Simply Socks Yarn Co. Blog

Ch-Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes....

I'm channeling my inner Bowie here, don't you know? Maybe the Bowie from Labyrinth?  Please tell me I'm not the only one who watched that movie over and over.  I loved it.

Anyway....

What are the changes?  Well, I have even more new yarn coming.  A slew of sale yarn from Online- regularly $13.75 a ball will be $6.88 for four more collections.  50% off!  Even I'm surprised at the wonderful deal I got, and am able to pass along to you.  I also have a great deal coming from one of my popular small dyers....

And I have a couple more new yarn collections coming in a couple weeks.  A wonderful new indie dyer to be revealed... as well as a great option for those of us who like yarn that softly migrate in color from one to the next.  Think Noro Kureyon but softer in color and texture.  And no, I'm not giving any more hints!

Finally, a change that I really don't want to make, but have to.  After three years of giving free shipping to my US customers when you make a $50 purchase, I have to raise the free shipping to orders of $70 or more.  USPS rates have really gone up over the past 3 years and I can't incur those costs any longer.  So to US customers, shipping is now $4.80.  If you purchase over $70, then your shipping is free.

Shipping rates have not changed for my Canadian (only $6.50 an order) or other International customers.  If you want to see the shipping policy in full, you can see it here.

Are you sick of not-so-great news yet?  Sorry, but here's another bit of it.  Sam, of sKNITches yarn, is no longer able to offer the self-striping Syncopation yarn to yarn stores.  I know, I'm very sad about it too, but it's just too labor intensive and she's just one person and can't make enough.  I will still be one of the few shops that offers her solids and hand paints (coming VERY soon), but the stripes are no longer.  You will have ONE LAST CHANCE to get striping yarn from sKNITches from me in the upcoming sock yarn club.  I'll keep you posted on the details here and in the newsletter.

One last change.... the ladies over at PT Yarn who introduced Opal Yarn to the US have now retired.  Opal was one of the first yarns I carried, and I ordered every collection that Mary Lou and Soxie offered.  They had a great eye for yarn and really were passionate about knitting socks.  Their website, which is no longer available, offered a plethora of free patterns, project ideas and inspiration for sock knitting.  I wish them the best.  Mary Lou really set the bar high for customer service- always pleasant to work with, and if she ever had a bad day you would never know it.  *I'm still carrying Opal Yarn, don't worry- it just comes from the new distributor. 

This will likely be my last post for the week, as the store will be closed Friday through Monday for the Memorial Day holiday in the US.  For those of you who place orders from Friday through Monday, they will be shipped on Tuesday.  Let's keep our fingers crossed for great weather!

 

Let the fun begin!

Today is the official start of the Lace Ribbon Scarf KAL!  If you want your blog, photos or description of your project posted on Fridays, remember to e-mail me by Wednesday of each week over the next month.  I'll post whatever info you want me to, or a link to your blog so that everyone can check out your progress.  You are also welcome to post your progress on the Ravelry board for the KAL, which is now over 120 knitters!   WOW!  My lovely friend, Swampette, is helping me to moderate the board, so you can leave you questions there if you get stuck.  One of us, or one of the many KALers will help out.  *Swampette is the one who taught me to knit socks a long time ago.  I was in a knitting rut and she not only gave a me a new obsession, but a skill that eventually led to my livlihood.

Joe, James and I had a perfectly lovely weekend.  I got to sleep in til 8am (!), I tested out the waffle maker that Joe bought me for mother's day, I got a bit of knitting in, and we visited the butterfly exhibit at the local Botanical Conservatory.  James saw a whole slew of butterflies and he even tried to grab a few.... definitely not one of the things that's allowed at the exhibit.  Even though the little buggers were quite lively, I was able to snap a few pictures.

Fannie's had herself a ewe!

Some cool news directly from Carol who owns Farmhouse Yarns:

"Happy news from the farm!!

Fannie (yes, the same Fannie as in Fannie's Fingering Weight yarn) gave birth to a healthy ewe lamb at about  2:30 this morning.  Mother and baby are doing fine, but I am tired.  I have been checking on them every half hour or so to be sure all the well.  It is critical to be sure mom is ok and to watch for a possible twin to be born and to be sure her mothering instincts are kicking in.  And, of course, to be sure the baby is okay and nursing normally.

This is Fannie's first lamb, baby is big- about 9 pounds, and she is white in color.  Not a suprise- both mom and dad are white.  Hmmmm- Fannie had a little lamb, it's fleece was white as snow?

