Simply Socks Yarn Co. Blog

Leap Day Gift w/ purchase!

2020 is a Leap Year, meaning it has one extra day added to keep the calendar year synchronized. February 29th is that day, so in keeping with the one-extra-thing theme, we are celebrating by giving you one mini skein with your online purchases on Feb. 28 and 29! Just place your order online as usual and we will tuck one of these Hedgehog Fibres 20g mini skein into your package before it ships this week. A little surprise from us to you (that usually retails around $10.50 each).

These are fun to have on hand to add a bit of color to your project. I recently added mismatching toes and heels to a stockinette sock, and I loved the results. It was just a fun way to add an unexpected pop to my socks and I'm glad I had minis on hand to do it.

We have some awesome mini-gradient sets planned for you for spring, and I thought this would be a nice way to introduce the superb quality of the fiber and color on these. Some of you may have participated in our first ever Hedgehog Fibres Advent Event last holiday season, and you know how awesome these little mini skeins can be.

And it's also a good way to hint at some of the new Hedgehog Fibres colors that I hope to debut to you next week.... when I'm allowed. They are epic.

Artist Series Sock Yarn Club

Sign ups are now open for the Artist Series, our 23rd club! And if you sign up before the end of February, the price includes half price shipping. March 1st the price goes up.... that is if the club isn't sold out by then.

 

In this club, I've asked three sought after dyers to create a colorway inspired by one of their favorite artists. Each will be delivering their own unique work of fiber art, and I can't wait to share them with you each month. The images here may give you a little taste of one of the months featuring one of our dyer's inspiration- Claude Monet.

 

 

Each month (April/May/June) you'll receive a limited edition skein of sock yarn and a surprise or two to help paint the color story of the artist inspiration. I'll also e-mail you pattern suggestions and perhaps some other treats like the coupon codes.

 

Thank you so much for your continued support as Simply Socks Yarn Company enters our 15th year of serving you. Please don't hesitate to sign up for the club before the end of the month if you'd like me to cover half of the shipping cost, making your club just $144 for the entire three months of yarn and goodies. And if you are new to our clubs, please feel free to e-mail any questions to me, Allison, at service@simplysockyarn.com. Our clubs have been pretty darned popular over the years. Not only is this a great way to be introduced to a perhaps new-to-you dyer, but it's also a treat to receive a curated package in the mail every month featuring some amazing artistry that you can't get elsewhere. I mean, how many times in adulthood do we clap our hands together in excited anticipation when we get mail?! Our enrollment has steadily increased over the past decade+, which says a lot. And I love that so many of you have been enrolling year after year. I do hope you'll join us again, or for the first time. And please do contact me asap if you have questions, because the club typically sells out in a week to ten days.

Weekend Hat, a SUCCESS!

It worked! Trying to knit a hat in one weekend worked like a charm to bring back my knitting mojo.

So well that I finished TWO hats.

Yes, they were child sized, but my knitting mojo has returned and I'm super stoked about that.

If you want to knit yourself a weekend hat or two, this is what I did. The first one used Malabrigo Rios in Apple Green. The second one used Rios in Sunset on the bottom and Aguas on the top. And James wanted some "white" so I had some Tenderfoot in color 103-Alabaster that I held double. Yep, it all worked wonderfully together and now I'm knitting a scarf in Tenderfoot too.

Cast on 88 sts, (I used Malabrigo Rios and a US 4 16" circ needle) join in a round. Knit a few inches of 2x2 rib for a fold over brim. Then I switched to stockinette and simply knit until I put it on my son's head and decided I needed to decrease every other round. Bind off and sew in ends.

Weekend Hat

My knitting mojo has waned lately. I started out the year strong, nearly finishing a pair of socks, but then life got in the way of my knitting. Usually I knit at kid sporting events, doc appointments, and in front of the TV at night. But Terry and I have been coaching the boys' volleyball and basketball Y teams since fall (I know, who am I?? This leg of the parenting journey is all new to me....), so I can't sit and knit at the game- instead I'm running back and forth on the court. And we are all pretty darn healthy, so there are no doctor appointments.... at least until the two-year-braces-journey starts for James. And I'm just so done by the end of the day that the idea of just casting on something seems exhausting. And even at school events lately I'm chatting with other parents and having a jolly time instead of knitting. I mean it's a full life and all, but dang, I miss the stitches.

SO. Tonight, Friday night I'm casting on a new project. Just a simple ribbed hat for Henry. Something I can finish in the weekend, and then maybe cast on another hat on Monday for James. I was thinking teal, but then Genie e-mailed me about her grandson's green hat and now I want to do the same. I'm thinking in Apple Green in Malabrigo's worsted weight Rios. You all are such influences!

