Simply Socks Yarn Co. Blog

A Perfectly Fall Weekend

A few months ago, I had plans to attend Rhinebeck this past weekend for NY Sheep and Wool. But when it came closer I just didn't feel like traveling that far and dealing with crowds. It's been a busy fall and just felt like one more thing to add that I didn't need to. Instead, I had my own perfectly wonderful fall weekend with hiking, visiting friends and family, knitting, and decorating for Halloween.

Not only did we take a short road trip to spend time with family, we also got to see college friends and go hiking. If you're close to Bloomington, Indiana, I highly recommend a nice hour-long hike at Leonard Springs Nature Park. A beautiful hike accented by caves and little waterfalls and a perfectly gorgeous walk overall.

We decorated for Halloween, which also included trying to untangle the webs that our five-foot spiders live on. We did not succeed. Note to non knitters who pack up the web at the end of the season - take direction from the knitter in your life and store your string properly. LOL!

I also cast on and finished a new project that I'm calling my Sunday Scarf because it's easily finished on a Sunday. A simple scarf using two skeins of Malabrigo Caracol, a super bulky weight yarn that feels wonderful and knits up super quick. I chose two skeins of Caracol color 249-Talisman, cast on 19 stitches with a 24" US 15 needle and did the Cartridge Belt Rib the entire way. What's the Cartridge Belt Rib? It's just a two row repeat. Row 1: K3, *sl1 wyif, k3; rep from * to end. Row 2: K1, *sl1 wyif, k3; rep from * to last 2 sts, sl1 wyif, k1. And continue for as long as you want your scarf. I had about 20% of one skein left, and I'm planning on using that for a thick stripe on a coordinating hat.

Tuesday (tomorrow) marks our 4th week of Socktober goodies and we'll have a bunch of beautiful sale yarns. Dream in Color's Colossal Sock will be back, as will a special silk blend sock yarn from Austria. We'll also have new Opal Yarn collections, and three new collections from Laines du Nord. One of them is live now, shown below in color 201. Each ball has enough yarn for two matching socks.

Quick Holiday Gift Idea - Saratoga Beanie

Need to get a last minute project done? Rasta is definitely the way to go, as this Malabrigo yarn is super bulky and comes in dozens of Malabrigo's beautiful hues. Heather, our shop manager, recently pointed us in the direction of the Saratoga Beanie and we all agree it's fab.

You just need one skein of Rasta and you could get this done in an evening. 

The stitch pattern of the hat seems to make the most of the wildly variegated hues of Rasta too, which is a bonus. And, come on, look at the top of this hat. I'd be sitting down all day just so people can see the top of it! I think I'd like it a lot in Trompo, shown below.

Want other Rasta pattern options? Aspen Leaf Knits has a slew of other cute patterns that use Rasta too.

 

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].

Stitch Together Studios - Color Burst Collection

Stitch Together Studios has released a Color Burst Collection, which is a collection of nine different colors where each one is predominantly one color with a burst of something distinctive. These skeins are great for socks, as you can see in the above samples, but really are collected and knit for "planned pooling" patterns - knit patterns that take advantage of those burst of color as part of the design.

Birthday Cake, Blue Goo, Blue Raspberry, Cherry Ripple, Chocolate Swirl, Cotton Candy, Galaxy, Glampfire, Half Baked

These nine colors all dyed on Smooth Sock look great at socks, but Kayanna (rad colorista of Stitch Together Studios) had particular patterns in mind when she dreamt up these colorways. Like Float, Calico, and Roam by Dawn Barker. Float picture below courtesy of Dawn Barker.

And Turn it to the Max by Joanne Bint. Picture below courtesy of Joanne Bint.

Do you have other fave patterns that use the planned pooling technique? Or ones that you have queued up just waiting for the right yarn?

If you'd like to grab the colors while I have them, they are currently all listed at the New link on the website (for today but they will be bumped off as I add more items), and the 9 color names are: Birthday Cake, Blue Goo, Blue Raspberry, Cherry Ripple, Chocolate Swirl, Cotton Candy, Galaxy, Glampfire, Half Baked and can be found here while I have them.

I also have more from Wonderland Yarn coming soon in their Color Burst Collection and I'll share when those are up too. I've had those colors for several years and those have been quite popular for these types of patterns.

Tweed or No Tweed

I'm playing a bit of a game on Instagram and Facebook this week called Tweed or No Tweed! Each day, I'm sharing a color we just got in from Irish dye studio Life in the Long Grass in DK Twist and DK Tweed (so a DK weight merino without the tweed and then the only difference is the Tweed is that it has tweed nubs). And you get to tell me what you like best, the colorway with tweed or no tweed. Want to start off playing here on the blog? This is Thorn. It reminds me of Sugar Maple trees in the fall - not the early fall when things are bright, but later when the trees get more burnished looking and the red leaves start to dry out a bit and get brown on the edges. Just like that.

