do hope that 2020 is even better than 2019, but if it's not I feel like I finally have the tools and the people in my life to get through it and I have no shame in admitting and asking for help.

As we enter 2020, I just want to thank all of you for the part you've played in my life. Your support of this small business has changed my life and my family and the trajectory of dozens of other lives and families. You allow us all to work in an industry where we can feel good about what we do and how we do it. This summer will mark 15 years of SSYC serving you, and I hope we can do it for decades more. Please do check the blog in the coming months to see how I'm thanking you and our community. I'll be donating to groups that matter to me, giving gifts to you (from myself and some of my favorite dyers and designers), and celebrating all you've done for me and others.

It usually takes me until mid-January to randomly choose the contest winners, contact them via e-mail, and then compose the blog post about listing the winners. Thank you for joining us in the 12 Days of Sock Yarn! I hope you'll also join in the various contests we do here on the blog year round.

11th Day of Sock Yarn

On the eleventh day of sock yarn, Simply Sock Yarn gave to me.... three balls of Opal Sock Yarn of my choice! To have your choice of three balls of Opal Yarn, simply answer the following question in the comments below:

Who has received the majority of your knitting in 2019? Did you knit more for yourself? Or perhaps others?

I love hearing and reading stories about those of you who spend your talents creating dozens of hats for those who are cold in the winter, or creating little beanies for babies in the NICU or bunnies for kids who need a snuggle. I also love reading that you're filling your own sock drawer because you want to care for yourself. I love seeing the adorable pictures of your kids and grandkids in new hats.... and I really like helping your choose the right size and color pom for your finished project. We have so many color size options in our pom line.

Do you love Opal yarn as much as I do? I know many of you do, but if you haven't yet tried this yet, Opal is my go-to when my knitting mojo has waned or when I need a good jumpstart to my crafting passion. There's something about seeing the pattern develop on its own that makes me want to keep knitting and knitting and knitting.... often into the wee hours of the morning. OK, maybe late evening.

We have two new Opal yarn collections on their way next week - the new Glitter and Fairy Tale, PLUS a new batch of the 28-mini-ball collections that we had this fall and sold out in hours. You'll see links to the new collections when they arrive. I'll continue to get these mini ball collections here and there as I can, as they are quite a bit more labor intensive to assemble for the German company.

 

10th Day of Sock Yarn

On the tenth day of sock yarn, Simply Sock Yarn gave to me...

a $50 gift certificate to SSYC!

To have a chance at one of TWO $50 gift certificates I'm giving away today, simply answer the following question in the comments below:

Do you belong to a knitting or crafting group? Tell us about the people you craft with. And if you don't, why not? Do you prefer to knit alone? Do you want to find the right group and haven't yet?

Right now as I post this, I'm surrounded by my knitting friends. it's 10:42am and I totally forgot to post this and my knitting ladies are over at my house for our white elephant knitting gift exchange an eating of a lot of brunchy stuff. We're eating tasty food and sharing stories of our past month or so. I met these ladies nearly 10 years ago when someone in the shop told me to come and just give a knitting group a try. Now they are some of my closest people- we share knitting, camaraderie and a lot of honesty.

These are some of my knitting friends when we go together to do a sweater try-on session. Chevas even did a podcast about it.

9th Day of Sock Yarn

On the ninth day of sock yarn, Simply Sock Yarn gave to me...

three skeins of Madelinetosh Tosh Merino Light!

To have a chance at three skeins of your choice (our next restock is coming in about a week, so you'll have twice as many colors to choose from if you're the winner), simply answer the following question in the comments below:

Tell me about the type of knitter and yarn collector you are- is knitting and stashing yarn a constant in your life? Or perhaps something you do here and there? Do you always have more than one project on the needles or are you committed to your project from beginning to end? Do you purchase yarn you like when you see it or do you purchase for your project and that's it? Do share!

Maybe you can make a Touch the Sky sweater with your Merino Light like Rachael did? I adore this sweater.

