Simply Socks Yarn Co. Blog

Malabrigo Yarn's Ultimate Sock

Edited to add a month later - It's HERE! Check it out!

Malabrigo is soon releasing a new sock yarn WITH NYLON! Their original Malabrigo Sock has been their most popular base for years, and about two years ago they sent me a sample of a yarn that they wanted me to test. A super secret skein of sock yarn that had some nylon. I gave it a try, gave some feedback and after another year or so they came back to me with a new base to test and and I'm super duper happy with it and will have it in the shop for you soon. I have another skein that I'll soon cast on to show off on Instagram, Facebook and here, and I'll show you how it's knitting up. But since I've already tasted this base, I'll share that I like it just as much as the non-nylon Sock that we've offered for more than a decade. It's plied the same way, has the same feel, but also has 25% nylon for even greater durability for socks and accessories that get a bit more friction. I know many sock knitters want a bit of nylon, and while I think that if you knit a dense fabric on the foot with a 100% superwash merino yarn it wears just as nicely as one with nylon, it will be nice to have one with nylon too.

I can't wait to share more with you, but til then you can look through the initial 30 colors that they are releasing. And, of course, I'll have it for you as soon as it ships.

Madelinetosh's Mood Ring Colors

I have a special restocks of colors for you from Madelinetosh! Some colors in their lineup are unpredictable and look different enough from dye lot to dye lot that they don't offer them anymore in their collection. 6 of these retired colors are super popular and we all really wanted a comeback, so Madelinetosh has released them again and it coud be just a once a year type thing. These "Mood Ring Colors' are Fog, Opaline, Vintage Sari, Fallen Cloud, Cold Shoulder and Texasbama - all shown below in Tosh Merino Light.

Opaline

Fog

Vintage Sari

Cold Shoulder

TexasBama

Fallen Cloud

I also have these available for you on Tosh Sock, Twist Light Sock, Tosh Vintage Worsted, Tosh DK and Pashmina. At least while supplies last. And if they are offered again, you know I'll get them and add them to our 300+ line up that we offer. Texasbama has long been a fave of mine - I knit a Sockhead Cowl (shown below) awhile back in Twist Light Sock color TexasBama. I love how the wild color looks knit up. And Vintage Sari, Opaline and Fallen Cloud have been faves here for a decade. I'm glad they have brought all these back, even if for a limited time.

Let's hope Madelinetosh brings back some of their other retired colorways again when they are able to get predictable results in the more finicky colorys. Afterall, hand dyeing yarn takes a certain kind of artistry to produce, and since the minerals in the water, minerals in the dye powder, amount of heat and the person dyeing the colors that day can all vary, we can always get a bit of differences. It's part of the charm of hand dyed yarn, afterall. Am I right?

Emma's Yarn Mini Skein Sets

I have something super drool worthy to share with you today! Emma's Yarn is putting together 10-mini-skein packs they are calling Theme Packs, kind of a play on where their studio is located in central Florida. Winter Park is surrounded by Universal Studios, Disney, Legoland and more and I think it's a cool way to use that inspiration in their colorwork. Plus, I just love minis.

Blooming Bougainvillea

They have released just 6 different color sets. which we have all here.

And, of course, I love these so much that I ordered A LOT of single mini skeins so you now have a lot of options for small amounts of yarn that you can use for toes and heels, adding a stripe of color to a basica project and more. Plus these little gems are just addictive to collect and then dream about how your might use. I hope those arrive in 6-8 weeks. Plus another base that I can't wait to share....

There's also a fun pattern to use with the yarn, designed mom-to-Emma-and-Aspen, who also owns the yarn shop the sister dyers grew up in. Do check out Tropical Dilemma if you want to use all 10 mini skeins in one pattern.

It uses the Sailor's Delight pack.

Hue Loco's Somewhere Over the Rainbow Color Collection

I'm so pleased to share that we have the new, limited edition Hue Loco collection, Somewhere Over the Rainbow! Nicole and her crew were inspired by the land of Oz and created this 10 color series to whet all our appetites for fantasy and color. I have them all on Merino Sock and Tweed Sock. Want the see em? 