The prize is each day I randomly choose one commenter to win a $10 gift certificate to the shop. I'll choose between Facebook and Insta (one winner over all platforms) and tag the winner. The post has been on Insta and FB just over and hour now and already 100+ have given their opinion. Go join!

I thought this would be a fun way to introduce the new DK Tweed that LITLG sent us. Along with the Zebra Sock that has already sold out in lots of colors, it's a new base to us. As I tend to do, I made several color combos when I was photographing this new batch. What do you think of these? I think they would all be particularly nice in the I Left My Heart at LYS, which just happens to be 20% off until May 15.

DK Tweed in Sugar Plum with DK Twist in Moonbow

Icicle in DK Twist with Rosehip in DK Tweed

Oyster in DK Tweed with Cockleshell in DK Twist

Gorse in DK Tweed with Rose Gold in DK Twist

We have most of these colors in both Tweed and no tweed DK, and in Sock. Also lots of them in Silk Merino, which is the nicest 50% silk, 50% merino you can imagine- it's what people really gravitate to when shopping in person. I'm still waiting on one of our six boxes to make it through Customs, so if there was a color you wanted, just e-mail me at [email protected] and ask. 

Tweedy DK and My Gloam

My friend Chevas knit up an awesome shop sample that I’ve been wearing around. I adore it. It goes with jeans, dresses, whatever. It's Gloam knit in Tweedy DK Noir from Hedgehog Fibres.


I highly recommend this yarn. It’s fun, it has bits of lots of other yarns plied into it to use up bits that Hedgehog Fibres doesn’t want to waste, and it goes with so much. Grab a few for accessories or your own sweater while we have it, as this is rare stuff.

Other patterns to try: Winter's Beach Cardi, Sawyer, and any awesome hat.

More Sock options from Madelinetosh

I had such a wonderful time photographing our new restock of Twist Light sock yarn that I just had to share. Last week was a tough one here in the US, not only because we had an election that so many of us had so many hopes pinned on, but it also took so long to give us an answer. Then the COVID numbers are just rising and rising, the hospitals in our area are nearly at max (I keep hearing talk from medical professionals I know about how stressed the system is and will become worse), and although the weather here in Indiana was downright gorgeous this week (in the 70's and blue skies in November?!) it's a reminder that our lives will soon be indoors. Which is going to be a huge change for my family and many others and we've basically moved our entire lives outside as much as possible for seven months to battle the COVID blues.

GAH. I'm being Debby Downer. I guess my point is that I really, REALLY loved seeing all these gorgeous hues from Tosh. There's something theraputic about getting out of your head for 30 seconds and focusing on capturing color. Just like there's something special about looking at a brightly colored sock develop. Having control over that little piece of work, while also allowing the colors to play out in a way that might have been unexpected. Seeing that one pink stitch in a sea of Accra Evening (shown above) in a sea of blues.

If you want to enjoy a bit of color therapy, here are a few suggestions for a heck of a sock. It's Lit (one of Tosh's holiday colors) above or Mansfield Garden Party. Maybe someone with an all over light pattern like Life's a Peach?

Campfire Socks, Anastasia Socks, or Leyburn Socks in Cotton Candy Daydreams or TexasBama both above, or Spectrum or Pixel below. Sidenote- I knit Texasbama into a Sockhead cowl a couple years ago and watching those crazy colors develop was like a little yarny adventure.

Or how about an Easy Goes It shawl in Mermaids Unite or Popoki.

And then I'm thinking about a simple colorway like Sky Wash. How if knit into a sweater it would look like weathered wood. Something simple like Pavement.

While we're on the sweater topic, I also like the idea of combining two colors of Twist Light into a Confetti  or Breathing Space. Of course, you could use Tosh Sock if you don't want the nylon, but I think both yarns would be lovely in a sweater and since it's hard to even get the exact Tosh you want right now, and if you find the colors you like in one base and not the other, then go for it. What about something bold like Soft Carmine with Resistance.

Not sure about something as large as asweater? What about a two-color shawl like Spring Tease  or Glass Houses?

Thanks for indulging my fall down the rabbit hole. It's much needed. Why not use color to elevate your mood too?

Free pattern w/ Dream in Color purchase!

Dream in Color is offering SSYC knitters an awesome pattern this month- the Victorious Shawl! Isn't this a great way to combine three colors?

If you purchase three skeins of Dream in Color Smooshy or Smooshy with Cashmere, I'll e-mail you a Ravelry coupon code to get this pattern for free. Just order your three skeins online before November 20, and respond to your e-mailed receipt and ask me for the pattern code. I'll e-mail it back asap. The code expires at the end of November, so even if you forget to ask for it for a week or so, you can still ask and redeem yours. If you're not on Ravelry, I can e-mail you a pdf instead.

Above photos used with permission of Dream in Color

Here are a few color combos that we like with this yarn. Of course, you might love this pattern and already have yarn in your stash to knit it and that's awesome. Just go here to purchase your pattern if you don't want to order three skeins of Dream in Color. It's a great one to have on hand either way.

