Socktopus.co.uk

More parcels!

2008-08-26T05:48:00.000-07:00

Malabrigo sock yarn just landed. Beautiful stuff. Squishy bouncy 3 ply. Divine.

Oceanwind Knits also arrived in those mesmerising colours.

These should be up tonight/tomorrow.

To come:

Hazelknits. You won't want to miss this yarn. Custom spun for Wendee, the lovely lady behind the Hazelknits. This yarn is amazing. My dream sock yarn - a tight three ply yarn - the three plies making a nicely rounded yarn which means a lovely bouncy fabric, the tight ply giving the yarn structure and longevity. The yarn is not unlike STR - another favourite sock yarn - which makes for squidgy, sturdy, socks. Should be landing next week.

Knit picks replenishing with pockets for the binders, more binders, more circs, more cables, and the new Harmony straights. I tried out a set and just love them. Lightweight, pointy tips, warm to the touch. Customs has them now so I suspect they should be with me tomorrow.

Knittery Chunky & Skinny sock yarn. Should land tomorrow/Thursday.

And Socktopod Rules, Crafter Rules, ABCD stitchmarkers, more WPI tools & Glimakra swifts - they are in the country and parceforce.com says they are supposed to be delivered today (last shipment of swifts was sent back to Sweden so keep your fingers crossed for me that the parcel imps take kindly to these shipments and permit them to land).

Off to take photos of all the goodies so they can go up. Sun sun come out!

Cute cute cute CUTE, dangnabbit!

2008-08-06T06:43:00.000-07:00

I got these gems in the post yesterday - just absolutely adorable and to die for.

If you haven't heard of Karatstix, you probably soon will - Lime & Violet have some of her great Sock's Rule and Cuff Rules on their Daily Chum. I've been working Karen, the artistic genius behind Karatstix, to create these exclusive Socktopod's Rules. A handy dandy (cute. so cute. crazy crazy cute) needle gauge, with a very useful 1" rule at the back. Made from renewable bamboo, so nice and light, as well as earth friendly, with artwork designed and hand coloured by Karen herself, these are really the bees knees. I know I've said they're cute, but.... well, I'll say it again. Insanely cute. Coolest things ever. When I opened up her parcel, I giggled like a maniac for a good 5 minutes. Poor hubby thought I'd lost my mind. Maybe just a wee bit....

My precioussssss.....

Ahem. These will be in stock at the end of August.

And I will also be getting these -

Perfect ABCD sets for Cat Bordhi-esque sock creations. Nice and light and again super super cute. A choice of either little white sheep, or a dastardly devilish skull & cross bones.

Now I don't mean to be a total tease - showing you these and then making you wait. I actually do have Karen's great WPI tools in stock now. Spinners take note! I've got Sheep to Socks and Baa Baa sheep styles with a very useful key ring.

And if you wanted a little pouch to carry it around in, you can't go wrong with a nice clear Socktopus Knit Bits case to carry it around!

Heehee

2008-07-23T10:50:00.000-07:00

Well, I mentioned before I was getting some needles in...my favourite needles... they are here, and up in the shop. Can you guess what they are?

If not, here is a little hint.....

Also arrived today more of the lovely Pagewood Farm Yukon, and some of their new yarns - Alyeska, a cashmere/merino blend not unlike Casbah, Willow Creek a 2 ply laceweight superwash Merino, and St Elias a BFL sock yarn. Pagewood Farm yarns will go up tomorrow.

Happy knitting!

Goodies galore

2008-07-22T00:50:00.000-07:00

Just to let you know that all the following new goodies are up in the shop:

-Middleearthknitter Yarns
-Oceanwind Knits
-Louet Gems
-Louet MerLin
-Royal Ball winders
-Coilless safety pins small and large

I also have new Jennalou bags which will go up later today.

Diane Mulholland's Having Hope socks are up in the shop - all proceeds go straight to Cancer Research. Great cause, great sock so do get knitting!

And lastly, join the Ravelympics! We've got Team Socktopus on the Ravelry boards, so come along and join up.

Just arrived!

2008-07-18T05:15:00.000-07:00

Gems in the following colourways in 50 gram fingering weight skeins:

Goldilocks
Bright Red
Lilac
Neptune
Shamrock
Pewter
Eggplant
Fern Green
Violet
Grape
Sage
Willow
French Blue
Burgundy
Citrus Orange
Caribou

and royal ball winders. These will be up on the site later today.