Somewhere Over the Rainbow on Tweed Sock

 

Way Up High on Merino Sock

Once in a Lullaby on Merino Sock

Skies Are Blue on Tweed Sock

Dreams That You Dare To Dream on Merino Sock

Do Come True on Tweed Sock

Troubles Melt Like Lemondrops on Tweed Sock

Way Above the Chimney Tops on Merino Sock

Happy Little Bluebirds Fly on Merino Sock

Why Oh Why Can't I on Tweed Sock

They are all super awesome and I have my faves on Tweed Sock and Merino Sock. 

If you like these, they aren't a normal stock type of thing, it's a limited color run. So don't miss out!

Tosh Sport 25% off + Pattern w/ Purchases!

Let's continue celebrating SSYC's 17th Birthday this week with a super deal on Madelinetosh Tosh Sport in the Sale Yarn section plus an awesome pattern that I'm knitting right now. Want the details?

Northeast Kingdom

Madelinetosh is discontinuing their Tosh Sport, so they've dyed up a big ol' batch for us and it's 25% off in our Sale Yarn section right now. I added 175 color to the website last night, so if you haven't seen them yet, I recommend taking a look. They all start on page 2 of the Sale Yarn section and are marked as MT Tosh Sport (color name). There's quite a lovely array of colorways to choose from - tonal solids, speckles, wild variegated hues - all sorts of popular and new hues from Texas hand dyer Madelinetosh. We also have MT Euro Sock in the sale section too, which is a fingering weight yarn NOT sport, so don't confuse the two for the purpose of these pattern suggestions.

Amber Trinket

What might you want to knit with yours? Well, the first option is the Sommelier Shawl by Janina Kallio of Wollenberry. Not only is the pattern a stunner and highly addictive and adaptable to different weights of yarn, but it's also a gift from me to you with your purchases Monday 6/13 through Sunday 6/26. For two weeks I'll be gifting you this pattern with any purchase at SSYC. You don't have to ask for it or add it to your cart in any way. I'll simply e-mail it to you a few days after your online purchase. Or if you shop in person on one of our open days during that time period simply put your e-mail address on the list at the counter and you'll get your pdf within a few days. If you don't get your pdf within 5 business days of your purchase (and you've checked Spam and added service@simplysockyarn.com to your Contacts, just respond to your receipt and ask me to send again. But please do wait the five business days.

Sommelier Shawl photo courtesy of Janina Kallio

I'm knitting the Sommelier Shawl right now in this yarn. Any of the Metamorphosis gradients would be stunning. I used one needle size smaller than the pattern recommends, but other than that I'm not making any adjustments for using a fingering weight yarn and I'm simply going to continue in the pattern until I run out of yarn. If you want to knit the sport weight version like in the pattern, you'd simply choose two skeins of the sale Tosh Sport and have at it! I love the idea of using some of the glazed solids with this pattern, but I think that some of the speckled colors would be fab too. 

Hide and Peak photo courtesy of Maxim Cyr

What else might you like to knit in addition to the Sommelier Shawl? Let's start with sweaters. I do have sweater quantities of the colors right now, but of course that will change as the week goes on. Hide and Peak is a great choice if you want to combine colors. And we are happy to help you with four color combo ideas if you want them. Just e-mail me, Allison, at service@simplysockyarn.com and tell what color or two you'd like to build around and we'll be your personal shoppers from afar and e-mail you back color ideas. Also look at the Aimee Cardigan if you like to combine colors into something fabulous.

Aimee Cardigan photo courtesy of Joji Locatelli

Want single color sweaters? Look at the Winterfell Cardi. How about Aliso Creek Top (in Forestry or Glazed Pecan or Sabine!!), Oak Hill Top (Grasshopper or Danger Will Robinson Solid or Winter Wheat) or Staple Linen Top. No, you don't have to use linen for that tank. Shop helper and super sweater knitter Diana says she's going to knit it in Tosh Sport b/c a non linen would "lay nicely, is soft and has more give. Linen doesn't wick away sweat. I would wear a wool tank any time of the year. Great alone or under a cardigan." She also suggests the Ochoco Tee because it's "size inclusive and could be great for all seasons as well in Tosh Sport."  There's also a cowl to coordinate. So there ya go!

Opus photo courtesy of Maxim Cyr

Perhaps you want accessories? There's Opus, a beautiful shawl by Maxim Cyr. Oh and all his patterns are 25% through June 30 to celebrate Pride Month so this is the perfect time to get it. Details are on his pattern pages. Ooooh. Also look at his Hat and Peak below. Super cool too.