On Smooshy with Cashmere above Whetstone + Do Re Me + Time Machine. Below is Petrified Forest + Cottonwick + Federal Bank

Above is Smooshy with Cashmere in Her Beacon Hand + Indigo + Unimaginable. Below is Indigo + Naked Shame + Whisper

Above on Smooshy (superwash merino/nylon) Kyoto Sunset + Tiny Blue + Galaxy. Below is Surf + Guthrie Peak + Blue Fish

On Smooshy above Navy Zeal + Uptown Electric + Melon Bomb. Below on Pickle Ball + Fable + Indigo

Which combo is your fave? I'm not sure I can pin down just one. But I bought a new coat online at Target yesterday, and it's nice and long and a lovely light camel color - it looks much nicer on me than in the model shots (which is a rare thing to say, right?) - I think it needs someone with a bit of shape to make it not look like a bathrobe. I'm thinking I need to give it a punch of color with perhaps the Surf+Guthrie Peak+Blue Fish combo. But that's so in my wheelhouse already. I've long loved the color Angelica. So maybe Angelica+Time Machine+ Lavender Bloom? Or maybe Tucson+True to Life+Do Re Me? Gah. I've fallen down the color combo rabbit hole! If you want to join me down here and want to know if you're preffered color combo works, just e-mail me at [email protected] as usual! It's nice down here at the bottom.... cozy and warm with color and wool.

Stephen West's Painting Bricks Sweater

I have received several e-mails this week requesting color help for Stephen West's newest pattern, the Painting Bricks Sweater, so I thought I'd share some of the color combos I like from what we have here at the shop. Maybe you will like one of these as well, or maybe you will like where one is headed and send me an e-mail saying what you do and don't want, and we'll have a jumping off point for the combo that will speak to you.

Picture used with test-knitter-Susie's permission. Visit her pattern page for details- she did just the yoke in the brick, which is awesome, right?

If you do want help, or just someone with eyes on the yarn who can say "Yes! This is a perfect combo." or "No, that one color clashes or doesn't do anything for it so let's sub this." then please do e-mail me, Allison, at [email protected]. Now, if you see the color combo you like is limited on quantity, I wouldn't wait to hear back from me to buy it b/c some yarns are hard to get right now and it could sell out before we can get in-person opinions on it (what with social distancing here at work, things like that take a few days instead of one). So if you really like one of these combos or something else, don't wait on me to get it.

Please know that the photos of the yarn shown below are ones that I simply snapped with my phone to give you an idea of how they look together. They are not color corrected and calibrated like the ones on our website. So the ones on our website are a better gauge of how the colors actually look.

How about bold and bright with Malabrigo Rios colors Pearl Ten, Purple Mystery, Sunset, Fucsia, Glazed Carrot, Apple Green, Ravelry Red, Azul Profundo.

Want a sea breezy, watercolor feel? Malabrigo Rios in colors Ivory, Aquamarine, Almond Blossom, Valentina, Cucumber, Melon, Pearl and Cosmos.

Want a more earthy feel? Something that you can wear all weekend? Malabrigo Rios in colors Sand Bank, Cirrus Gray, Camel, Gris, Plomo, Neibla, Yerba and Fog.

Vrinda Yarn makes some stunning autumnal hues. Shown here are Natural, Moose on the Loose, Sol, Off the Beaten Path, Patagonia and de Clermont.

Love Tosh? Who doesn't?! These romantic hues are all on Tosh DK and you could easily sub out colors here and there b/c we have close to 200 colors to choose from right now. Shown below are Flashdance, Lepidoptra, Dissertation, Grapefruit, Barbara Deserves Better, Hi/Lo and Pink Clay.

Want a super POP of color? How about some Hedgehog Fibres Merino DK? Shown here are Melon, Rusty Nail, Seed, Egg Yolk, Spell, Electric, Jelly and Envy.

Cascade 220 Superwash is a great option for this sweater if you don't want to spend the price of hand dyed yarn, and you want it to wash and wear well... plus I have like ALL the colors. Shown here are 910a, 901, 902, 1940, 1915, 840, 826, and 821.

Picture used with test-knitter-Ines's permission. Visit her pattern page for details of her awesome sweater. We have so many colors of Cascade 220 Superwash that you could do a tonal version of this sweater in blues, greens, sherbets.... you name it!

Color ideas for Joji's Age of Gold shawl

Photo used with permission of Joji Locatelli

In the mood to knit up Joji's latest pattern, Age of Gold? I am too, so of course there are several color combos I'm considering.

Shadow and Pansy from Life in the Long Grass on sock above, Amethyst and Fortune below are great too. Ooooh, and Wolf and Gorse. Afterglow and Tanned on Singles.

Want silk? How about Life in the Long Grass Lughnasa with Harvest on the edge or Baroque on the Edge. For a simliarly autumnal vibe (like the pattern pic) you could go with Dragon Seed with Emerald Eve.