The colours are just lovely. The bright red is a perfect post box red!

Jennalou's sock bags will be delivered on Monday and up on the site shortly thereafter. Keep an eye out if you want to nab one as they go quickly.

Goodies goodies! Lots and Lots of 'em!

2008-07-12T01:18:00.000-07:00

Squeeeeeeeeeeeeee! I just had the shipment date confirmed - my absolutely favourite needles in the world - are coming to you know who! And no - not Voldemort, little old me. Can you guess? Nice, soft cables, pointy ends... comes in a choice of pretty wood and nickel plated metal...

Actually there are oodles of new things coming: Louet Gems fingering weight, in an assortment of colours, has been shipped, along with Royal ball winders, (should arrive in a week or so). Jennalou's popular (and PURDY!) sock bags have also been shipped and should be landing shortly. Pagewood Farm Yukon (bamboo/merino/nylon), St Elias (BFL/nylon) and Ayeska (merino/cashmer/nylon) and their new Willow Creek yarn. Oceanwindknits should be shipping shortly as well as Shelridge Farm (with some more of their lovely solids for colourwork and a few new handpainted colourways).

We've got more of Cairi's lovely Middleearthknitter BFL up in the shop, those of you in the Sock(topus)Club will know this yarn from the Mosaic socks, those who aren't I urge you to try the yarn. Lovely to knit with and super durable (I've seen year old, well used socks that still look brand new knit up in this yarn).

Fun tools - coilless safety pins, pattern tamers, Swedish umbrella swifts to come in August, along with Socktopus Knit Bits - (hee hee, another surprise...) more Dream in Color in the ever popular Smooshy, Classy and introducing their Baby Lace Weight.

Pretty as a Peacock has been crazy popular, a massive shipment is coming soon so I'll be able to fill all the preorders, as well as Jae's Bois Blanc pattern.

There are more surprises - one super scrummy yarn that will ship in September (if all is well at the lovely Canadian mill that makes it), and I'll have a sample for you to fondle at iknit day & Ally Pally (stand H21!). Keep your eyes peeled, there is still more to come.....LOTS more to come! :D

Doubled Tail Long Tail Cast On

2008-07-03T10:28:00.000-07:00

You'll need to be familiar with the long tail cast on, aka double cast on, continental cast on, sling shot, two-strand, Y cast on, german cast on. Knittinghelp has a great video tutorial for it.

A doubled tail long tail long tail cast on basically takes the tail, doubles it, and continues as normal. I learned this from JC Briar, an absolutely amazing teacher. Lucy Neatby also refers to this in her knitting videos. The doubled tail strand, which sits like scarves around the base of the stitches on the needle, gives a lovely rolled cast on edge, and also helps give a good elasticity to the cast on. Don't pull tight on the tail strand, just pull it so that it sits cleanly under the stitches. Too tight, you'll lose your nice elastic edge, too loose and it'll look sloppy. Experiment to find just the right tension for you.

I start with yellow and blue spitpliced yarn to help you see which bit of yarn does what. Blue for the yarn that comes from the ball, and yellow for the tail end.

So take the tail end, fold it in half like so, and place over the needle.

Take your finger, and place it over the yarn and the tail end to keep it from moving around.

Then continue on your way with a normal long tail cast on, bringing your needle towards you, then under the loop on your thumb.

Then snag the ball yarn

and bring it through the tail loop towards you to create a new stitch.

Take your thumb out of the tail loop, and pull it (not too tight, just so that it sits cleanly under the new stitch on the right needle)

Stretching your thumb and finger apart, whilst holding on to the tail and ball yarns in the rest of your fingers, will help tighten up loose stitches.

Repeat process for more stitches.

By the third new cast on stitch you'll be able to take your right index finger off the tail end and first cast on loop, and it'll hang there nice and obedient until weaving in time!

Masterclasses!

2008-07-03T01:56:00.000-07:00

We have 2 fantastic teachers lined up for classes this August.

Jane Lithgow, whose talents and fibre adventures can be found at janesprobablyknitting.blogspot.com, and Diane Mulholland, whose spinning and designing pursuits can be found at dianemulholland.com/blog.