Just wanted to share the happy news!!"

Carol wants name ideas- do you have any suggestions??

Now, how cool is that that not only do we all get to enjoy the lovely yarn from Farmhouse Yarn, but we also get details about the lives (and births) of some of the lovely animals that provide for us.  One of the perks of supporting a small, locally sourced operation.  Congrats, Fannie and Carol, on the new member of your family!

If you want to learn more about the small operation of Farmhouse Yarns, you can read more here.  Carol is sending a picture of the little ewe and I'll post it here when it's available.

Polka Dots Galore

I'm seeing pink and brown polka dots everywhere- clothes, bedding, stationary.  Could it be that soon I'll have to redo my entire website b/c pink and chocolate brown will be "so ___ years ago?"  Which got me thinking.... when did I develop my store's logo and signature colors?  More than three years ago when I was in the planning stages of my new store.  Which means that my store has been open for almost THREE YEARS.  Holy crap.

Three years doesn't seem like a long time, but to a small business owner it can feel like an eternity.  When planning a new business venture the "90% of businesses fail in the first year" statistic is bludgeoned into your brain with every book, website and document that you read.  You constantly hear variations of "Don't expect to make a living for the first few years.  And don't expect to see your family either."  And then when people hear that your business idea is to sell. sock. yarn.  Well, you're looked at like you have just jumped off the crazy train.  I know that look well.  "You sell sock yarn? Can't you just buy socks at Walmart?"  Yes, they do sell socks there.  But they don't sell meditation, relaxation, purpose, control, and a sense of belonging.  All of which a good knitting project can give you.

I'm just so thankful that my crazy idea turned into what it is today- a viable business that allows me to work with what I love and spend time with my family.  It wasn't easy to do.  Until I was 7-months pregnant with James I worked 90 hour weeks and had other jobs.  60 hours felt like a vacation! I actually packed boxes the day before I was induced to have my son.  And while my days certainly aren't easy by any definition of the word, they are rewarding, flexible and interesting.

I'm looking forward to celebrating the third anniversary of Simply Socks Yarn Company in just a few short weeks.  Lorna's Laces is helping me celebrate by dyeing up this very special colorway, which will be available at the beginning of June (isn't it cool?!). And while I won't have it in stock all the time, I do hope to get it back in a few times a year.

As I look back on the last few years and forward to the future, I have so many Thank You's to give out to all of you.  Knitters have given me a livelihood, a way to help support my family, and a purpose.

New Yarn and a Review of Dream in Color Classy

It's already shaping up to be one busy week here. Why's that?  Because some much coveted yarn has arrived.  I'm so proud to tell you that I've got some wonderful new yarn to share- Pigeonroof Studios superwash merino.  This is some tasty yarn, but unfortunately it's not going to be available too often.  Right now I have 8 colorways available from Kristy, will more on the way in the coming months.  Kristy really has a way with color, as you can see by viewing what I have here. Not only are the colorways gorgeous, but the yarn won't pool or stripe.  Shown below are my faves: Plum Hydrangea, Green Ocean and Nightshade

Also recently added are the new Trekking Hand Art- 6 gorgeous hand dyed colorways with 3 more to come (maybe later today).  They are all beautiful colors, but I'm always a sucker for greens.  And really nice yardage.  I'm considering this for gift socks, as I'm often wondering if the socks I've knit for someone will accidentally be felted in a hot washer.  Many sock yarns are labeled as hand wash, but we all know that they can be machine washed as long as we don't go overboard with the water temperature or agitation.  But with Trekking sock yarn I feel confident knitting it as a gift b/c I know that it will last through misuse and wear.  And now that there are some hand dyed colors available I can see these yarns turning into some well received gift socks.

Did you see all the new Berroco Sox that I have in stock?  I ordered all the available colors, several sold out quickly, and I have already received a second batch.  This yarn is available in many fun self-patterning colors, and it's only $12.50 a ball.

Finally, Dream in Color's Classy worsted weight yarn has arrived!  It's the first worsted weight yarn I've carried, and for good reason.  Not only does it knit up a superb sock, per the review below, but it's also a great choice for larger projects like the blanket-in-progress I'm working on.  Well, was working on until the weather got warmer and caused the poor thing to be shelved until the weather is cool enough that I don't sweat when I knit it.  It's one of those lap-covering projects.  Not so great for humid Indiana springs and summers.