We just got in a huge amount of Hedgehog Fibres Sock Yarn.... like the first batch we've been able to get in about four to five months. I don't anticipate being able to stock Hedgehog Fibres and other imports as well as we have been, due to the increased costs and restrictions of getting goods from other countries right now. It seems that other countries don't want to ship to us b/c of how poorly contained COVID is here (that what one of my courier contacts actually told me - yikes). So until that gets handled, I think businesses who import goods could be greatly affected.

So, of course, I had this pattern in mind when I was photographing colors yesterdat. There are many speckles to choose from for the bulk of the pattern, and you can tell which solids go nicely using our compare feature. Here are some of the combos that struck me. Above is Comeback with Jelly (also nice with Highlighter) for a totally 80's feel. Boombox could easily sub for Comeback too, if you like a bit of blue and green.

Want a more neutral base for your shawl? Something that can be worn with your denim or your khaki? How about Heron with Electric, shown above. Or you can sub out Ink for Electric if you want a darker lace edge. I also like the idea of a Plump edge.

If you want something closer to the colors of the shawl in the pattern, here are my gold/green ideas. Gorse and Andisol, Gorse and Indigo- Indigo is a deep blue instead of green but I think it looks great and reminiscent of the colors Joji chose. What about Bee Wax and Black Walnut? Or Daffodil and Black Walnut? Liquid Gold and Candlewick on Tosh Sock would be nice too with nearly any dark solid edge.

If you like a particular color for bulk of the shawl, but aren't sure if you're choosing a solid color for the edge that goes well, you're always welcome to e-mail me at [email protected] and ask. Most of you simply type in the note section on the Check Out page something like "I'm using ____ and ____ together. If you think they clash please let me know thx!" That way, we can better "personal shop" for you and pick skeins that we think complement each other the best. We're always happy to help "virtually", especially since we can't help you in person until this public health crisis is safer for all.

Breathe and Hope color ideas, Day 3

Saturday was supposed to be national LYS Day (Local Yarn Shop Day) and as Casapinka has done in the past she has designed an awesome shawl for us yarn shops to give away with the purchase of the two skeins of yarn for the shawl. So even though we can't celebrate LYS Day in person with you my friends, my shop and others are still able to offer it to you with your online orders. All you need to do is purchase the two skeins of yarn for the shawl now through Sunday, and I'll e-mail you the Ravelry coupon code after the pattern goes live this weekend. And if you already have a stash you want to use and don't need two skeins, no worries. She will sell the pattern to you on Ravelry starting next week. But this is the way to support a yarn shop like SSYC during this tough time and get the pattern for free. (After you get the code from me, dowload it asap b/c it does expire after the weekend).

What do you need to make this awesome shawl? It calls for two skeins of contrasting colors of fingering weight yarn, and a US 4 and 6 circular needle (at least 24"). You'll get the pattern coupon code and direct link e-mailed to you this weekend by me. The pattern doesn't even go live until Friday, April 24 and the coupon codes won't be activated and e-mailed to you until starting this weekend. So please be patient with getting yours, as this is supposed to be a weekend event, but Casapinka is allowing us all to start showing this off this week since most shops are currently only working weekdays (if at all). Please do not send her Ravelry messages or e-mails about wanting the pattern. The woman and her husband are doctors, for Pete's sake, and she posted that she had COVID19 weeks ago. Send her good vibes or go to her pattern store to show her support and buy a pattern or eight.

Let's delve into our third day of color. Please feel free to look at Day 1 and Day 2 for other color ideas. But please don't hesitate if you like something b/c some of these colors are going fast. We are happy to help you sub if you e-mail [email protected] for possible similar skeins.

We just got a new batch of Frugal Fingering from Stitch Together Studios. So of course as I was photographing it for the website I saw color combos that I really liked together for this shawl. This stuff always goes fast at the price of only $22 a skein though, so don't hesitate if you like something. And if you want more fab deals, I will have special skeins from Mineville Wool Project in the Sale Section next week too. Above is Lacewings with Crystal. Below is Beets Me with Potluck No. 105.

Also check out Frugal Fingering in Infatuation with Shrinking Violet.

Nicole and her Colorado studio of Hue Loco seem to specialize in springy, vivid hues. Above is Merino Sock in Funky Funky with Fuchsia. Below is Twitterpated with Blush on Phyllis Sock (both are merino/nylon and the same fingering weight, but one is two ply and one is three ply).

Take a look at Hue Loco Merino Sock in Peppermint Patty and Fuchsia above or Tweed Sock in Mint and Amber Canopy below. While you're in the Tweed section, also look at Cherry Blossom with Agate (not pictured). Or Fuchsia with Mouthy Goldfish (also not pictured).

More Hue Loco Merino Sock above in Wood Violets and Melisandre above and below in Daenerys and Juniper.