For me, knitting is constant, though in bits and pieces. I always have at least one project on the needles, and really I have like 10 on the needles. I think I still have a project from 11 years ago on the needles using a yarn from Dream in Color that isn't even made anymore, in colors that aren't even made anymore, and it's just packed away in a box. Sometimes I'll knit for hours a day (usually when on vacation or when Terry is driving us to visit someone somewhere) and sometimes I'll go several weeks without knitting a stitch. It's not because I don't want to be knitting, it's simply because my life is busy and full and I do put my work at the shop and my time with my family above knitting. As my boys get older I do notice that I do have more time to knit at their events, though now that Terry and I have started coaching our kids' volleyball (and basketball starting next month) I don't get to sit and knit for an hour on Saturdays. Instead I'm running around a court trying to herd a bunch of 7 year olds.

I love that knitting is what I want when I want it. I can cast on a new project and finish half of it, then get inspired by something else and cast that on. I have so many unfinished projects on my needles in my blue knitting cupboard and I know some people would have anxiety having so many unfinished projects on needles, but it doesn't cause me any. I have so many things in my life that I have to do, so I allow my knitting to be whatever I want with no guilt (well, very very little) and no shame. I don't feel bad that my stash will likely outlive me. Technically the seven figures worth of yarn at the shop is my stash until you take it to a new home! And I must hang out with very like-minded knitters because I don't think any of us have any shame about the size of our stashes. In fact, we boast about it and revel in it. I mean, there are a lot of other things that we could be doing that aren't good for us, and so if I collect more yarn than I will ever knit, I don't think that's a bad thing. When I think about all the possibilities there are in my stash and the number of artists who devoted their time and skill to making my stash what it is, I feel really good about it. I hope you do too!

8th Day of Sock Yarn

On the eighth day of sock yarn, Simply Sock Yarn gave to me... two skeins of Qing Fiber Super Soft Sock!

To have a chance at two skeins of this supple cashmere sock blend with new colors coming thru Customs as soon as today, simply answer the following question in the comments below:

Tell me about an organization or group that you like to donate to or spend time making things for. We all have different ways we show care and love to people, and perhaps what you do for others will inspire me and readers to take on another way to help those around us.

I donate time and money to the Community Harvest Foodbank of NE Indiana. My kids spend time at local food banks and I've been there with them as well. My mind just can't tolerate the idea that there are hungry children and I try to put in as much time and money as I can. It's never enough though. I don't ever feel like I've done enough.

This year my family and I also adopted a boy my sons' age to act as Secret Santa, and while I'm glad I did it and I will continue to do it, I feel sad. I think about all that I should be doing more of to help others and it never quite feels like enough. It just makes me feel small and selfish for having so much and giving so little. So I just keep adding my little bit of help to the problem and I hope that others add their little bit of help and eventually together we all make a big impact somewhere. I think that's something that knitters as a community relate to. Perhaps it's something about the thousands of tiny stitches it takes to make a garment.... we just keep tinking along until we see results, knowing that the cumulative effect over time will get us where we want. So maybe someday if we just keep giving and giving of ourselves we do impact someone or some people in a lasting way.

I want to share with you something particularly touching from Vicki who has been a supporter of the shop for many years. I have her permission to share this, and I've been waiting for a time when the most amount of people read the blog because it really is beautiful. When our lives seem hectic and our world seems divided, stories like this make me feel better about the humans that surround me. That strength and grace that can come from her hurt and pain is a lesson that Vicki can teach all of us.

Today should be my granddaughter, Éowyn's 7th birthday. She died 2018 from dipg, which is a form of brain cancer. She received excellent care at Children's Mercy Hospital.
We started a toy drive last year to honor her memory and collect toys and craft supplies for the hospital. I decided that I would knit bunnies to donate and I used Opal, Miss Babs, and Knitterly Things yarn along with Susan's pattern, Mini Sock Yarn Bunny.
Attached you will find pictures of the bunnies and the tag that I attached to each of them. I thought you might like to see what your yarn has created!
Vicki

7th Day of Sock Yarn

On the seventh day of sock yarn, Simply Socks Yarn gave to me....

a $50 gift certificate to SSYC!

