Simply Socks Yarn Co. Blog

Ask the Knitters

Dear Knitters,

As fall approaches, I am compelled (that's putting it mildly, more like anxious) to get my holiday knitting in order. I would like to have on hand several extra gifts so I don't come up empty handed when I want to (last minute) give a hand made gift to a loved one.

Can you suggest projects that you like that are great to keep on hand for holiday gifts? I have looked at hats on Ravelry that use Rasta, but I'd really like to know what your go-to projects are.

Thanks a lot!

Corbin in CO

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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 [email protected] . Your question could be chosen for this series.

Whew. Time to exhale?

Nope. No time for that. You've kept us super busy all week with our biggest sale ever, and it doesn't seem to be slowing much! And Saturday we are open for our once-a-week open to the public day.

A BIG thank you from us and all the dyers we support - you've given us a very busy week. While we'd love to continue offering the 16+ dyers we're saying goodbye to, many are done making yarn, others have slowed to a trickle, and some we will be bringing back. So until they are gone, the ones listed here are 25% off when you use the coupon code ByeBye25. The code will continue to work until the yarns are gone. And yes, if you come into the shop on Saturday, these lines are 25% off in person too. At least what we have left.

What else is big this week? My boys went back to school! James (yes, this kid) has started high school. I don't think I've fully realized this yet. He's still my little dude.... but smells more and argues even more than that. Henry is in fourth grade. It's like I blinked and everyone grew up.

What's coming next week? My brain is a little fried, so I'm unsure! I can tell you that our dyers and makers are starting to send us all our goodies for our big Socktober event in a month and I can't wait to share some of those goodies. Knit Kits. Hocus Pocus themed sock sets. Adorable stitch markers and accessories. OH SO MUCH.

SSYC's Biggest Sale. Ever.

Sometimes you have to say bye bye to dyers and companies in your shop, and we think that everyone could use a great big deal, so we're putting them all on sale at once, and for 25% off!

Stitch Together Studios Midcoast Targhelling Twist (limited edition, hand spun look). Color is Microbatch No. 14

Yep, that's right - over a dozen hand dyed yarn lines are leaving SSYC and you can get a great deal on them by using the coupon code ByeBye25 at Check Out. Well, I actually recommend adding it to your cart well before Check Out (like once you put your first item in) so you don't forget. Some of the fast Check Out methods like ApplePay and Paypal can be so quick that you miss the coupon code field. If you miss it, just respond to your e-mailed receipt and ask for it to be applied.

Walk Collection's Cozy Merino Singles in Speckled Rainbow

What are the yarn lines that the code works on?

Artfil

Dragonfly Fibers

Hue Loco's Phyllis Sock & Opal Silk

Lang Jawoll

Lichen and Lace

Poste Yarn

sKNITches

Swift Yarn

Spun Right Round

Stitch Together Studios

Turtlepurl

Undercover Otter

Unique Sheep

Vrinda Yarn - Asana Sport

Walk Collection

Yarn Love- Marie Antoinette MCN Sparkle

Zen 

Undercover Otter Singles in Karma's A Beach

Yeah, thousands and thousands of skeins are leaving so we can make room for all sorts of new goodies this fall and winter! We have loved working with these people in the past 17 years we've been doing this. But most aren't producing anymore (and might later, who knows), and some are and we might bring back later. 

When I announced this sale last week, I got a lot of feedback from y'all about it. I mean, it is the most we've put on sale in 17 years. NO. We are not closing. Ha! Quite the opposite. We've grown so much in the past four years that I just haven't had time to do anything but keep things moving. Now I have time to really dial in what we are and what we do and make SSYC even more fabulous. 

Poste Yarn, Cashmere Striping Sock Set, Color is Ponts des Arts

It's really nice to see how much y'all appreciate this deal we're giving out. Here are just a few of the e-mails and comments we've gotten in the past two days:

"This is a wonderful opportunity, especially with rising prices. Thank you."

