Simply Socks Yarn Co. Blog

Dream in Color Sock It Set, October 2021

It’s spooky October and this month’s Dream in Color Sock It Set is inspired by the haunted statue in Chicago's Graceland Cemetery called Eternal Silence. How's that for gorgeous ghoulishness?

Veronica has this to say about this month's creation:

    You might think that a cemetery breaks with my garden theme. I know that not everyone thinks of cemeteries as “gardens” but some of the best heirloom roses, azaleas, lilacs and hydrangea’s can be found there. If you go visit one bring your garden shears to get some cutting to propagate. 

    Almost every city has a beautiful cemetery and I’ve been to more than my fair share… I went through a “cemetery phase” where I visited one in just about every city I went to. My list of favorites include Pere Lachaise in Paris, Hollywood Cemetery in Richmond VA, St Louis Cemetery in New Orleans and Graceland Cemetery in Chicago. Do you have a favorite cemetery? Does your town need to be on my list? 

This combo is right in my wheelhouse/colorwheel. I love deep hues like the navy/violet of the mini skein, and the murky teal (like oxidized copper) with floral hues makes an uncommon combo that could easily end up muddy if it wasn't dyed by someone with 15 years experience. I especially like the single yellow/gold stitches that remind me of an anther of a flower's stamen - the little part inside that holds all the pollen. This attention to detail is exactly what I love about Veronica's work. I hope you can grab one of these sets while we have them!

Fall Batch of Colossal Sock

I have a stunning batch of Dream in Color's Colossal Sock for you today in the Sale Section. We've had this base for over a year now (it's exclusive to us to celebrate our 15th anniversary and is a super price) and this batch to particularly beautiful. So much so, that I just have to show it off to you in detail.

I love the fall hues like Lafayette, Burr and Pop Up Skein Sept 2021

Then we have other fall-ish hues like Element 79, Catching Stars, and Ginger Ninja

In the mood for awesome but not particularly seasonal? I'm loving Whetstone, Uptown Electric, and Floral Latte.

Love blues, greens and vivid water hues or island notes? Brilliant, Jessamyn and Island are the way to go.

These are just a few of the stashworthy skeins I have for you. Colossal Sock (found in our sale section) is a bit more rustic feeling than some sock yarns. It feels like Smooshy Sock Yarn used to, 15 years ago when it first came out. Smooshy has been reworked over the years to be a bit more smooth, and I do offer that too if you love these colors and want that. I also have many of these in Smooshy with Cashmere, which is about the softest sock yarn you'll ever feel. There's definitely something for everyone with Dream in Color, that's for sure. And tomorrow, I'll share with you October's Sock It Set. It's right up my alley/colorwheel!!!

Laneras Yarn Co. - Barefoot Sock

We've been asked for lots of input over the past few weeks on colors for the upcoming Stephen West MKAL. I've shared a few ideas on Instagram and the recent batch of Barefoot Sock from Laneras Yarn Co. inspired me to share a few color ideas that I like together. 

These colors can all be found in the Sale Section because the price of this beautiful Polwarth wool sock yarn is $10 less than comparable merino skeins. It's a superb deal. You can find all the merino blends under Lanera's former name Vrinda Yarn on our website (they changed their name earlier this year).

I hope this inspires you a bit to combine hues for this shawl. If you are looking for other color ideas or help making sure the colors you like together look as good in person as you hope, just e-mail me at [email protected].

 

What's coming this week

Many of you are waiting for the Cascade 220 Superwash restock so you can get the rest of your colors for the Blanket of Many Stitches MKAL and you'll now find all those colors here. Please note that a few colors were backordered so we can help you sub something similar if you e-mail me at [email protected]. Please don't hesitate if there's a color you want. And if you want the details of the MKAL, you'll find them all here on the initial blog post.

I also have the awesome 2021 holiday color from West Yorkshire Spinners, Vintage Tinsel. It's a super cute stripe with glitter, and it comes with a free pattern that I'll e-mail back to you if you simply respond to your e-mailed receipt and ask me for it.

I'm photographing our restock of Emma's Yarn this week and so I'll have that up for you. Also restocks of the Laneras Yarn Barefoot Sock, which is the only Polwarth wool sock yarn I have. You'll find it in the Sale Section for $19, which is $10 less than comparable merino blends. You're getting a fab deal for a different type of wool. And it's soft and takes the dye beautifully.

I'm sure there will be more too!

 

Just a Tease

You know, just a tease of things to come. Like I do.

Above, the Vintage Christmas 2021 Holiday Color from West Yorkshire Spinners (comes with pattern too). Coming next week. Below, the yarn for the upcoming Boolicious Knit Kit coming the first week of October (there's a bag and accessories too).

I'm super excited about Halloween and Christmas this year. I have some really creative colors, kits and a special SSYC exclusive holiday/winter themed countdown package that I can't wait to share. So. Much!