To have a chance at winning $50 to spend online at Simply Socks Yarn Company, simply answer the following question in the comments below:

It's an easy one today- Tell me about your view from where you are right now. Is it snowy? Are you looking at your Christmas tree? Are you somewhere warm or on a desert island? Sitting in a waiting room or on break at work? Do tell!

Me I'm currently writing this on my couch at home where it's nice and warm even though there's a dusting of snow outside. There's no one here but me and it's blissfully quiet (well, that's changed fast by the time I finished this though). I'm looking at my holiday display on my mantle and it's full of greeting cards and little glass ornaments we've collected and my boys' Harry Potter and Marvel characters from their advent calendars. And hanging from it are our stockings which I didn't knit, but purchased at Target a long time ago. It's perfectly messy and colorful, like my family.

We have less than half of our celebration to go! Visit each day through Christmas Eve to have a chance to win. Want the details/rules of the 12 Days of Sock Yarn? Go here.

6th Day of Sock Yarn

On the sixth day of sock yarn, Simply Sock Yarn gave to me...

my very own Backyard Chicken Collection set!

To have your chance at your choice of Backyard Chickens, the skeins of yarn from Hue Loco and not actual chickens (heh), simply answer the following question in the comments below:

What's your favorite project you've knit this year? Socks? A shawl? A layette set for a special baby? Do tell and leave a Ravelry link to the pattern or your project page if you'd like to show it off.

 

I don't know if I have a fave or not, but the project that really sticks with me is just a simple Sockhead Cowl using this yarn in Folsom Blues. The yarn is just so soft and luxurious and it was such a mindless project which is what I need right now. I love that knitting can be whatever I want; it provides a challenge and stimulation when I need it. Which, quite frankly, isn't often with two young boys, an active lifestyle and running a business. Mostly I need knitting to be my meditation and my sense of easy accomplishment when other things in my life seem hard or insurmountable. There's nothing quite like turning a string made of cashmere into a piece of wearable art that makes me feel like I can conquer the world again. Self patterning yarn also does this for me. When I'm losing my knitting mojo, I cast on some new Opal socks and I feel like a magician!

 

5th Day of Sock Yarn

On the fifth day of sock yarn, Simply Socks Yarn gave to me..... two skeins of self striping sock yarn!

To have your chance at your choice of two skeins of self striping sock yarn, answer the following question in the comments below:

Is there are particular food or recipe that you love to eat or make this time of year? Do tell! And leave me a link to the recipe or a similar one if you can. For me, I love holiday cookies, Snickerdoodles are always a fave, though it's been a few years since I've made them.Terry just bought me an aqua colored Kitchen Aid for our anniversary, so I'm betting I'll be putting it to good use during the kids' Christmas break! We also love Texas Chocolate cake at every family gathering. This one's the one I've been using most often over the past few years.

What kind of striping yarn might you want if you win today's contest? We have several hand dyed options like:

sKNITches shown in  Sweater  Weather

Knitterly Things shown in Twinkle Lights

Turtlepurl Yarn shown in We Aim to Misbehave

Poste Yarn Striping Sock (which we dye in our own studio here at the shop) shown in Frankenmuth (one of our holiday striping colors)

You may have noticed that we haven't added new Poste Yarn in a few months.... this is our own yarn like dyed here in our restored 1940's post office turned yarn shop. We're taking a break from dyeing. It's extremely labor intensive to dye striping yarn (It requires winding skeins the length of our building, then dyeing in measured chunks, then washing/drying those 60 foot skeins, then reskeining them to normal size so you can wind them into cakes on your normal sized swifts at home. Basically it takes 4 to 10 times more time to make striping yarn.), and while I love that we have our own dye studio here and have done this for 7 years now, there are enough dyers predictably making striping yarn now for us that we don't need to focus on it as much. For now I'm going to spend more time increasing our inventory (it increased in size another 20% in 2019!) and offering more dyers. In the past month you may have noticed that we brought back Skein Yarn from Australia and added Vrinda Yarn which is made in Uruguay and dyed in San Diego. I'm also adding more yarn from larger companies like Tenderfoot from EYB and Queensland. So if you really like our Poste Yarn and want to have some on stash, please do add some now, as I'm unsure when we will be back at the dye pots.