Hat and Peak photo courtesy of Maxim Cyr

Other accessory ideas include the Aeria shawl, Huldras Mittens, Heart of the Forest Mittens, Rhizo, Heathersacpe, Fallen Feathers Hat. And of course, socks. Basic ones like Just Yer Basic Sport Socks would be great.

I hope this starts you down the rabbit hole of yarn+pattern combos like it did me. There's certainly a lot to choose from, so if you need color suggestions or assistance you know where to find me!

Picture Post

Just a picture post to tell you that I'm still around this week and frantically trying to get some gorgeous skeins photographed for you for our next 17th Birthday Special next week. It's been a busy week for me. Can't wait to share more!!!

SSYC's 17th Birthday Goodies & Contest

We have some awesome birthday goodies to share with you! Just take a look at the Kits & Clubs section to see all the SSYC Hat Sets we have for $10 off ($33 instead of $43) and the Summit Summer sock sets we have from Freckled Whimsy in both fingering and dk weight sets. I'm knitting the DK weight set below and I find everything about it addictive- the stripes, how quickly DK knits up, the extra squish that the DK gives.... it's all splendid.

Then, comment here for your chance to win a $50 gift certificate! Just tell me in the comments about how long you've been shopping with us. Has it been all of our 17 years? I know there are quite a few of you! Have you just found us and haven't yet ordered? Then tell us that. We would love to know how long you've been supporting us, if you have an idea. Just leave your comment by noon EST this Friday, June 10 and I'll randomly choose one person to win a $50 gift certificate to the shop. You can also enter on Instagram and Facebook for two more chances to win.

Madelinetosh Euro Sock in When Particles Collide

Want another deal? In addition to the goodies shared above, I'm also offering your 10% off our already discounted Sale Yarn section by using coupon code SaleTen at Check Out. Just another way we're celebrating!

17th Birthday Treats This Week, a Preview

Last week was our week long, in person 17th birthday party and this week we start our summer long online celebration! If you've shopped with us for awhile, you may know that we celebrate our June 2nd birthday all summer long. This gives us an opportunity to really treat you to a myriad of sales, limited edition kits and clubs, gifts and more. And it's just fun to celebrate all summer. Our makers really seem to enjoy creating celebratory colors and treats that aren't focused on a specific holiday color scheme, and I really like making what they come up with. Want to see what I'm working on now?

This is the Summit Summer striping colorway that Karrie of Freckled Whimsy has dyed up for us. I named it Summit Summer because our city, Fort Wayne, is known as Summit City and the color itself reminds me of our urban Promenade Park - skies, water, sun, and flowers but with a bit of an urban edge. This stripe is nine colors and I'm knitting the DK weight myself, 48 stitch around using size US 3 double point needles. As you can see, the striping repeat makes up the entire leg of the sock. I didn't use a pattern, but this one would work really well. If you haven't knit DK weight sock before, I highly recommend it. It's a quick, squishy knit. Very satisfying.

Summit Summer will be available tomorrow at the Kits & Clubs link on both Sock and DK weights, as a Sock Set with a white mini skein. There's plenty of yardage for socks, but you could of course use these for a cowl, mitts, a hat or more. 

What else will be available tomorrow? I have some gorgeous, limited edition SSYC Hat Sets and they will all be $10 off to celebrate our birthday! That's right, instead of $43 for the full sized skein of Madelinetosh and hand made pom pom, these will be just $33! This is just one of the many great sale goodies I'll have for you this summer. 

I'll have 11 different SSYC Hat Sets for you tomorrow, and another 11 sets in July. These feature Madelinetosh's Tosh Merino (the worsted weight, single ply version of Tosh Merino Light), which is 210 yards of hand dyed, worsted weight gorgeousness. Haven't used a worsted weight single before? Just like their fingering weight cousin, they take the dye beautifully and seem to glow with color. They also have wonderful stitch definition.

Here are just a few of the Hat Set's that will be available at our Kits & Clubs link tomorrow, Tuesday June 7.

What else is coming soon? I'll have some really nice sale yarn from Madelinetosh plus a free pattern with purchases. I can't wait to celebrate all summer with you!

SSYC's 17th Anniversary Week - Two Days Left!

Thank you for all who have come out so far to visit the shop in the first three days of our 17th birthday party! It's made me so happy to see so many of you that I haven't seen for a few years (or weeks in some cases- ha!). 