Above, some last Hue Loco in Hoarfrost and Cracked Pepper. Below is Dream in Color Smooshy with Cashmere in True to Life and Tucson. If you want singles, I have those also in Jilly Singles.

 

 Below is some Malabrigo Sock in Polar Morn with Zarzamora. This combo reminds me of African violets.

 

Finally, take a look at Miss Babs for unforgettable color. Shown here in Hot Shot Sock is Night Swim with Krill. I hope this gives you some idea or a jumping off point for a duo that you'd like to put together.

Some tips/advice:
- Don't search for the pattern link on Ravelry or expect your coupon code to work before 9pm on Friday (perhaps give Casapinka even more time). She isn't even activating the coupon codes until the weekend. Please also don't expect an e-mail from me with your code until Saturday, April 25 at the earliest. The codes do expire after the weekend, so download the pattern into your Ravelry Library fast. Please [email protected] to your Contacts so it doesn't go in your spam folder. Please don't expect the pattern code if you don't purchase two skeins. It doesn't have to be yarn I'm linking to of course, as you can choose your own two skeins to purchase. But Casapinka requires two skeins be sold for us to give it for free. You don't have to request the pattern of me, it will be sent automatically to those who purchase two skeins for their project.
- Don't be afraid to combine yarns from different dyers like I've shown here. Many of them use the same mills, so it could be you're using the same yarn anyway. Or just ask us via e-mail and we're happy to tell you if it works or doesn't work together.
- Be adventurous if you want, or be safe if you want in your color options. Knitting is what we need it to be. If you want to take a risk with your color choices, just do it! And if you want to play it safe and choose two colors that are your safe choices, do that. Just make sure they aren't too similar or the stitch pattern won't show up. We are happy to wind your yarn for you if you want. Just put that request in the note/comment section on our Check Out page.
- Know that we will help you however we can. We love being your personal shoppers/shippers and living vicariously through your ideas. Please don't call the shop, just e-mail me, Allison at [email protected]. That's how we can best serve you while spreading our time out and social distancing (our team of four) during this time.
- Please know though that your first or second choices could sell out fast, so if you really want something, just take the plunge and order it b/c if you wait hours or a day to hear back, that particular yarn could sell out. And if something you love sells out, it's likely that we have something similar. We have over 16 tons of yarn, after all.
- We are still shipping 6 days a week, so we will get your order out the door likely within a day and you'll get tracking via e-mail. You might get a tracking confirmation at 8pm or e-mail returned at 5am- it's just the nature of how we are doing things right now to social distance ourselves and be as safe as possible. - While we are fast on getting orders out the door, USPS is taking a lot of time right now delivering (perhaps temp staff or quarantining packages, I don't know) but packages are taking triple or quadruple the time and not often even being scanned during that time. I've seen no packages go missing at all (which is amazing) but don't be concerned if you see your package go toward you, and then be sent four states away, then show up with no warning 8 days later. It's odd, but it's happening a lot. But things are not going missing. Just well-traveled packages for us and all shipping right now.
- Please let me know how I can best serve you during this time and feel free to come back to the blog every day to see what we're up to. For 15 years, the blog has been a wonderful way for me to connect with others, and I'm happy to help you make the most of your down time during all this. Just e-mail me at [email protected].
- We will continue doing special giveaways of stitch markers, totes, contests and more to keep us all going during this tough time, and to start celebrating our 15th anniversary, so consider bookmarking us here on the blog and signing up for the e-newsletter at the bottom of our website if you want to get info on what's new and coming at the shop.

It's all about Green... let's make it a contest!

So far, I've done two other blog features on particular colors, yellow and brown, and I asked you what I should feature for March. I even set myself a phone reminder to do a green blog post in mid-March, and wouldn't you know I got distracted by a pandemic and completely missed doing green for March. So let's get to it!

I don't want to feature all greens, but instead I'm going to concentrate just on lime or citrus tinged greens. Mostly because I think that many of us automatically choose blue-tinged greens like emerald and teal and aqua, and I think that acidic greens could use some love, you know? The first one that comes to mind is Scorched Lime by Dream in Color. Veronica is a wizard with color. She also dyes more blue greens like Grow and Federal Bank if you prefer that.

Want a fade the features lime? What about Wonderland Yarn's Yellow-to-Lime in their 5-minis of Cheshire Cat? Or Botanica by Sweet Georgia in their Party of Five line.

Then there's Limelight and Lichen from Dragonfly Fibers. I have those on Djinni (with a bit of cashmere and nylon) or Dragon Sock (100% superwash merino). And I love Whale Line too, shown below.

Want a bit of speckle with your lime? How about Silence was Golden from Madelinetosh? Shown below on Tosh DK, I also have this for you on Pashmina, Tosh Sock, Twist Light and Tosh Merino Light. It's a stunner.

And if you prefer a tonal with no speckles what about Grasshopper or Maple Leaf, both shown on Tosh Sock but available on the other bases too.