4th Day of Sock Yarn

On the fourth day of sock yarn, Simply Sock Yarn gave to me.....

a stocking of tools and accessories galore!

To have your chance at winning a stockings-worth of tools and accessories (think stitch markers, tiny scissors, a tiny crochet hook for picking up stitches, a Sock Ruler, Yarn Cozies, Eucalan wool wash, etc.), simply answer the following question in the comments below:

Have you received yarn or knitting supplies as a gift before? If so, what was it and did you need to tell the gift giver exactly what you wanted? If not, what would you put on your list? Yarn? A gift certificate? Do tell!

Sock Ruler- these are a great tool to gift all your sock knitting friends!

Yarn Cozies are great for wrapping around your yarn cake and keeping it clean and safe from collapsing and tangling.

I have received a few pattern books as gifts and a sheep ornament and a few knitted items as baby gifts, but I would definitely like more knitting related gifts.... hint hint Terry. I like the idea of getting cute or pretty stitch markers (look below at what we're gifting YOU today!), a knitting related Christmas ornament, maybe a little loom so I can weave small things. Or maybe a skein of someone's hand spun yarn.

Do you want to receive a little gift today from us to you? We have a set of three hand crafted stitch markers that we are giving away with purchase today through Wednesday of this week. That way, you or a loved one can place an order and still get it in before the Christmas shipping deadline, as orders placed by Wednesday are still expected by USPS to arrive by Christmas Eve! You don't have to do anything other than place an online order- we will automatically tuck them in your package before it ships here as long as you order on Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday of this week.

What might you like to order today to get your awesome stitch markers? We have a huge array of Irish dyer Life in the Long Grass right now. I mean, this array is simply stunning, especially in person. If you're looking for something a truly exceptional skein, try the Silk Merino for a scarf or cowl or shawl.

Photo courtesy of Tracie Millar

We also have the Flock Fibre Sock Sets back, including some holiday options. Consider using them with the popular Coffee Talk pattern. Shown above is the Patina+Pecan set called for in the pattern.

If you want a really special fade set, Beata (owner and colorista at Hedgehog Fibres) has assembled these one-of-a-kind 5 skein Sock Yarn Fades for you.

Thanks for joining us in the 4th Day of Sock Yarn! It's been 10 years of this event, and it grows year after year. Want the rules/details? Look here.

3rd Day of Sock Yarn

On the third day of sock yarn, Simply Sock Yarn gave to me....

three skeins of Hedgehog Fibres Skinny Singles! To enter to win three skeins of your choosing, simply answer the following question in the comment below:

Have you knit any two or three color shawls recently? If so, which ones? And if not, why not? Please do tell us as much as you'd like to and even leave links to your Ravelry project page if you'd like to show off your piece.

 

Urchin, Iris & Raven

I have a hard time remembering what I knit throughout the year, so I often look through my Instagram feed to see what I post about. I knit lots of socks recently, a cowl or two this year (the Sockhead Cowl using this yarn is by far my fave cowl I've knit) and then the two following multicolored projects in the past few months:

Phi Shawl (going up two needle sizes to accommodate DK instead of fingering) in LITLG DK Twist in Andisol and Oxidized

Casapinka's Magical Thinking Shawl in Tosh Sock in Nocturne, Danger Will Robinson, Fog and Liquid Gold

Most of you don't have a SSYC with 16 tons of yarn close to you so you can mix and match your colors in person. The majority of our crafters buy from us online, and I'm often surprised at the wonderful color combinations you put together using our photos, rather than seeing it all in person. I take new photos with new batches of hand dyed colors, so I do my best to give you as much accurate info as possible so you can make the right choice for your project. It's a lot of time and work to take new photos of each batch that arrives, but the stock photos that our dyers provide are often from a batch that no longer looks like it did before, so if I was a knitter who wanted Hedgehog Fibres in Genie with a lot of color and it came with just a little, I'd be sad. In the past couple years, we've received eight different lots of that color alone that looked different enough that I felt the need to photo them again and again. Here are just a few of those dyelots.