Henry hasn't gotten a new hat since I knit him this one last year in Tosh DK's Danger Will Robinson, which to me is the best color of all time. But I'm thinking that perhaps I might add a big stripe of this color in with the Apple Green hat. I want to be able to see this kid on the playground!

Do any of you mamas and gramas do that same? Put your kid in a highlighter yellow shirt or neon hat so you can find him on a busy playground? I feel like that's a tip every parent should know.

I'm hoping that getting a Henry-sized hat done this weekend will provide me enough momentum to keep going and going like it always does. But I just have to start.

If you want to see my progress this weekend, follow along on Instagram. I welcome all encouragement so that I keep going on my weekend knitting adventure. All the way to the finish line.

It's all about YELLOW

Last fall, I did a feature of the colors of brown I was obsessed with in the shop. I promised more blog posts about color, and here we are in winter and I'm just getting around to yellow. I'm going to set myself a phone reminder to do another color in March, so if you have a specific color you'd like me to focus on, please do tell me ... I'll even make it more interesting by making it a contest- comment just once telling me what color you'd like me to feature and why. I'll send one lucky randomly chosen commenter a skein of your choice in that color. Comment before noon EST Sunday, Feb 23, please.

Artfil's Sunflower in Sock and Singles, a beautiful variegated yellow

Today's focus is on...... yellow. Also described as flaxen, saffron, gold, blonde, straw, golden, lemon, amber, butter... all these are used to describe different shades of yellow. And I'm betting there's one of these that you like WAY more than the others. Or one that you definitely do not like. Me? I love a good vivid gold. But I'm not a fan at all of a pale, sunshiny yellow that's a bit on the green tinged side.

Above, Yarn Love's. Candied Lemon. Below, Yarn Love's Saffron. I would choose the color below over the one above, but I'm betting that many of you feel the opposite.

The right yellow can make or break your project. Adding just a bit to your project can really make it pop. I added a fourth color to my Magical Thinking b/c I wanted a bit of yellow. But it does have to be the right yellow. Adding a warm toned yellow might look great. But adding a cool toned yellow could force a lemon-face. That's why we're always happy to help you choose the right skeins if you e-mail. Who wants to make a sour face when they look at their chosen colors?

Maybe you just want a pop of yellow. Or perhaps, like Rachael, you make an entire Chamomile colored Touch the Sky cardigan. I mean, why not? It's stunning.

Or you could make a two color project like Bennet Sister that uses yellow to make that deep and brooding color really pop. Like the Malabrigo Sock combo below of Mask and Frank Ochre.

Dragonfly's Apollo

Swift Yarn's Fields of Gold

Swift Yarn's Desert Bloom

Vrinda's Pada Sock in Sol

Now that I think about it, there really isn't a better mood-lifting color than yellow, is there? This might be the perfect time of year to start a yellow project, even a really small one like a pair of Rose City Rollers. Just something to perk myself up a bit. I've been feeling rather "meh" lately. The holidays are over and we are still months away from spring here in the Midwest. It's a rather muddy, dreary time that could definitely be lifted with a bit of sunshine, whether that be in the form of weather or yarn. Heck, I could combine two things that would life my mood, yellow and Opal Yarn with this color

Or a pair of the Smock Madness socks with one of these yellows

Ugly Duckling

Qing Sock in Biscuit

Flock Fibre's Honey in the Sun

Hand Maiden's Casbah in Saffron would make an adorable Baby Vertebrae or any of the sizes.

If you take just five minutes to browse our yarn, I'm betting you could find at least a handful of yellows that you find knitworthy. And if you're like me and you could use a bit of pep this time of year, maybe we should get on that and knit some sun.

And if you're in a place for a fade that features yellow, here's an idea for you that I just posted to Insta.

Life in the Long Grass Singles in Cushion and Chrysalis, Six and Seven Fibers Barley Singles in I'll Teach the Lot and Dreaming on a Train, Qing Merino Singles in Monsoon and Moss. You could use all or just three or four starting wherever you like. Rachael put this together. She's just a bit good with color, right?

Now go enter the contest and help me decide what color you feature next!

Winner of 12 Days of Sock Yarn

As has become custom, it's mid-feb before I find time to blog about the 12 Days of Sock Yarn winners. Is it any surprise that I still have some Christmas decorations at home not yet put away either? Truth!

All the winners of the contest have been e-mailed, so if you think one of these is you, then please do check your spam folder and e-mail me at service@simplysockyarn.com.