Below is the Classy review from the lovely Laura (she received color 340-Gothic Rose).  She wrote the review almost 2 months ago and has been waiting for this yarn to come in so that she could get her hands on more.  Just like the Smooshy and Baby yarn from DIC that I carry, it takes awhile to get in stock.  But like the Smooshy and Baby, I'll place large orders and do my best to keep all colors in stock for you.  If you find you need lots of Classy for larger projects, feel free to e-mail me and make sure I have what you need- and I'm always willing to special order for you so that you get the amount you need from one lot.

From the moment I opened the package I was in love with the test yarn.  The shades of burgundy are beautiful.

I immediately put it on my swift and wound it with incident.  There were no knots, snags, break or areas of undyed yarn.  And to top it all off the yarn is so soft and yummy.  The yarn knit up quickly on size US 5 needles.  I cast on 48 stitches to fit a woman's size 8.5 foot.  In fact, the pair was completed, washed and dried within 3 days of receiving the yarn!

The color distributed equally and the yarn feels even softer after washing, which hardly seems possible.  As the northeast was hit with a mini-snowstorm last night, I was able to wear the socks today and found that they retained their shape and looked and felt great in my clogs.

I will definitely purchase this yarn and use it again and again.  The yarn was a pleasure to work with and the finished product is awesome.  In fact, my friends who have seen and felt the yarn are also anxious to start knitting their own pair of socks with this yarn.

It looks like Laura used her own basic pattern for this sock, but you might also try Thuja from Knitty.  I've knit the pattern twice now and it's a great basic pattern with just enough flair to keep it from being monotonous.

No yarn blog... now advice column

I just may have to stop writing about yarn and start asking you all about my mommy issues.  Thanks so much for the ideas- not only did you all teach me that the cranks come off my windows, but James somehow got one off and now it's hiding somewhere in my kitchen.  At least that's where I'm assuming it is, as one of my kitchen windows is missing a crank now and I don't know where it is....  Or it's the Crank Gnomes (Step 1: Steal cranks.  Step 2: ?  Step 3: Profit)

Since you all were fabulously helpful yesterday, I'm hoping you can help a girl out again today.

I'm sick, sick, SICK of spending so much of my family's hard earned money on baby things.  Like many a new mom, I got caught in the paying-full-price-at-Babies-R-Us scam and am now realizing that there are lots of families out there who are looking to pawn off their oversized baby goods so they can have their house back.  Since the weather is becoming nice and garage sale season has officially begun, tomorrow I'm going to start stalking the sales and finding lovingly used baby items (and perhaps a few patio furniture pieces??).  Tomorrow there are lots of sales in Fort Wayne (where I used to live and is still close by) and on Saturday Joe, James and I will be perusing the homes of Woodburn as it's my new town's "city-wide garage sale."  Our old summer Saturday tradition was going to the South Side Farmer's Market and then to breakfast, but since we no longer live in Fort Wayne and now have plenty of land for our our huge garden, we have to come up with a new Saturday plan.  And this Saturday is garage sales and coffee and pie at Bob's (best pie in the area- made by an Amish woman everyday- CHECK IT OUT if your tasebuds need a thrill).

So, for those of you who appreciate a good deal, what's the best thing you have found at a garage/yard sale?  And as James is nearing 1 year old, what kind of things should I be looking for that would be very handy for the year to come?  Not only am I looking for clothes, but also any kind of toy/gadget/whiziwig to make my life easier and James entertained.  I feel like the toys we have for him now are starting to lose their entertainment value.  Of course, if I just put them away for a few months, I bet I could get them back out and James would be enamoured with them again....

Q & A

Dear Experienced Mamas,

I have this wonderful little baby boy who is becoming more and more mobile each day.  And while I love that my son is becoming more of a little boy and less of a tiny baby, situations keep creeping up that I don't have solutions for.  My son, James, recently learned to hoist himself into a standing position and now uses every stationary object to steady himself.  His newest preoccupation is with my window sills; they are the perfect height and the small crank is right at mouth level.  He can stand himself up, look out the window at all the trees and bird.... and can fit the crank right in his mouth.

I'm affraid he's going to bang himself on his teeth (6 now!).  I know such window cranks are common and am wondering what I can do to deter him or make these less attractive to him.  Should I come up with crank cozzies to cover these?  Should I not let him stand and look outside?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated,

Scared New Mama

-PS- My husband keeps asking what I want for mothers day and I'm drawing a blank.  What was the best gift you've gotten for Mom's Day?  What are you asking for this year?

No song for you.