If you have never knit a sock before, or if you just want to brush up your skills, these classes are for you!

Quick & Dirty Summertime Special with Jane Lithgow
3 hour workshop for knitters who want to try their hand at socks. You must be able to cast on, knit, purl, increase and decrease.
Held on Saturday 11am to 2pm.
Choose from two dates - Saturday 2 August or Saturday 30 August.
£35 (includes all materials needed for the class)

Midsummer Masterclass with Jane Lithgow
2 hour workshop covering advanced techniques to refine and spice up your sock knitting repertoire.
Held on Tuesday 5 August 630pm to 830pm.
£15

SuperSpin (2 part course) with Diane Mulholland
This two part 6 hour workshop covers all you need to know to go home spinning. Learn the basics on how to choose fibre, the different methods of fibre preparation (including carding and combing), and drafting. You’ll even get a chance to try out a couple different wheels.
~~Held over two Sundays (10 August and 31 August) from 11am to 2pm~~ CLASS FULL

Additional class now being offered: Held over two Sundays (7 and 14 September) from 11am to 2pm <
£65 (includes all materials needed for the class, including a drop spindle, and enough fibre for you to take home & pratice with)

Toe Up Tootsies with Diane Mulholland
2 hour workshop on how to knit toe-up socks, covering short rows and toe up construction in detail. You must be able to cast on, knit, purl, increase and decrease and knit in the round, preferably familiar with basic sock construction.
Held on Thursday 14 August 630pm to 830pm.
£25 (includes all materials needed for the class)

To sign up, click here.

I <3 EZ SALE

2008-05-23T06:02:00.000-07:00

EZ's Knitting Workshop is back in stock, and my absolute favourite Knitting Around. Baby Surprise Patterns are also now available for £2.50 each, so if you haven't tried it, now is the time!

If that weren't enough incentive, I've put a couple perfect BSJ yarns on sale -Supersock reduced to £10 a skein from £13.50 and Koigu down to £6.50 from £8 a skein. So what are you waiting for? ;)

To complete the fun, we're holding a KAL startling 1 June, so come join the fun!

Alice x

RAFFLE DRAW RESULTS

2008-05-15T10:16:00.001-07:00

I love these random integer generators. So much easier than finding a hat and cutting up lots of scraps of paper!

So I asked the generator to pick 3 random numbers for the draw

And the clever program thought for seriously a fraction of a fraction of second, and came back with these numbers:

All raffle tickets were allocated a number based on the order in which they were purchased.

Our three lucky winners are:

26: Lianne - a skein of STR Knitters without Borders
14: Susan H - a skein of STR Knitters without Borders
2: Maureen - the Yarn Harlot's book "The Things I learned from Knitting"

Thank you to everyone who participated!! The full list will be sent to the Yarn Harlot for her tally and £165 sent to Medicins Sans Frontieres in your names.

New Yarn!!

2008-05-14T05:25:00.001-07:00

Just arrived today: Pagewood Farm Yukon sock yarn. Gorgeous Bamboo Merino Nylon mix - a bit of shimmer, lots of softness and pretty pretty colours.

This is one of the yarns I came across on the Seattle crawl - I fell in love with the Navajo colourway (the blueish one). I hope you like it as much as I do!

Now up in the shop!

I'm baaaaack! RAFFLE FOR STR!!

2008-05-01T05:00:00.000-07:00

Finally have caught up on the backlog of orders, and had a fabulous meeting with someone who will help with the website today.

Yesterday I spent the day with Diane doing the little extras for the sock club parcels, AND all the yarn also arrived. Soooo we're looking up!

It's good to be home. I finally feel normal again (waking up AND getting dressed this morning AND remembering to brush my teeth, wash my face, eat breakfast. This is a very good thing!). I'm now in planning stages for some fun new things for Socktopus (knitting retreat with a couple Grande Dames of sock knitting... Nancy Bush is one I'm hoping to have come over.. and am waiting to hear back from another sock knitting doyenne...

Update on the raffle - I'm also including as third raffle prize, a signed copy of the Harlot's most recent book - "The Things I Learned from Knitting". Tickets can be bought here.

And here are some better photos:

And a piccie of it knit up in two different patterns:

Raffle for Knitters Without Borders

2008-04-21T11:27:00.000-07:00

More details below. Until I can get a cable for my big camera, here's a shot from my mobile phone. STR in Knitters without borders.