Have you ever tried Flock Fibres? Her sock sets are super popular for the Coffee Talk Sock pattern, and maybe you'll like Kim's Pond Scum color available on Take a Hike sock, shown on Lone Pine Singles.

Spirulina from Manos del Uruguay is a definite fave. It's a super soft superwash merino and nylon blend and it comes a a really nice array of semi solids and variegated hues. Plus it's certified Fair Trade.

Vrinda Yarn is a newer line, introduced in 2019, and they have a cool Sour Grass

Add just a tad bit of glitz to your socks with a rare merino/cashmere/nylon sparkle blend. This Frog Prince color from Yarn Love is available in non-sparkle and non-cashmere as well. (Sparkle doesn't show very well in photos, but it's there in person.)

I hope I've shown you some yarns and colors that you might not have noticed before. Such a bold color can be used as an accent to colorwork sweaters, a stripe in a sock, some really cool toes and heels, or by itself in the perfect project. Perhaps give it a try for some Zigzagular Socks or these super cute Walnut Street socks.

Leave me a comment below which of these colors you like best and I'll randomly choose three people to win the Walnut Street sock pattern on Ravelry. You do have to have a Ravelry account for me to purchase/gift it to you. And you need to leave the comment by noon EST on Wednesday, April 8. And while you're on Ravelry, consider purchasing a pattern or two for yourself or gifting one to a friend. Someone gifted me one on my birthday once and it was an awesome surprise. And I'm betting some designers could really use some cash right about now.

The winners of last week's contest are Janell S and Martha. I've e-mailed both. Congrats and thank you for sharing!

*Just a reminder that I'm committed to blogging every day during this time (instead of the typical 2-3 times a week) to connect with others. Please do comment and share with me here if you like! You'll see the typical yarn updates and shop tidbits, but likely also a bit more family and personal stuff.

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!

Dotty Cowl by Malabrigo

SSYC has received our latest shipment from Malabrigo, bringing a complete restock of Rios (100% superwash merino worsted weight), Sock (100% superwash merino sock), Mechita (fingering weight singles) and Arroyo (100% superwash merino sport weight) again bringing you sweater quantities of all your faves, plus the newest colors available on Arroyo. I mean, look at these amazing micro speckles on Brujula and Big Sur. I want all the winter knits in these!

Malabrigo is definitely one of the faves around here, online and in person, as it's gorgeous, soft as can be, easy care and less expensive than most hand dyed yarns. Plus it's made by a women's cooperative in Uruguay, so you can feel good about your purchase and how it affects others.

If you have some skeins of Sock, or want to buy new ones and aren't sure what to make, what about this Dotty Cowl? It's a free pattern on Ravelry from Malabrigo and it's a really cool way to use two contrasting colors in crochet. The patterns shows Fortaleza and Sand Bank, but you could combine so many contrasting colors with good results.

Some other color combos I like are Zarzamora with Polar Morn

Or Sabaduria with Disfraz

Piedras and Frank Ochre

And if you want a heavier, more substantial cowl, you could go bigger and go with Arroyo Sport.

Want a comfy sweater idea? Malabrigo sent us this amazing gift of a sample to the shop last week. Of course, we all tried it on and thankfully Diana stopped in to shop over her lunch hour and allowed me to take some pics.

The sweater is Waverly by Sandi Prosser for Malabrigo. If you want to come in the shop sometime and try it on for yourself, please do! It's so squishy and soft in worsted weight Rios. The colors shown are Anniversario and Sand Bank. If you want other colors of Rios, we are happy to help you choose them. 

 

Tenderfoot Sock Yarn now in stock!

I've added a fab new sock yarn to the shop, Tenderfoot solids! I've seen a trend lately toward more rustic looking yarns with a bit more of a natural look, and this really fits the bill. The color line is beautiful, the skeins are slightly heathered and the price point is really the best part. At less than $15 a skein, you're getting a beautiful skein at a super value. Whether you're knitting socks or using this for accessories or sweaters, I think you'll be as pleased as I am with this new addition to the shop.

What do I mean when I refer to "rustic"? Well, it's certainly still soft and wearable next to the skin. But it doesn't have as smooth or slippery a texture as something like Hedgehog Fibres sock. It seems pretty durable too, which is something we all need in our lives with our sock yarns. I've heard it described as having "tooth". It's a bit more grabby on the needles, so I'll be using a slick metal needle instead of bamboo.

If you're someone who likes a bit of a more natural or rustic look, this one's for you. The heathered gives a really nice finished fabric, as you can see in the color below. And if you click on the image above and zoom in, I think you can tell what I mean about slightly heathered texture.

I don't think I can stress enough what a superb value Tenderfoot is. I've really been wanting to find a nice, slightly rustic feeling sock yarn with colors like this, and I'm really pleased with this find at this price. I'm considering taking home colors this weekend to knit socks with a coordinating stripe at the top and toes and heels. Though the person I'd be knitting for has size 14 feet and I just don't know if I have room in my life or brain for his socks right now. What's the largest size socks you've knit before?