"Wow, these are some of my favorite yarns. Sorry they are done, but not sorry that I can snap them all up for less!"

"I needed this in my life. Thank you!"

"Just take my money!"

I can tell from the feedback I've gotten in just a couple days that we are going to be quite busy. And while we usually ship things out within 24 hours, please do allow us an extra day or so because there's only so much our small team can do in a day. Please also check your e-mails because if we are off on inventory you might get the e-mail from us asking if you want to sub something.

This coupon code will basically work until the yarn is gone. So you don't have to act fast because the cost is expiring or anything. But you do want to act fast because some of these things we might not have a lot of. Any item that you use the coupon code for is Final Sale and isn't eligible for return. Once you complete your order, it's all yours.

Last month at our big 17th birthday party

Thank you for your support for our 17 years! We greatly appreciate you, and I hope it shows!

This is what 16+ tons of yarn looks like! You can see it in person too.

End of Summer Sale

Next week SSYC is starting a BIG end of summer sale on several hand dyed lines! These include dyers that have shuttered their businesses, are taking breaks or just aren't able to produce much anymore. Some we might bring back later when we can (just one or two - and it could be by end of year, if all goes well) but most are going to bye bye for good! So we'll be offering a coupon code for 25% off the following lines starting on Monday:

Artfil

Dragonfly Fibers

Lang Jawoll

Lichen and Lace

Poste Yarn

sKNITches

Swift Yarn

Spun Right Round

Stitch Together Studios

Turtlepurl

Undercover Otter

Unique Sheep

Vrinda Yarn - Asana Sport

Walk Collection

Yarn Love- Marie Antoinette MCN Sparkle

Zen 

Again, most of these will not come back to SSYC so if you want some, Monday is a great time to snag them. These are super yarns, and have been a wonderful part of our shop, but it's time to let them go and make room for others. In the past when a dyer stops making, we put that one line up and it sells out fast, but this time we've decided to put them all up for sale in one big batch. We expect to be quite busy, so please do allow us a day or two to ship your order, rather than the same day shipping we often provide.

If there's something you'd like at the above links, I recommend filling your cart over the weekend and then pouncing on Monday when the coupon code is revealed here on the blog and in our e-newsletter. There isn't a firm timeline to the coupon code - it will remain active as long as we have stock to sell. But once the yarn is gone (and we have just one of some items/colors) it's no more. All items purchased with the coupon code are Final Sale and not eligible for our return policy, and the coupon code is not retroactive, so please don't purchase it early and the ask for the code to be applied, because it won't work.

We don't offer coupon codes on our yarns very often and this is likely the widest array of yarn we've ever offered a discount on. I hope you enjoy this opportunity to try something new, fill out your stash with colors or fibers that you don't have on hand, or purchase a gift for a friend.

Flamingle Shawl + Coupon Code

Last week I linked to the Flamingle Shawl and several of you bought Hella Hanks and Marvelous Mohair to make your own. I have to admit that this shawl is on the top of my to-knit list too, as I think it's a great way to combine two different yarns, and I think the mohair in it would really dress up my personal shawl rotation.

Photo courtesy of Cally Monster

If you were intrigued by this too, here are a few color ideas that I like.

Cosmos w/ Securrrity or Don't Call Me Peaches (for more contrast)

Mermaid Tavern or speckly Endeavor w/ Navy Blazer

Zuni w/ Ice Ice Baby or Wink (for more contrast)

Sweet Magnolia w/ Glamping or On the Rocks or Cherry Merlot (for more contrast)

A holiday shawl with Stiletto and Christmas Sprinkles

The same color ideas would also work well for Sunshine State of Mind, also by Cally Monster, but a completely different shape and look. The pattern calls for Super Silky, but we don't carry that so I would instead use Hella Hanks because it has a bit of cashmere and has a really nice drape and texture.