This is a raffle for one skein of Socks That Rock in the Knitters Without Borders colourway. There are two skeins up for grabs (so two chances to get a skein of the STR). You may purchase as many raffle tickets as you would like. The draw will take place on May 15th. All money from you raffle tickets will be donated to Knitters Without Borders, and a list of all your names will be sent on to Knitters Without Borders as well (I believe the Yarn Harlot also has a prize draw from time to time for donaters).

So not only are you getting a chance to get an exclusive colourway from STR, but you are also supporting a wonderful and important organisation. I'll keep a running tab of the donation pot on the home page of Socktopus and if I can figure it out, on the side bar of the shop blog.
To enter your name, purchase one or more tickets on the site (each ticket enters your name in once, so 2 tickets gets your name in twice, three tickets your name in three times, etc) and checkout in the usual way. I'll keep a list of your names and donation amounts which will be sent to the Yarn Harlot after the draw.

A little background: Knitters Without Borders was born as a response to the tsunami disaster on December 26th 2004, but exists to fundraise for Médecins Sans Frontières / Doctors Without Borders.

In case you aren't familiar with MSF, the Yarn Harlot has a page here: http://www.yarnharlot.ca/blog/tsffaq.html which tells you all about this great organisation (which won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1999!).

In short (and copied straight fromt the Yarn Harlot): MSF is a medical relief organization dedicated to bringing help to people in the worst circumstances in the world. MSF goes where other relief organizations (NGO's) will not. Where circumstances are the most desperate, the most dangerous and the most hopeless... you will find Médecins Sans Frontières. MSF is transparent and neutral without any political or religious affiliations, and does not accept donations from Pharmaceutical companies or companies that make Tobacco or Alcohol. Part of their job is to witness and report violations of human rights and dignity. MSF helps all persons who need them, regardless of their race, religion, politics or gender. Since its inception Knitters Without Borders has raised a staggering $434 439.41.

Get ready, get set, GO raise some HOPE & RELIEF!!

AWAY

2008-04-10T03:03:00.001-07:00

Just to let you know I will be away from the 11 April to the 23 April in the US sourcing new and exciting products and attending a sock camp. You will still be able to place orders while I am away, and I will send out your parcels when I return (parcels will start to go out from the 24th April). Thank you!

First Socktopod Socknitter's meetup

2008-04-04T01:50:00.000-07:00

We had our first Socknitter's meet up yesterday in Troubadour, a bar/cafe/restaurant near Earl's court. Troubadour gave us a lovely corner of the place, tucked away near the window. Plans were hatched, new friends were made, cake and (many) cocktails were drunk. All in all a great start to what I hope will evolve into a regular event.

Next one is tentatively planned for 7 May 2008 (Wed) and will be held in Notting Hill. Email me if you would like more deets!

Justine, Sally & myself decided to start a Swallowtail mini-KAL, using some delectable Camelspin which is oh so soft. And also to do a Have a Hope KAL. The Have a Hope socks were designed by Diane Mulholland in honour of her step-dad Alan who is currently in chemo. All proceeds from the sock pattern are being donated to cancer research so not only will we be having fun, supporting a talented designer, we'll also be giving to an important cause.

We had Koki, a complete newbie sock knitter:

Some familiar faces Larissa & Emilie:

Dee:

Laura & Emms

Mel

Some new faces with lovely socks!

Caro

Alex

Birthday girls Ali

And Emms:

Justine bringing another convert (our very lovely waiter) over to the dark side:

And just to prove it wasn't only socks:

Bring on the next Socknitter's meet up! Am already looking forward to it. Next Monday/Tuesday will visit a couple potential venues. Rock on knitters!

Up up and awaaaay

2008-02-29T14:15:00.001-08:00

I'm off on Saturday to be married in Canada.... am excited but a bit anxious too!

Thanks everyone for the wonderful messages. Just to let you know I'll be keeping an eye on emails until the 12 March. I'll respond to any emails sent after the 12th when I"m back the 24 March.

I have not one but two trusty deputees taking care of orders whilst I'm away - parcels will only be sent however two or three times a week, rather than mostly everyday. Thanks for understanding and for your patience!

See you again then and wish me luck! :)

Handmaiden - Fleece Artist!