Navelli Sweater photo courtesy of Caitlin Hunter, as well as every photo following

I think these colors would lend themselves well to a Navelli sweater or a Caitlin. Both by Caitlin Hunter.

Caitlin Sweater above, Cardamom Coffee hat below,  photos courtesy of Caitlin Hunter

Then you could use up leftover bits to make the awesome Cardamom Coffee hat, also by Caitlin. Well, it looks like I've fallen down the rabbit hole of her designs this morning, so let's keep it going!

Camp Wilkerson

How about a fingering weight version of Camp Wilkerson? I'd just go down a needle size or two from the pattern recommendation and then I'd have big ol' scarf for the winter. And I just bought the pattern and added it to my queue for exactly this. 

I think Zweig is her most popular pattern, and it would definitely look nice in Tenderfoot. Birkin seems quite nice too.

I'm going to pull myself out of the Boyland Knitworks rabbit hole now and get back to my regular day. But you should make yourself a hot cup of coffee and continue the journey where I left off. Do tell me in the comments if you're now planning a new knit!

Edited to add- I just wound my four skeins (details later here on the blog and Instagram) and it wound like a dream. No tangles or issues at all.

Joji's Fading Point- Project Color Ideas

We've been putting together a lot of fade combos over the past year. There's something about fading one color into another that really speaks to our crafty community and it's been a pleasure to work with you in person and via e-mail to combine single skeins into stunning combos. Lately, you've been asking for help putting together five color Fading Point collections, so I thought I would share a handful of those ideas here!

First, three combos from Primrose Yarn Co. This first one uses Adelaide Singles in Tipsy Eggnog, Rainbow Fist Fight, Fun House, Space Suit and Old Tailored Suit

This one also uses Adelaide, but for a completely different look we used Dior, Mr Cranky Pants, Copper Penny Dreadful, Skateboards and Snowcones and Mercury in Retrograde

You can also use Primrose's Ultimate Sock and this combo uses Heart Shaped Box, Potluck #4, Mad Elf, Nasty Unicorn and Dark Caster

Now, please do keep in mind that hand dyers like Primrose, Hedgehog and Life in the Long Grass (all featured here) dye certain colors at certain times of year, or a particular hand dyed color can look different from one batch to the next. So if you really like one of these combos, please don't hesitate because it might not be available long or might look different in a few months - and we do change our photos when things look different. And if there's a skein here you don't particularly like, we are always happy to help you find something more to your liking. Just e-mail us at [email protected].

Next I have lovely Irish dyer Hedgehog Fibres Sock in Bramble, Iris, Birthday Cake, Method and Salty Tales

Then you can try Hedgehog Fibres Skinny Singles in Oracle Light, Salty Tales, Oracle, Goblin and Graphite

Or how about more Irish yarn from Life in the Long Grass Sock in Nourish, Cantaloupe, Antique, Meraki and Tanned

Or more LITLG Sock in Ocean Flight (yum), Chlorophyll, Evergreen Forest Bathing and Cauldron

And still more LITLG in Ocean Flight, Rosehip, Rosegold, Parasol and Wild Rosebay

I have some special LITLG sets coming later this month, if you want to wait for these. I have a very limited amount coming though. I'll let you know when they arrive!

I do hope this inspires you to think big and beautiful. If you want more color inspiration for a different Joji pattern, check out our previous blog posts (one, two and three) about her Starting Point shawl. You may see some color combos here you like too!

So much yarn, so much inspiration!

You might have noticed that we have received a serious amount of yarn in the shop in the past two weeks. Not only do we have new Miss Babs, Fiberstory,Madelinetosh and Hedgehog Fibres, but Tina and the gang at Blue Moon Fiber Arts just sent us an epic amount of Marine Silk Fingering, Yaksi Fingering and BFL Superwash Fingering. Gorgeous, vivid colors.

Since so much yarn has been flying onto the shelves, I thought you might like some fab pattern pairings to go with. Here's what you might like to knit with these lovelies. Of course, you could pair any of these patterns with any of these yarns. But we think some of these are so well suited that we wanted to share particular ones to go with particular yarn.

Do you love the new colors that Sarah has created for Fiberstory? Daybreak, Cora, Meadow... these are just gorgeous, don't you think? Show off these variegated colors with Favorite Scarf Ever, Honey Badger socks, Simple Things shawlette, Excess hat, or Starshower which is a cowl/shawl hybrid.

Have you seen the new batch of Miss Babs? It's totally swoonworthy. I have it in both the Tarte sock (merino and nylon with Tencel for the sheen and drape of silk without the price) and the new Hot Shot merino/nylon base. Hot Shot is very similar to it's cousin Cosmic sock, but it just seems to be plied a bit tighter. Other than that, same content and yardage and price. If you are in the mood for an addictive two-color project, I recommend pairing Tarte with our exclusive Poste Yarn Patina. It's the same base yarn, and you can combine the fab multicolors from Miss Babs with our tone-on-tone semi-solids. I did this with a Phi shawl and a Stripe Study, and I highly recommend it. Shown above is Tarte in Berlin, Biker Chick and Deep See Jellyfish.