Photo courtesy of Cally Monster

Want a discount on your patterns? Cally is offering you 25% off these two patterns on Ravelry by using the coupon code SSYC by August 26. Want a chance (or three) to win these patterns? Check Insta and Facebook b/c I'm giving three lucky commenters there will get a code for both patterns. You can enter once each on Insta and FB if you want to double your chances. 

Like some of these but want to put your own twist on it? You could sub two skeins of Emma's Practically Perfect Sock for the Hella Hanks. We have many more colors of that right now. And if you aren't sure if your choices look great together in person, please feel free to e-mail me, Allison, as usual at [email protected]

Tweed or No Tweed

Let's make it a week of contests! Go to Insta or FB each day this week for a chance to win in our game Tweed or No Tweed. Just tell us each day if you prefer that day's color in tweed or no tweed, and you could be randomly chosen to win the $10 gift certificate for that day.

If you enter on both Insta and FB, you have double the chance to win! This week we're featuring colors from Hue Loco on the Tweed Sock and Merino Sock, like Happy Little Bluebirds Fly shown here. Which I think would look particularly nice in the Christelle Sock pattern. Do join us!

Free Sock Project Bag w/ Purchase This Week!

We're nearing the end of SSYC's summer long 17th Birthday Celebration, and this week we are sending out free gifts with purchase, and I have to admit that this one is super duper cute. It's a sock project bag that reads "Today's good mood is sponsored by yarn" and it's in a bright, sunny yellow that just makes me smile. I hope that using yours makes you smile too!

What do you have to purchase to get your gift? Just place your online order and when it ships this week (or when we put it out in the Contactless Pickup box) your parcel will include the above bag. You don't have to add it to your cart or request it in any way - if you order Monday through Friday (and thru Sunday if we still have any left) we will put it inside your parcel before it leaves here. One per person this week.

What might you like to treat yourself to today? I have ALL SORTS of ideas to bring you joy. First on my list is our 12 Days of Stitch Marker Countdown Set. Instead of a yarn advent, this year we are doing 12 days of hand made, polymer clay stitch markers. And according to those of you who already received yours (they went live on July 25 for Christmas in July), you think they are super awesome. One of you ordered one set, then left this kind note when ordering TWO MORE sets "These stitch markers are incredible. Thanks so much for all the work getting them to us!" I don't blame you. I have two sets for myself. If you want a close up of how the Countdown is packaged, take a look at this video. And if you haven't seen the markers that our artisan makes for us for our various kits and clubs, then feel free to e-mail me, Allison, at [email protected] and I'll share with you a picture of one of the stitch markers from the Countdown Set so you can see what kind of hand made quality you can expect. These are only available through this week, and then we'll put more together for November/December.

We have our second and last batch of our 17th Anniversary Hat Sets! We have a dozen options in our Kits & Clubs section right now. These are full sized skeins of worsted weight Madelinetosh Merino with a wonderfully coordinating, hand made pom pom (faux fur). All you have to do is wind your yarn (or ask us to in the notes section on the Check Out page) and cast on and attach your pom and you have a beautiful hat! You don't have to search for a perfectly matching pom, wondering if it looks as good in person and it might online because we have already done all the color work for you and put the yarn and pom together! And as a birthday treat, these are $10 less than the normal ones we offer in the fall and winter. Need a pattern? I like using this pattern with my worsted weight hats.

We have a slew of new yarn from Emma's Yarn! This sister-run company dyes beautiful skeins with fun names in Winter Park, Florida. We've carried their Practically Perfect Sock and Hella Hanks (50% more yarn and a bit of cashmere) for awhile, and now I've added Marvelous Mohair and Smalls (mini skeins) and I've been eyeing the Flamingle shawl now that we have both the Mohair and the Hella Hanks. Have a pattern in mind and not sure if you colors go perfectly together? Just e-mail me, Allison, at [email protected] and let us look in person so we can assure you. Need a fun pattern idea? Try the Ice Cream Social Shawl. It uses a full sized skein of Sock and 6 colors of minis and is a great way to experiment with color. Want a garment? How about the Collins Tee?