Oh, heck no.  I am NOT giving any more details about Ebeneezer Baby Sneezer.  I shouldn't have even mentioned it.  I only embarrass myself to get little smiles out of a certain squishy baby.

I'm so pleased to tell you all that so far you have all donated $1544 to the House that Yarn Built!  And with my $1000 match, that's $2544.00 that we have all donated to the House that Yarn Built!  I've kept track of everyone who donated from your e-mails to me, and all of you will be entered in a little contest.  One of you will win some yarny goodness from me in mid-May, and I'll announce the winner here.  Like I mentioned before, I'll keep the contest open until May 15.  Who knows?  Maybe even more donations will come in before then!  The House that Yarn Built is now over $10,000 and I'm sure will continue to grow.

I really appreciate the dozens of knitters who e-mailed me that you had made donations.  What really touched me were the few who apologized for donating "just __ dollars".  No amount is too small.  Really- everyone is generous for helping out the cause and no one needs to explain why you donated the amount you did!

And to tie up the week, the group I set up on Ravelry for the Lace Scarf Knitalong has grown to almost 70 people in just a few days!  Not only will many of you be sharing your progress on that board, but those of you who e-mail me your progress pics by Wednesday of each week (starting May 19), I will share your pics and progress here on the blog on Fridays.  You are welcome to e-mail me a link to your blog, if you would rather post your progress there.  I'm itching to start the KAL, even though I have a few weeks to go.  Til then, I'll have to find something to take my mind off it.

New Colors from Lorna's Laces

Oooh, new yarn.  I have all the new colors of Shepherd Sock yarn available from Lorna's Laces.  Take a look at the tastiness that just arrived.  There are five multicolors and one solid.  My faves are below: Apple Hill, Edgewater (the yarn samples I sent out with your orders recently), and Pilsen

And I have other Lorna's Laces news.... they have designed the special edition colorway to commemorate Simply Socks Yarn Company's third anniversary!  It's hard to believe that SSYC has been open for almost 3 years.  LL is dyeing 200 skeins to start and I'm making this colorway a fixture in the store.  SSYC will be the only store where you will find this colorway.

I'll let you know when the yarn will be available.  Probably in the beginning of June.  It's likely to sell out very quickly like the yarn that I've had dyed for previous anniversaries (Fleece Artist and Cherry Tree Hill did the others), but the one difference is that I will be ordering more.  While it won't always be stocked in the store, I hope to be able to get it in stock a few times a year.

I also have a few more colors of Alpaca Sox solids available, and more on the way.  Much of the Alpaca Sox is backordered right now b/c it's the yarn used in the super popular Lace Ribbon Scarf.

FYI- I'm now in the midst of organizing the next sock club.  So stayed tuned to the blog to get more details.

Title? Don't have one.

So far we have more than 30 people participating in the Lace Ribbon Scarf Knitalong!  Most of you are using Ravelry as well for this KAL.  If you want to be a part of the Ravelry group and are a Ravelry member, just go here:

http://www.ravelry.com/groups/lace-ribbon-scarf-kal

Otherwise, I'll post progress of the group here on the blog on Fridays starting May 19.  If you want your blog linked or pictures of your progress posted here, you have to send me the info by Wednesday to have info posted on this blog on Friday.  Want more info on the KAL?  Go here.

James has taken to pulling himself up on couches, window ledges and cabinet drawers- anything that will help him hoist his wobbly baby bottom off the floor.  He has yet to figure out how to gracefully lower himself back on that cushy bottom.  Sometimes he's able to grab progressively lower ledges and slowly make his way to a kneeling position, but most of the time he simply lets go of what he's holding and drops like a rock to the floor.  The most interesting moments involve him unexpectedly loosing his balance and face-planting onto the carpet.  I then try a well-timed cheer to preempt the wailing.... "Safe!" "Yea!" "Who's SO BIG?!" have all become the phrases of choice when I'm trying to keep James from realizing that he's majorly bashed his face into the floor.

This morning was a change of pace as he completely lost his balance while dancing to one of my made-up songs, Ebineezer Baby Sneezer.  (Oh, stop laughing- you know you've made up weird songs for your kids before!)  And though I was sure that he was going to wail and hold his hands to Mama for "up-up-up", he did not.  After falling on his face, he turned around and gave me this look that said "I'm-going-to-pretend-you-didn't-see-my-embarrassing-dancing-skilz-let's-not-speak-of-this-again."  It was purely ego-driven and super cute.  He then went about his business as if nothing happened.

Of course, I go and blog about it.  I guess when he's older I won't be able to blog about his embarrassing moments.