So how about the Blue Moon Fiber Arts? We certainly want the right pattern to pair with these beautiful hues. Let's start with Marine Silk Fingering, shown above in Free Range Chickens, Ginger Plumlicious and River Rocked. I totally want to start Antarktis RIGHT NOW. Don't click on the link if you don't want to add another project to your queue immediately. YUM. The gorgeous edge of Eiku would be stunning in Marine Silk Fingering. Or go with something with less lace and more garter with Yvaine. If you like a blocked out scallop edge, then Knit Me is for you. And it might be for me too, using Yaksi (featured below).

Yaksi. A superb blend of superwash merino wool, silk and yak. Yes YAK. Have you knit this yet? You should. I have a special skein sitting next to my desk that I'm hoping doesn't sell out too quickly so that I can snag it myself. (I try and resist yarn for a few days so that others can get it first.... I'm USUALLY good about this. But today, my restraint is nearly gone and it's only 10am.) If you want to give this unique blend a try, wear it against your skin with the Sallah Cowl or Dandelion Days cowl. Choose several colors (or use leftover bits of this from other projects) to make the Moonraker, Make some mits and a neckwarmer with this Anne Hanson pattern. Or make a 3-color Cashmere Cowl. I've seen one of these in the shop already in Yaksi and it was a stunner.

BFL Superwash. If you like to try other breeds of sheep and experience what their fiber has to offer, give Bluefaced Leicester a try. These skeins seem to suck up the dye and deliver vibrant pops of color along with an added bit of sheen that you don't always notice in wool. Perfect for socks other accessories and garments. Shown above in Bag Lady, Cranberry Bogged and Grayple. Consider pairing one of these colors with Magrathea, Minetta, Emita or Willow Cowl.

Whew! Now that's a lot of inspiration from some super talented dyers and designers.

Madelinetosh Twist Light Color Combos

Oh Twist Light, how I adore thee. You are soft and tightly plied, just like I want in a sock yarn. And you have nylon, which is a huge plus (and rare for Madelinetosh). While you are totally meant for socks, we all know we use sock yarn for many other things. And since three-color projects are all the rage, here are some color combinations that I've been eyeing.

Below each color selection you'll see links to pattern ideas from Rachael (she's your personal shopper/shipper) and I that I really REALLY recommend clicking through to see on Ravelry. She has a good eye for these things, so I think you'll have a good range of choices from the both of us.

Baltic, Cardinal and Deep would be striking in a Barndom. Or choose two for a Rockefeller. 

I love this dusky, romantic combination of Blackcurrant, Opaline and Alizarin. Since these three are all slightly variegated instead of semi solid, I think the larger blocks of color in Moonstruck would be superb. Or go with Sunstruck and use the Leopard color as the dark edge. Want just two colors? Try Thunderstruck.

Coquette, Flashdance and Maple Leaf. Derecho would be awesome with these three. Or choose two for Whippoorwill if you like a slightly ruffled look more than a linear look.

Daffodil, Mansfield Garden Party and Carnation would look sweetly modern together in any three color shawl. Or try Stripe Study with just two. I knit this pattern a couple years ago in one variegated and one solid and it's so addictive. (I just remembered that I am at the cast-off edge! I need to get that finished and blocked so I can wear it!)

Margeaux, Steam Age and Aura would show nicely in any three color shawl. Or choose two for a Chadwick.

Nutmeg, Plaid Blanket and Jade. A perfect complement to any fall wardrobe without the typical maroon/burnt orange/gold combo you expect. Use all three for Pop, or pick two for Phi.

Want some socks? Try two of these for Broken Seed Stitch socks. Or all three for any shawl. Robin's Egg, Grasshopper and Tomato. I knit Tomato in Tosh Sock using the Nutkin pattern a few years ago and the results were fab. Hedera socks would also be gorgeous.

Scarlet, Optic and Leopard. Choose two for Miswis or all three for Happy Street.

Whiskey Barrel, Vintage Sari and Firewood. These are very similar to the colors I used in my Color Affection Shawl a couple years ago, so I definitely recommend that for these colors (or any of these color combos). Or you could pair two of these colors with the Elfe sweater.

Edison Bulb, Holi Festival and Fluoro Rose. Suggested with Neon Beast, Happy Street, or use two of these for Different Lines.

I could go on for days. I have a great selection for you right now and if you see other colors you think you might like together, just use the "Compare" feature to look at several of them on the same page. You just check the "Compare" box of up to four colors and scroll to the bottom of the page and click "Compare Selected." Super simple. And if you'd like one of us to compare them in person too, just e-mail Allison at [email protected] with the colors you're considering and we'll give it a look. We're happy to help!