I hope you know that we are always happy to be your personal shoppers and help you combine colors in person here before you place your order. Just e-mail me at [email protected] and I'm happy to put Heather or Lauren or Rachael on it too- they are even better with color than I am and they often work together to make sure that the colors you're considering for a project are good together before you place your actual online order. Sometimes you want to make sure the speckles of Salty Tales to go with the blue of Ink, and we like to make sure that it looks as good as we would want it to in our own projects. We often see notes on orders at Check Out that say things like "Can you choose a skein of Lush that has less speckles if possible?" And then we know which skein to choose just for you.

Thanks for joining us in our first three days of sock yarn? Want to read the details/rules of our annual event? Go here.

2nd Day of Sock Yarn

On the second day of sock yarn, Simply Sock Yarn gave to me....

my own Jumbo Knit Mug by Charan Sachar!

To have a change at winning this awesome 20 ounce knitter's mug, simply answer the following question in the comments below:

What is something new you did in 2019? Did you branch out in some way? Perhaps meeting new people somehow or starting a new job? Did you become a mom or a grandma or aunt? Did you try a new craft or recipe? Please do share!

For me, it’s coaching. My boys play a fair amount of sports at our local Y and this year they were short on volleyball coaches for Henry's team. Since Terry and I play a lot of ball, we decided to help out and coach. Neither of us have ever coached before and it turns out it was really fun to do, especially for a group of 7 year olds. I was really nervous about doing this- I'm a people person but it seemed like a lot of pressure. Turns out, I really liked seeing the kids blossom and become good team players, and it was even better doing it beside Terry and with Henry and his friends. Now we are going to even help out with Henry's basketball this coming season. I never thought I’d be into coaching but I really do like it! So if you're in the shop in person on Saturdays and rarely see me there on that day anymore, coaching is usually why... that and just needing a whole day off a week!

Usually, I'd share a picture of what I'm writing about, but I'm not going to share a picture of a team of kids without a parent's permission, so instead this is Henry doing a bit of rock climbing after his game a few weeks ago. We have an amazing YMCA system here in NE Indiana- wonderful family events, child watch for when the adults want to play a few games or work out, pools for summer and winter use. It really is a great community resource and a way to meet some wonderful people. My mom even goes to do movement and yoga classes and takes the kids swimming! If you want to try something new in 2020, perhaps join a local Y!

Want the details/rules of our 12 Days of Sock Yarn? Find 'em here.

1st Day of Sock Yarn!

Today marks the beginning of our 12 day celebration of all things sock yarn, the 12 Days of Sock Yarn!

For the tenth year, we're celebrating our exclusive holiday at Simply Socks Yarn Company!  From Dec. 13 through Dec. 24 you have a chance on this blog to win a special knitterly gift each day.  Could be yarn, could be accessories, and it will definitely be awesome. There's a wide variety of things to be won, from yarn to ceramic art to chocolate goodies... even some gift certificates. We're making it a celebration to remember!

How can you join in? Simply visit the SSYC Blog every day from Dec. 13 through the 24th and answer the question in the comments section before the following day's question is revealed (the comments will be closed on the previous post once the next day is up). You'll automatically be entered to win the gift shown for that day. If you participate each day, you'll have a dozen chances to win (one chance each day). And yes, you can win more than one day! It has happened before.

You don't have to participate in any particular holiday to win anything- you just have to want some awesome free yarn or goodies. Over the years because of this event, I've incorporated new traditions, recipes and projects into my life that I wouldn't have learned of otherwise. And I've read some touching stories and gotten to know a lot of you better than I did before. I'll post the randomly chosen winners in January, and you'll also get an e-mail if you've won a prize. Let's get started!

 

On the first day of sock yarn, Simply Sock Yarn gave to me....

A Holiday Sock Set from Flock Fibres!