Last week I shared the very first of Malabrigo's new sock yarn, Ultimate Sock (shown below in color 005-Aniversario). It sold fast and I already have a full restock for you. This sock yarn is like their original Sock in feel, ply and cost but it has a bit of nylon in it now. Yes, Malabrigo will still make the original Sock, which is 100% superwash merino (no nylon). But Ultimate Sock is perfect for those who must have a bit of nylon in their socks. Some of us have been waiting a decade for this one, and I have to say it delivers on all I wanted in a Malabrigo sock yarn.

We have more Dream in Color than ever before! 100+ colors of Smooshy Sock Yarn and Smooshy with Cashmere. PLUS they are sending us special little 10-packs of minis every month (starting with this month), and this first one is super cute.

Been waiting on our exclusive yarn from Dream in Color, Colossal Sock? This skein is 50% more than a traditional fingering weight skein, weighing in at 6 ounces! It's available only at SSYC and we even offer it for 45% off in our Sale Section (right at the top, alphabetically as DIC Colossal)! That means that instead of the $40+ range, you're paying just $24 for a skein. This yarn is great for all sorts of fingering weight projects. It's on the heavier side of fingering weight, is a bit "toothy" or "rustic" in that it's not like some of the really smooth bases that some dyers use, and it takes the dye so beautifully. We haven't had this in the shop for 7+ months, so I know many of you have been waiting (and already pounced in the first hour I had this up). Go to the Sale Section to see all we have. We also have some great deals from Gusto Wool, Madelinetosh (like Euro Sock in Escape Pod shown below) and more.

Love Tweed? I have some stunning hues from Hue Loco in Tweed or No Tweed. And we'll be playing our Instagram & FB game, Tweed or No Tweed next week (you tell me which you prefer and that enters you to win a $10 gift certificate to the shop each day we play) - this is just a preview showing the color Happy Little Bluebirds Fly.

Want the limited edition Human Kindness colorway from Madelinetosh? This color on Tosh Merino Light costs just $20 instead of $29. Tosh is hoping you take that $9 savings and pay it forward to an organization that matters to you. It would make a stunning Pavement sweater, right? Or perhaps a Reyna shawlette.

I think I'll leave it at that for now! I may add more ideas to this post later this week when I have time. But as you can see, we have A LOT of yarn you can take a look at. And if you have questions, just email me, Allison, at [email protected]

Thank you for allowing us to serve you for 17 years! I often marvel at how online shopping has changed in nearly two decades - how when we opened, there weren't many places to shop for yarn online and the pictures were 8% the size they are now. And how we opened in a bedroom and now occupy a 1940's post office that seems to be made for us - all because of your support, patronage and guidance. Come see it in person one one of our open days if you can! Fort Wayne, Indiana is definitely worth the drive!

Free Birthday Gift w/ Purchase!

We're in the last month of SSYC's 17th Birthday Celebration and we still have some great gifts, sales and goodies for you! We've already done limited edition hat sets, special edition colorways, sales and even a 17th Birthday Sock Yarn Club. Next week we are giving away these cute project bags with your purchases!

What do you have to do to get one of these sock project bags that say "This good mood is sponsored by YARN"? Just place your online order as usual any time Monday through Friday (and we'll give them away through the weekend too if we have enough left) and we'll tuck one in your parcel before it leaves here. You don't have to add it to your cart or request it in any way - we will automatically include one in each package (one per person this week - so if you place several orders in the week, it's unlikely that we will give more than one unless we get to the end of the week and have lots left). And if you are a local and want to do Contactless Pickup, just choose that at Check Out - and don't forget to tell us in the note/comment field on the check out page what day you want it out in the box from 11am-1pm. 