Colorful New Goodies in the Shop This Week!

I have some really fun things for you this week and more in the coming weeks!

A first for us, a New Year Countdown from Stitch Together Studios! This awesome set is preordered now for early December delivery (please order it alone without other items on the order). We have a limited amount of these sets coming, so if you love deep, brooding color, magic and snarky humor (with a bit of cussing), then please do sign up. You pay now to save your space for December delivery so you can count your way to an awesome 2022 in fiber. 

Also available today is the first of several of our Halloween offerings! Madelinetosh has created their first Halloween set, the Crack the Glowsticks Bundle, and it's here and ready to ship today! It comes with their newest color, Crack the Glowsticks, a fluorescent yellow/green dyed on their holo glitter, which is their Tosh Merino Light with a little bit of iridescent glitter plied in. You'll also find a black waxed canvas project bag with leather loop, and little accessories like a notebook, pencil, leather tag and tapestry needle. And as token of appreciation from SSYC to you, we're gifting you a little glow-in-the-dark-star accessory pouch. The pouch doesn't come with this kit from other sources, it's just a gift from me. Supplies are limited but we'll have other awesome Halloween yarns and kits in a few weeks for you. It's just the start of the season!

If you'd like to use your skein of Crack the Glowstick with another color or two, here are the ones that Heather suggests to use with them. You know she's our color diva. Pair Crack the Glowsticks with Magic, LYS, Maiyet, Lamplight, Bone Coral, Beta, It's Lit or Hydroponic. My personal faves are the Bone Coral, Beta and It's Lit.

Opal Yarn has sent us two new collections, the Rainforest 17 collection and 25 Years of Opal. Can you believe that Opal's been around that long? Hundreds of awesome collections and millions of hours of addictive knitting have come from this German company and I'm so glad to have offered them now for 16 years.

We also have restocks of the Joy collection (I'm knitting this one) and solids.

And for those of you waiting on colors of Cascade 220 Superwash so you can amass the four colors you want for your blanket, I expect to have those here Monday or Tuesday of this coming week. There are three colors (of there 100+ selection) that are unavailable, so if you need help with subs once you look at the website next week, just let me know and we're happy to color compare for you and find you something awesome. And if you haven't yet joined in the MKAL, full details are available here on the blog.

Flock Fibres

We have a rare batch of yarny goodies from the edge of the Canadian Rockies - it's Flock Fibres!

We expected this yarn in time for the Christmas in July event over a month ago, but as I've shared here before you can do months of planning and waiting and getting imported goods is still a crapshoot. Dyers have a hard time getting base yarn, certain dye powder or hands on help. Then there are issues with shipping and importing on both ends. Such is pandemic life. You think it's going to start getting better and then you realize, nope, we're still in the thick of it.

So what I have for you is a complete restock of Take a Hike sock yarn, Lone Pine Singles, and Flock Sock Sets. We also have skein of some of the newer holiday hues that we haven't had before. 

Here are the holiday sock sets I have for you. I also have just the skeins too, if you don't want a mini or want several skeins for a larger project.

Holly Days

Yule Ball

Winter Lights

Gingerbread Party

One Foggy Christmas Eve

All I Want for Christmas is Ewe

And if you wanted to make the Sweet & Tartan socks by Tracie Millar, we have those three color options again too. The one below is S&T set no. 1.

Photo courtesy of Tracie Millar

Many of you are asking for help assembling colors for Stephen West's upcoming MKAL, and Flock Fibres is perfect for that. Kim's colors look so great together, so get to lookin' and if you have questions about whether or not the color's you're choosing look as good together as you hope, just e-mail me at [email protected].

Cascade Yarn - Blanket of Many Stitches Knitalong

Cascade Yarns is hosting a blanket KAL and I know that many of you participated in it last time, so I wanted to share this one with you. Details can be found here at this PDF, which also includes many color ideas. If you see a four color combo there and you don't see one of the hues on our website, I'm happy to help you find a sub for it, as we do carry all the colors of Cascade 220 Superwash. It could be that someone simply purchased the last of a color you want and it's coming soon, or that we could find you a nice sub. They have so many great colors that it's easy to sub things here and there and come up with a stunning result.

If you do want something particular and we don't have the quantity in stock right now, just e-mail me at [email protected] and I'll put in an order at the end of the week to get you what you need. The KAL doesn't start until the end of the month, so it gives us plenty of time to get the yarn here and into your hands.

There are several pages of colors ideas at this link. And, again, if you want something you don't see on our website, just e-mail me, Allison, at [email protected] and we can do a special order and have it to you in a couple weeks. The pattern calls for 17 balls of yarn, so obviously qualifies for free US shipping too.

Cascade 220 Superwash is the yarn that I use for all the baby blankets I make for friends. While it's soft and holds up well to washing, I'll admit that my favorite thing about this yarn is the wide array of colors. There's nothing quite like standing at our back wall and seeing 150+ colors all lined up and being able to imagine the possibilities.