It was a pleasure getting to know you every day of the 12 days. I really do enjoy reading comments and getting ideas on how to make my holiday celebrations more memorable and special. You all have some of the best ideas. Here are the winning people with their prizes and answers.

Day 1: Flock Holiday set, Susan I

I always send out Christmas cards and I love getting them too. My favorite kinds to receive are photo cards and newsletter cards—- it’s nice to catch up with family and friends in a way that doesn’t involve social media.

Day 2: Jumbo Cwc mug, Cindy

We took the 3 youngest grandkids 7 through 16 on a 12 day road trip in an RV (never done that before) from Oregon to Yellowstone then the Crazy Horse monument and on to Mt Rushmore. In the knitting world I entered Sock Madness for the first time and made it through the 4th round. Learned so many new techniques- several I’ve used again and again like the German long tail cast on. I’ve improvised a hat and a pair of socks with my own pattern.

Day 3: 3 HF Skinny, Renee S

Right now I am knitting The Birthday Bash Shawl by Callie Monster. It is lots of fun. I was determined to finish my Fading Point by Joji. I am down to the two edge pieces. I love it but I keep getting side tracked so it is high on my to do list for next year. Also, girls in my knitting group said the Goldfish Memories Shawl is great fun so that is high on my list. My ravelry name is: yoyosocksister

Day 4: "tools and accessories galore" Teri P

My husband bought a knitting machine for me many years ago. I used it a bunch when my son was young, but other than playing with it a bit last spring, haven't knit with it in more than 25 years. I had to Google how to set it up for my play sessions last spring!

Day 5:2 skeins self-striping, Savannagal

I love eggnog, but I try to stay away from it. It goes right to my muffintop.

Day 6: Hue Loco Backyard Chicken set, Dora (we just got a full restock of these sets too!)

My favorite is Perfect Blend Shawl MKAL which was like eating potato chips and beautiful when finished.

Day 7: $50 gift certificate, Debra C

I actually slept in this morning...a rare occurrence. I am behind on my holiday decorating so I should probably get that done today. I decorate my mantle with snowmen and candles so I leave it up all winter.⛄️

Day 8: 2 Qing Super Soft, Dana S

I support a child from Indonesia through compassion. I was an exchange student there when I was just out of high school so I have a soft spot for Indonesia and the people who love there. I donate things locally too for students who may not have food on the weekends. They send a bag of food home with these students so they have something to eat at home. I don’t knit much for charity but I have donated hats for a Relay for Life fundraisers.

Day 9: 3 skeins Merino Light, Marie S

I love multicolored yarn but I'm trying to add to my stash. I have various projects on the go as I have migraines so depending on the day makes the decision as to which project I can work on.

Day 10: $50 Gift Card, Carol

Yes! We have a monthly knitting group that has been going strong for maybe 17 years, with attendees always in flux. I'm the keeper of the email list, so I get to determine the day each month to knit, and we gather at a coffee shop out in public so that nobody has to host and feel the burden of cleaning up the house!

Day 11: 3 balls Opal, Marilyn 

I knit mostly for myself this year

Day 12: 3 skeins Jilly Sharon Rocha 

My resolutions are 2 finish as many projects that i am still interested in & get rid of the Rest.simplify!

 

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Thanks, all, for your infinite patience with me as I found time to get this contest finished. I always look forward to this event and I'm so glad that we get it give out so many awesome prizes. Want more changes to win? Check here and on Insta and Facebook for all the ways to win. We'll be doing LOTS this summer to celebrate our 15th anniversary, so make sure to check back for news on all the ways we will be celebrating.

Ask the Knitters

Dear Knitters,

I have recently retired (2020 is the Year of Connie) and I want to start knitting down my stash.... or my retirement savings account. I have accumulated many single hand dyed skeins from clubs and kits over the years and I want to use my time knitting down my stash into gifts for people. I don't have particular family in mind for these gifts, I just want to start knitting projects I can keep on hand for when there is a gift that needs given, like a last minute birthday gift for my son's girlfriend, for example.

Can you give me suggestions for things you think I should knit with my stash? Fun projects that look nice with both variegated and tonals yarns? I have mostly single skeins of a color - sock weight.  I can't wait to get started!

    - Retired in Rhode Island

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Help a knitter out and leave your advice in the comments section below.  Have a question you'd like to see answered here?  Simply title an e-mail Ask the Knitters and send it on to service@simplysockyarn.com . Your question could be chosen for this series.

New from Dream in Color

Dream in Color has sent us all their new colors, over a dozen of them, on Jilly Singles and Smooshy with Cashmere. They are all so lovely that I'm showing them all here. Some are bold and vivid displays of color like Veronica and her dyeing team are known for. Others are a bit more muted and subtle and really expertly executed.