You have a few more days to order our 12 Days of Stitch Marker advent! This is available through this week, then we will make up more of them for you for this Christmas as well. You get 12 different hand made, polymer clay stitch markers, each put in a little envelope on a garland that you can open all at once now (like I think most of you have done already from the great e-mails I have gotten!) or you can open them for 12 days until Christmas. Whatever you choose, these are beautiful little works of art, each marker with a holiday theme. It's a super deal. Want more details? Take a look at this video I posted to Insta.

What might you like to order to get your gift? We have SO much new yarn! I'll blog more on Monday about all the greatness we have in store, but if you scroll through the past posts here on the blog for the week, you'll see what's new. Like all the Emma's Yarn (MOHAIR too!), Dream in Color, Katrinkles accessories, the limited edition color from Madelinetosh, new Malabrigo Ultimate Sock.....  gosh, SO MUCH new yarn this week! And by Monday I should have even more up for you like more birthday Hat Sets, mini skeins from Emma's Yarn and the Colossal Sock from Dream in Color in our Sale Section that we haven't been able to get from the mill for 7 months! For those of you who have been waiting for this, the Sale Section is alphabetical so it will be right at the top. But likely not til Sunday or Monday.

Hedgehog Fibres x Madelinetosh Tweedy DK Collab

I've not been allowed to share this until today..... Madelinetosh and Hedgehog Fibres have collaborated on a very special yarn and it's now here at SSYC!

Tweedy DK is Hedgehog Fibres' limited production offering where they collect the colorful bits of their own yarn waste (ties and leftover bits) over months of time and then send them to the mill to be carded, blended and spun into yarn again. This yarn is usually only available sporadically in Natural and Noir, but they have been working with Madelinetosh to save the Tosh bits of yarn and have them milled into two very special colorways where the tweedy bits are all Madelinetosh blended into Hedgehog Fibre skeins.

The Hedgehog Fibres x Madelinetosh version of Tweedy comes in two colors, Dreaming in Light (a light, harvest color) and Future Reflections (a soft gray blue).

Madelinetosh owner, Laura, says this about the partnership “With this yarn we have created a revolutionary new model for upcycling and collaboration,” said Laura Zander, CEO of Madelinetosh. “Sustainability is a growing priority in the knitting and fashion worlds and by incorporating bright Madelinetosh flecks into this product, we were able to recycle yarn remainders while also prioritizing collaboration over competition. Now more than ever, it’s time for women-led companies to come together, disrupt old norms, and bring something beautiful into the world."

Beata, owner of Hedgehog Fibres, expounded on this idea, telling us “Coming up with Tweedy was a way to use great yarn that would have otherwise have been wasted. Madelinetosh’s hand-dyed remnants were super fun to work with. We teamed up to make two colors that are every bit Hedgehog Tweedy with Madelinetosh’s color sensibilities. We love how they turned out! The greeny yellow is my fave, because it’s unique, unusual, and weird in a very cool way.”

I agree with Beata. While I think the blue gray is going to be the popular choice to use, there's something about the almost neutral and still not quite gold color of Dreaming in Light that made me design this little bit of a hat that I combined with Tosh DK in Neon Pink and Natural to make this striped hat.

Want the pattern? Here it is!

Download SusHat

I have all the colors I used in my Sus Hat in stock right now, but not the pom. If you want the pom, I'll have them in stock in a few weeks. But I don't recommend waiting for the yarn because what I have now is all I'll get. They even come with a little PDF pattern booklet that I can e-mail you after purchase if you want. Small projects like shawls and hats and things that shop owners, like me, who are offering the yarn came up with to promote it. Just respond to your e-mailed receipt and ask me for it.

If you want other color ideas for the hat feel free to e-mail me and ask. Right now I have all four colors of Tweedy DK in stock, and over 300 colors of Madelinetosh Tosh DK, so we could definitely help you come up with a great combo. Like Future Reflections + Grasshopper + Farmhouse White. Or Noir + Button Jar Blue + Death by Elocution.