I've noticed that KALs (knitalongs) have gained popularity since the pandemic. Since we all can't get out and about with our friends like we used to, it's a great way to share with others, get inspired by someone else's color ideas and creativity, and feel like we're doing a bit of adventuring. It's a fun chance of pace, if you're not used to doing one. Do join!

To make it super easy, here's what you do in three steps:

1. Go here to sign up for Cascade's newsletter so you get the clues to the mystery pattern when they are released on Sept. 29.
2. Read this so you have the details and can choose your colors.
3. Go to the Cascade 220 Superwash section to purchase your yarn. Don't see the color/s you want in the quantities you need? E-mail me, Allison, at [email protected] and ask to do a special order that we'll order for you at the end of the week so that we can get your yarn to you before the Mystery KAL begins at the end of the month. Several of you have already e-mailed today asking for colors that sold out fast and we'll make that happen.
4. Want to shop for your colors in person? Come visit us this Saturday or Tuesday! Our full schedule of open days is here and we're located in Fort Wayne, IN.

Checking In

Well, goodness friends. Life has been.... Life, lately. It's not amazing, it's not awful. It's just been quite overwhelming, and underwhelming? Is that possible to have both? I think so. Especially since what we were told would be a two-week-stay-in-place has turned into a year and a half of turmoil, anxiety filled sadness and disheartening stories.

Let's start with the good things. The shop is awesome. It's so well put together, we're on top of everything, we are busy, and it's just really so nice to see and experience. Especially after a year and a half of really anxious and difficult times with lots of juggling. It's like a big exhale and a bright spot to see, and my staff is so great at what they do. Plus it's been just refreshing to see people in the shop again, everyone is nice about wearing masks all the time, and we have all remained healthy and as safe as possible. We get a lot of appreciative feedback from in-person shoppers about how happy they are with being able to shop safely, and how nice it is to see/touch/experience the shop as usual, and it makes me happy.

Another great thing? My kids are back in school (I didn't even get a photo of the first day b/c I am not mobile - details below). It's been a full week now and they are both really enjoying it. James is starting fall soccer this week with practices and games outdoors, and Henry gets to be in his school's choir for the first time. He could have joined last year as a second grader, but they canceled choir because of the pandemic. This year, at least so far, it's going to happen and I can't wait to hear his sweet little voice singing along with his friends.

One thing that's making life hard is the constant gloom of the looming pandemic. COVID-19 rates are getting higher where we are, I wonder when my kids' school experience will be interrupted again by a quarantine of some sort, Henry is too young to be vaccinated, and I worry about my family's health, my staff's health, and the general public. I worry that I could be doing something different/more to make things better. I worry that the issues importing and getting certain things will continue or (gasp) get worse. I worry that even if I do my best, it might not be enough to make people happy. I don't share much about the intricacies of running a small business during a pandemic, but the struggle is real. Every day is something new to tackle.

Another hardship.... I tore my Achilles tendon. I can't walk, I can't drive, I can't stand - well, I started moving more today at least, so I'm feeling some hope. I can't function normally. I completely rely on others for nearly everything. It really sucks for me, as I'm not only used to doing things myself, but I tend to juggle a lot and that's difficult right now. We'll see if booting it for two months has solved it, or if I need surgical intervention. I'm not willing to allow a partial recovery because I lead a very active and sporty life, and I want to continue in that for a long time. This is a different injury than I had this spring (and the other foot).

But I did learn a lesson in my injury. That post-pandemic (if that's what you'd even call this time, which doesn't seem correct), or at least post-lockdown, I can't expect to go back to normal immediately. Not mentally or physically. That I have to allow myself some grace. A slow build up of mind, of muscle. A loss of anxiety and weight. And I should forgive myself for not being the same person I was 2 years ago. I won't be winning any sand volleyball tournaments this summer. I won't be hiking this fall like I enjoyed last fall. I won't be attending birthday parties or group events. These things I just can't do physically or mentally right now. I'll get there. But I'm going to get there slowly, and that's going to have to be fine.

Are you with me on this? Do you have similar feelings? Like now that we are vaccinated we should be of more service, connecting with all the people we missed, getting our kids back together with their groups/friends? Do you feel an odd guilt for not really wanting to do these things again? I do. I feel like I stayed healthy and I should be getting back to things, but I don't yet feel ready to do them. I'm not going to push myself to feel differently yet. Instead, I'm going to ease myself back into "normalcy." Whatever that looks like.

If you have found a solution to this mindset, what is it? Do you meditate? Or are you in a job/life where you can't allow yourself this grace, so dealing with it all just seems normal? I'd love to know where you are at with this.

My staff and I are all taking this holiday weekend off, so online orders will ship starting Tuesday. And if you want to pick up at the Contactless Pickup box, the first day that would be available will be Wednesday, 11am-1pm. Happy Labor Day weekend, y'all!