To have your chance at this awesomely colored One Foggy Christmas Eve Flock Sock Set (a full sized skein and a mini) from Canadian dyer Kim at Flock Fibres, simply answer the following question in the comments below:

Do you send out Christmas cards? If so, what are your favorite type to send out and/or receive? Do you like photo cards? Or ones with a family newsletter? Perhaps you are lucky enough to be on someone's handmade card list? Do tell.

I'm pretty consistent about sending out cards to loved ones this time of year. And as my kids get older and they have their own friends and families they are getting to know, our list just gets bigger. It's usually a photo-type-of-card. It kind of forces me to have family photos taken in the fall or early winter, so that I have nice photos for the Christmas card. I didn't have photos taken last year which basically meant that my friend came over and took a few quick shots of us in our ill-fitting matching elf PJs and we called it a day. This year I purchased a photo session through our local parks and rec department and enough of the photos turned out well that I went all out and got the folding card with pictures inside and out. And it's shimmery.

Thanks for joining in the holiday fun here at SSYC! I hope you join us each day and let your friends know about this too. 

Dream in Color's Colossal Sock

I can't even believe the deal I have to share with you today. If you've been with us awhile, you might remember a few years ago when we did a special yarn with Blue Moon Fiber Arts in 150g skeins to celebrate our 12th anniversary. It was available just for a few months and it was basically 50% more yarn for 50% the cost. And it went like wildfire every time we got some all summer. Well, Dream in Color has been able to procure a similar deal from their mill just for us as a lead up to our 15th anniversary in 2020. And, wowza, if it isn't just stunning. You can find Dream in Color's Colossal Sock in the Sale Section now.

Anything Goes

These 150g skeins of Colossal Sock are really similar to the original Smooshy sock yarn that you got from Dream in Color, only there's 15% nylon instead of it being completely superwash merino. It has a little bit of "tooth" like the original Smooshy did, meaning that it's not slick and smooth in feel, but has a bit more of a woolly feel. Very soft and durable and takes the color oh-so-nicely. To me, it's the perfect sock yarn. 

We still do sell Smooshy Sock Yarn, but it's different than it was 13 years ago. It's smoother and more slick than when it was originally made. Which is lovely too, just different. And now Smooshy has been completely discontinued and so what you see here is the last I'll get of that line and soon it will be replaced with Smooshy with Nylon. For those who like to know that kind of thing.

Ghost Town

Each skein of DIC Colossal Sock is 525 yards (approx 150g) of awesomeness, which is 50% more. And it's 45% off in the Sale Section. Yes, $21 is all you're paying to get a super sized skein of premium merino/nylon sock yarn from a very experienced hand dyeing crew. $21 is what you paid for a skein of the original Smooshy from us 13.5 years ago when we were the first to offer this yarn. And now you're getting 50% more basically for free. With the cost of merino rising and rising, that's a deal I just couldn't pass up..... and neither should you.

Here it is shown with a regular sized skein of Dream in Color (in one of my current fave colors, Fatal Duel)

Now, this introductory batch is small and just a test for all of us, so several of the colors are already near gone after less than a day. But we have a huge amount coming later this month and more the following months leading up to our big 15th Yarniversary in May. 

 

Charcoal Prismatic

I love that our dyers are so good to us and help us find yarns that everyone can enjoy. And I know they they love being so busy with these orders and that they really value how much we all appreciate what they do. It takes a lot of artistry to create such beauty day after day while also running a business and working with so many moving parts and I hope they all know how much we appreciate what they contribute to our lives. I mean, I can't imagine a life without yarn. Can you?

More from Vrinda Yarn

Vrinda has become a fast fave around here. Many colors sold out already, but Nikki and Jay sent us a quick restock batch along with some new colors of Pada Sock and Shakti DK. These are the yarns that are plied in a special way to make them more durable with nylon, and I blogged about it here.

Just a few of the new hues, all on Pada Sock

Beso

Targaryen

The Prancing Pony

Autumn Perfection

Free Soul

Maldives

Twilight

Sugar Plum

If you'll notice, these are mostly blues/pinks/purples. That's because you and my staff requested specific tones/colors this time and I aim to please! You're always welcome to e-mail me if there's a specific color you want and I'll do my best to put in on our next order. We also have restocks of popular colors like Baggins and Sequoia.