All colors are shown on Jilly Singles, which is wonderful for garments and lightweight accessories. I knit an epic Sockhead Hat for my childhood bestie for Christmas in 2016 in the Cabaret color, shown above. Keep in mind that as always I take photos of the new dyelots so of course the one pictured here is the accurate lot for what we have and doesn't match the hat from four years ago. And at just $22.75 a skein, Jilly is  a super deal for a superwash merino single that's plied really evenly and expertly dyed.

Leather Wave is a seriously nice neutral. 

The Edge reminds me of a stormy sky. Totally wearable for those that like denim blues with a bit more interest.

Browncoat features really nice burnished browns. It's a quite dynamic, tonal brown.

More than Blush is exactly that. More than a basic blush.

Serenity reminds me a lot of their Fierce Scarlet more more deep and brooding.

Time Machine is a nice grey with a slightly putty undertone. So not a blue gray or a greige, but with a slight steely purple undertone.

Brass and Steam is like the first day the leaves fall from the trees- really vivid bronzes and green with a bit of brown and gold.

This is Polish the Sterling- a natural with specks of blue and charcoal.

I really like Blurry Eyed. I think it would be great for a scarf for my man.

Clockwork Heart is a lovely way to wear red and have it go with nearly everything from khakis to jeans to a black coat.

Blossom is a skein layered with grey and pale pink/mauve. It's sweet, but kind of plays like a neutral.

Tiny Blue is a grey with bluish undertones. Bluish lilac undertones really.

Spoil the Littles is the perfect celadon/jade green.

Cotton Wick would make a really nice base to a colorwork-yoke sweater. It's natural but with with a hint of yellow/green specks.

For those of you who have been waiting for more of the 150g Colossal Sock skeins to appear back in the Sale Section, I should have more for you this week and even more later in February. This is the 150g skein that Dream in Color is dyeing just for us this year to commemorate our 15th anniversary (in June). I'll continue to stock this as they can dye it and boy does it go fast. Here it is below compared to a regular sized skein of yarn. A great deal for just $21.

Sweetest Heart sock pattern free with purchase

It's time to celebrate Valentine's Day at Simply Socks Yarn Company! Not only did our Love Note Knit Kit just come out today, but we also have some other awesome gifts you can give yourself this February.... and I'm also gifting you something myself. With any purchase online now through Feb 10 you'll receive a copy of the Sweetest Heart sock pattern.

The Sweetest Heart sock was designed by Lara Neel years ago to go with one of our first Valentine Knit Kits, and now we're bringing it back and giving it to everyone who orders. This will arrive in your email Inbox within 3 days of your order shipping, so please do add service@simplysockyarn.com to your contacts so your e-mail server doesn't think it's spam. If you haven't received it a few days after your order (and have checked your junk/spam folder) please do e-mail me so I can make sure you get your pattern. 

The color shown on this sock is a retired one from eight years ago, so Kayanna at Stitch Together Studios designed the Besamé colorway to really set off the pattern nicely. It's a lovely speckle and I blogged last week about coordinating colors that really set it off if you want to use it for a larger project. This colorway is limited edition, so don't miss out.

What else might you like to purchase to receive your free pattern? We have our Shawl Cuffs back in stock! These are locally made and at just $15 each they are half the price of most other hand made leather shawl cuffs.

We also have the To Australia with Love color from Tosh as well as a new shipment of stunning hues in Twist Light Sock, Tosh Merino Light and Tosh DK.

Want Opal Minis? Those are back too along with the new Jazz collection. I'm knitting this color right now from the Fairytale collection and it's definitely a winner.

 

Free Pattern w/ purchase through Feb 14!

We're giving you a free pattern with your online purchase at SSYC Feb 1 through Feb 14 this month! What do you have to do to get your free pattern? Just place an order online and I'll e-mail you your copy of the Sweetest Heart Sock pattern a few days after your order ships. Make sure to add service@simplysockyarn.com to your e-mail contacts so that you get your copy (or e-mail me a week after your order if you still can't find it in your Inbox).

Besamé with Lush

Lara Neel designed this pattern for one of our Valentine Knit Kits years ago and it's since been a fave. While the yarn color shown above isn't available anymore, Kayanna at Stitch Together Studios created the Besamé speckle  to go with it. I blogged last week about coordinating colors for Besamé, should you want to do something larger like a Kallara shawlette or Assana Wrap.

We also have a crazy amount of Madelinetosh right now, since we got our latest shipment last week. Here are a few of the new-to-us colors (hover over them to see the name). All shown on Merino Light. We also have the To Australia with Love colorway.