Except for a short bit of a line during one lunch time, we have been busy, but not at all overwhelmed. Maybe one or two people in line at once, which is great. Having our party over five days has allowed us to spread everyone out and even treat you to more goodies and deals. For the rest of the week, here's what's going on in person:

Friday 6/3 10am-2pm - 17% off three imports from three different countries - Cosy Posy of Canada, Olann Mills of Ireland and Qing of London

Saturday 6/4 10am-4pm - Cookies from the Cookie Cottage & free stitch markers.

Do come see us at 1315 E State Blvd, Fort Wayne, IN this week. And if you can't make it for the celebration, check out our hours for the rest of the year.

A couple days ago our 17th Birthday Sock Yarn Club subscriptions went live. And sold out within 48 hours. This is a first for us. Typically, I have enough spaces to last 10-14 days to sign up. But this was such a great deal that it quickly sold out and is our highest enrollment ever in a club. If you missed out, please do check the link here and there throughout the next week because things do happen that make a space open up- someone orders twice and didn't intend to, a charge is declined, etc. Two opened up yesterday and were quickly grabbed. So do check if you missed out. We have other amazing things planned all summer long to continue the 17th birthday celebration, and I can't wait to share those, starting next week.

In other news, we have our first intern and she's been observing the busy week, helping us put together color combos for some very special hat sets that we hope to start offering next week, and working on this Holiday Countdown project, below. More details to come!

SSYC's 17th Birthday Sock Yarn Club

(Me, posed this week in the shop full of balloons and yarn for our week long birthday celebration. Hi!!!)

FYI, the club spaces sold out. But it's definitely worth checking the link below for the next week as we post spaces that others have abandoned or cards are declined, etc. Everyone was very honorable in making this fair for everyone- no one ordered the limit of three clubs, therefore allowing others to participate. Thanks!!

It's time to announce our next club! It's the 17th Birthday, EPIC $100 Sock Yarn Club! This is the 28th subscription club that've we've done and I'm super pleased to see enrollment go up over the years. Over the past 15-ish years of doing clubs, we've seen enrollment triple or quadruple what it once was, which shows me that we're doing something right. We like to change it up, sometimes doing sock sets (with a skein and a mini), sometimes mini Knit Kits with bags and goodies each month, and the one that just ended was all Hat Sets (thicker yarn and pom pom for hats) and that go so much positive feedback that we'll be doing something similar in the fall/winter again this year. THIS club is super special because we've rolled back time to 2005 when we opened and are basically offering you the club for the prices you would expect 17 years ago. For just $100 total, you're getting a three month subscription of TWO skeins of our Small Batch Sock a month for three months. That's six skeins total of lovely, surprise sock yarn. 440 yards/100 each skein x 2 a month.

How do you enroll? Just go here and sign up! You pay today save your place and you'll get a package in the middle of July, August in Sept. Each package will include two full sized skeins of variegated or speckled sock yarn (no solids or tonals). Your $100 also includes your shipping, and you also get a monthly e-mail with pattern suggestions and club exclusive coupon codes.

If you're saving your spot today, please do not add other items on. You can add up to three clubs to one cart (it's a great deal and you might want extras), but please don't add other items to the same order, as you'll get an e-mail from me saying something like "Thanks, but I just refunded your other items so we could enroll you in the club. Please go back and order these items separately."

Have questions? Just e-mail me, Allison, as usual at service@simplysockyarn.com. I'll try and get back to you fast as always, but we are also celebrating our 17th birthday in person all week and so it's busier here than usual. And for those that came to see us yesterday, it was so awesome to see all your faces. People we haven't seen for two years, knitters from all over the country who stopped in on their travels again, even someone with impeccable taste in Malabrigo who was traveling from Scotland. Thank you for coming in and making our day!

And for those that are considering coming in but aren't a fan of crowds, we really aren't a crowded shop. We have a huge 3000+square foot space, we are open for 5 days of "party" instead of packing it into one day (so there might be 7-10 people in the shop at once), we have masks at the front of the shop if you'd like to wear one (and I'll put one on too if you ask, no worries), and we would just LOVE to see you. Here's the details of what treats/deals you can expect each day if you're shopping in person. We'll be treating our online shoppers all summer long as usual! SO MANY cool things planned.