I finally made it to the toes of my Pebble Socks in Sequoia and I adore them (with my red holiday mug). I can decide if I like the patterned side or the stockinette side better. You?

Making some crazy socks

We had a fab weekend here in the shop at our big Holiday Open House. Please take a look at a few pics on Insta, and as usual the day was so wonderfully busy that I didn't have a chance to snap many shots. Saturday after I got home I put on my PJs, sat in front of my fireplace, and cast on a new project just for me. I've been wanting to knit up some modern tweed socks for awhile now and I decided it was time.

I chose Qing Fibre's Donegal Tweed Sock in Hippienista (which is sold out right now but they are dyeing lots more for me now), but if you want to cast on right away also take a look at the other awesome colors I have in Qing right now. I also have several other confetti colored options from Hue Loco and Swift Yarn. I just used my basic vanilla sock pattern like this one.

Sometime late in the evening I decided that tweed and confetti wasn't enough pizzazz, and I wanted to do a magenta heel for even more flair.

Now that I'm getting close to the toe, I want to add even more color. Either yellow...

.... or a coral.

Which do you think I should go with? 

I pulled apart a mini set that Fiber Story did for a club for us a couple years ago. We have other color options here (the pictured one above was for a club an no longer available) if you think you'd like to do something similar. Or consider a set from Sweet Georgia or Hue Loco or Stitch Together Studios.

I have to admit that throwing caution to the wind and just doing whatever I want, even if the socks won't match, is a bit thrilling. I've never been one that has to have my self patterning socks match (I just start the second sock where the first one left off), and so adding extra color to my toes and heels seems like something I would have tried ages ago. I really think I'll be doing two different colors for the toes and heels on the second sock in this pair. And then I'm considering using the leftover tweed and mini solid skeins for a special baby hat or two.

Holiday Inspired Knits for 2019

When the holiday season approaches there are several things that I look forward to- decorating our tree (a fake one for the first time!), making Christmas cookies, unwrapping gifts on Christmas morning, and of course what holiday-inspired knits I'll be enjoying. Last year I started a Christmas Chevron Blanket, and I have to admit that I haven't yet brought it back out to finish yet. My mind is a bit frazzled this year, as it's been so crazy busy in the shop (which is wonderful) and so I think I'm going to stick to smaller projects that I can simply tote around from kids' volleyball practice or math club or wherever I am whenever I get a moment to knit a few stitches.

Want to knit along with the season? Take a look at my suggestions below and if you order this week, we're giving out these adorable hand made stitch markers with each purchase through Friday. Or come into the shop this Saturday for our Holiday Open House and get a set then.

Blue Moon Fiber Arts has sent a beautiful batch of their holiday colors on Socks that Rock plus restocks of their faves like Free Range Chickens, Taste the Rainbow, and Lady Edith. Tina creates some of the most sought after Christmas skeins around and this year's colors are no exception. First, there's What the Elf? It's a great color, right? And the name... I will admit that I'm the person who named it. I just couldn't resist.

Then we have the other new skein, A Very Vintage Christmas

And I have so many more to share too! Take a look at Arctic Puffin

Christmas Balls

Elf

Holiday Inn

Holidazzle

Joy to the World

Jingle Sprinkles

Rainbow Reindeer

Sugar Plum Fairy Dust

Whoville

Many of the colors shown above are also available with a bit of glitter in Super Sparkle. Or go with a not-so-basic red or green like Fir Ever Green, Scarlette, or Bittersweet shown below.

Want minis? Hue Loco has released their Christmas mini skein set and they've even sent us more Backyard Chicken Collection colors.

Fairy Lights from West Yorkshire Spinners is definitely festive. It's a wonderful knit and we've sold so many of these since it's debut in 2018. We were able to get just a couple dozen more balls of this and I do hope we can get more of the Christmas Robin color too. I know many of us like to knit Christmas themed socks outside of the season, so I'll continued to stock these as long as I can.

Wooly Wonka makes us wonderful fiber blends and Anne's color Whoville is definitely a fun addition to this list. It's available on all three bases.