2008-02-26T04:46:00.001-08:00

We had a shipment of Camelspin, Seawool and Casbah a little while ago, and I realised I hadn't blogged about it! All three yarns are available in the same colourways (I am still taking photos for Seawool and Casbah, but until they are up the camelspin photos are very comparable.

I made a swallowtail shawl out of one skein of camelspin - i had even some left over using the recommended needle size for the pattern. The yarn is gorgeous to knit with, silky, soft and luscious. I managed the nubs alright by splitting them in 3 then 2, kind of like a ssk method. The shawl is lovely, I've ravved it, but not blogged, so here are some photos:

The colourway is Moss, and is a very delicate lovely green. Pictures seem a bit more yellow though.

Also finished my Leaf Lace socks from Vogue Ultimate Socks in Knittery Waterlilies. These were gifted... though it was quite difficult to part with them. Beautiful colourway, and lovely to knit with. I really enjoyed the pattern - a quick knit these ones. I would say however that the ladder lace isn't ideally paired with this yarn - not very elastic. Next ones (for me!!) I'm going to knit a more elastic pattern for the back of the leg.

Sock Bags!

2008-02-19T01:10:00.001-08:00

More sock bags in stock from Jenna Lou. These ones are slightly larger than the prototypes, with a zippered outside pocket, perfect for stitch markers and notions, and enough room for a sock project, or even something in worsted weight!

Dimensions are 8.5 inches high, 9 inches wide at zipper, and 9.75 inches wide at base. Depth at base 3.75 inches.

I tried putting some yarn in there so you get an idea of size:

This is the Vines pattern with 420 metres of Smooshy sock yarn in it:

And for comparison, the same bag with 250 yards of Classy in it (worsted weight):

Lots of room for little extras. I actually managed to put both skeins in the same bag and close it up, though it is quite full this way!

Now Up - New Evo colourways, Indigo Moon colourways

2008-02-02T02:06:00.000-08:00

Finally got some great morning sun, took photos of the new evolution colourways (I love these new ones - Lichen, September, Sea Monster, Ophelia.... ), and colourways of Indigo Moon.

Spunky Eclectic

2008-01-17T14:31:00.001-08:00

She does great roving for spinning, and great sock yarn. Skinny, tightly spun - Skinny Socks in banish the winter grey colours now up in the shop!

New up in the shop...

2008-01-16T13:34:00.000-08:00

Flock Socks, Bamboo-Ewe, from VanCalcar Farms (yes, the one the Yarn Harlot mentions, the yarn that the Vintage sock from the Tsock Tsarina is made with), the Knittery (finally!!), and at the suggestion of dear J, Socktopus stitch markers, under Tools.

I <3 YARN SALE

2008-01-14T03:38:00.001-08:00

Post Christmas, it always seems that at the end of the money, there is so much month left. To make it a little nicer to reward yourself after a hectic holiday, Socktopus is having a SALE!! Various yarn will take turns being on sale, and we are starting with a whopping great sale on the classic sock yarn - Cherry Tree Hill Supersock at a great feed your stash price of £9.95. Also on offer are Koigu KPPPM and Shelridige Ultra. We now have Classy in all the great Smooshy colours, and as a little treat for anyone wishing to knit their dear hearts a jumper, Classy is also in the sale. Sales ends on 14 February - in time for Valentine's Day!

And the winner is...

2007-12-17T12:10:00.001-08:00

In time honoured tradition, I put all the names onto little strips of paper, bunched them up and put them in a little bowl. I would have let Deuce choose the name, but I feared he would simply eat them all. I closed my eyes and chose a scrunched up ball....

....

.............

and out came: Piglottie!!

And here is a glimpse of the yarn she won - Duet Sock Yarn's Original Frost Berries

SOCK(topus)CLUB 2007

2007-12-07T06:41:00.001-08:00

Emails have gone out to the Club Members - if you have not received your email & blog invite, please get in touch!!! AliceATsocktopus.co.uk

Thanks!!

Sock Club timeline

2007-12-04T02:10:00.000-08:00

Sock club emails haven't gone out yet (so don't worry Hreow!). Parcels will be packaged up Mon Tues next week and planned posting on Wed. Any US parcels will be posted slightly earlier to make posting deadlines.

Emails and newsletters will go out this Friday, so keep an eye out!!