Want yarn the does the color work for you? The Regia Candy Color Collection is full of merriment. Each one reminds me of the colors in those German glass ornaments, like color 1165 shown below.

Dragonfly Fibres has the Stoll Christmas color in both Dragon Sock (100% superwash merino) and Djinni (merino/cashmere/nylon). They also make some stunning greens like Mossy Bank and Dragon Wagon.

Want something non-yarny? We have Charan Sachar's Jumbo Christmas Mugs for the second year!

Want a mystery? Qing Fiber has released a Christmas Even Cast on event with a mystery skein and pattern. SSYC is the source for this in the US, so if you want to join in on the fun, grab yours soon.

Yarn Love's color Firecracker is definitely full of Christmas cheer! I have this in a cashmere blend, cashmere with a smidge of sparkle, and merino/nylon.

And this just arrived an hour ago from Ireland! Last week I shared that we were able to get more of just one of the holiday kit colors we did this year, and Merry & Bright is back once more! If you missed out on the kit (they sold super fast) or wanted more of the color for a larger project, we have more now until it's gone. A BIG thanks for Hedgehog Fibres for making time to dye more for us so quickly and expedite it from Ireland. 

What's on its way? Next week we're expecting even more holiday goodies with a restock of the fast moving striping colors from Knitterly Things. We also have Christmas colored sock sets making their way through Customs from Flock Fiber of Canada. I look forward to sharing these with you next week and perhaps even more!

Cyber Week- free gift with purchase!

This week, Monday through Friday, we are giving you a super adorable free gift with purchase- hand made Christmas stitch markers at Simply Socks Yarn Company! You get one each of a tiny penguin, candy cane and gingerbread man. These would retail for more than $10 a set, and they are yours simply for placing an online order December 2-6. You don't need to add it to your order or put a note on it requesting it (though we do like your kind notes you include on the Check Out page- keep 'em coming!), we will simply tuck in a set before it leaves here. And if you are local, you can get a set this week by ordering online and choosing "in store pickup" and then coming by during the shop Holiday Open House to get your order (and enter all the contests and eat tasty and funny Ugly Christmas Sweater cookies).

This is just another way we want to show our gratitude for allowing us to serve you into our 15th year.  We hope that you'll continue to choose us throughout the year when you need wonderful fiber goodies in your life (and hint to your family that you love us too.) Whether you're treating yourself to something awesome once in awhile or we are a part of your daily knitting life, every purchase you place, every kind comment you leave on Facebook and Instagram, every time you enter a contest here on the blog.... each action affects me and my small staff and our families. Your support reaches dozens of hand dyers and workers at large companies here in the US and around the world. From sheep farmers to shippers, we all do what we do because of your love of your craft.

Now what might you like to purchase to get your tiny, adorable stitch markers? Always check out the Sale Section for deals and the Kits & Clubs link for limited time goodies. Charan Sachar sent us beautiful mugs and yarn bowls, and Hue Loco made us their Christmas Mini Sets (shown below) and more Backyard Chicken colors.

 

For the first time Qing Fibres has released a Christmas Eve Mystery Cast-On, and we are the source for that here in the US. Layla and her London team have dyed up a mystery color on sock and paired it with a mystery pattern my Ambrose Smith (a designer here from Indiana). You can cast on starting on Christmas Eve with others on Ravelry (there will even be a YouTube video at the start time), or start yours in a few days when you get your pattern (via e-mail after purchase) and yarn. It's a mystery until you open it, but Layla says the color is "inspired by cool winter weather and winter walks in the weak winter sunshine." We have a limited amount of this and once its gone we cannot get more. If you miss out, check out some of Layla's other colors on Sock- they are definitely worth a knit. Donegal Tweed Sock is totally knitworthy too, shown below on Nebula.

I'll post more here on the blog throughout this week as more awesomeness arrives. We have some really nice Christmas themed Sock Sets coming from Flock Fibre (though they might not make it through Customs until next week), new colors from Blue Moon Fibre Arts, and more on their way. And if you want to see it all in person, come visit us sometime!