A lot of people have been talking about how motivating they are finding SOS this year. They are getting old socks finished, exploring new patterns and having a lot of success so far. I’d definitely count myself among them since I’ve finally finished up an old project that I started last year myself!

Piscean Socks – An Original Design!

Pattern: My Piscean Socks – available for purchase on Ravelry now!
Knit: June 5, 2008 – June 22, 2009
Yarn: Tess Designer Yarns Super socks and baby – 2 skeins
Needles: Size 2 US

I’ve written this pattern with a toe up heel flap construction. While written for a size 11 US woman’s foot, the pattern is highly adjustable because of the nature of the fish motif. It’s easy to add or subtrack rows in the body of the fish or to narrow them as well. I’ve also written the pattern for the magic loop technique, but it could easily be knit on DPNs or two circular needles.

The suggested yarn from Tess Designer yarns is a joy to knit with and works great for colorwork. You’ll find it in a variety of fantastic colors or you can use any other fingering weight yarn that will give you the appropriate gauge.

I hope you’ll knit a pair for the favorite Pisces in your life! Then again, who couldn’t use a pair of fishy socks?!?

I went back to work today for the 1st time in 6 weeks. Oye! In some ways it wasn’t as bad as I thought it might be. My desk wasn’t buried in stuff and things seemed to be pretty calm. The real drag was that our computer system is in the process of being changed to a new one and basically I got to work no longer knowing how to do my job. Fun! So I spent the morning catching up on e-mail and trying to get up to speed so I could actually do some work. It wasn’t awful, but by the end of the day I was more than happy with my decision to go on a M/W/F schedule for the next two weeks. I’m sore and tired and happy to be home!

I’m still unable to carry a backpack (the shoulders are still too sore) so SOS couldn’t have come at a better time. What lighter and more portable project for train knitting than the ever trusty sock?! Here’s the one I decided on as my first official SOS project:

This is Leyburn in STR mediumweight, colorway Purple Rain. I’ve had this in the stash for quite a while at this point and when I went looking for my first SOS project it just about jumped off the shelf at me. The colorway is fabulous (of course) and I could use a little of the semi-instant gratification of a sport weight sock project.

Of course there is another pair of socks on the needles that I really need to finish. And I suppose if I’m going to do that I should get away from the computer. I’ll tell you more about them next time, but until then, just think FISHIES!!!

Happy Summer and Happy SOS’09!!!!

What will you be casting on!?

announcements!!

First, thanks to everyone who let me know the blog was working ok. I’m fairly comfortable with computer stuff most of the time but I find these upgrade nerve wracking as heck! I must say, the Mac and the Fios combination made it pretty easy this time! Love!! Anyway, on to the announcements!

Zarzuela’s Fibers is open again for business!! You’ll find a lot of the same stuff you love and some new things as well! I’ve added a bit of Finn top to the mix which is a lovely, soft and wonderful fiber to spin.

I’ve also add another new product as well! Luxury Sock Batts!!

These batts are a new product I’ve been working on for a while. I’ve used BFL as the base wool, then added some hand washed, picked, carded and dyed mohair locks (from a prize winning fleece I purchased at the last Rhinebeck) and a touch of tussah silk all blended together in a batt that will have excellent strength for your handspun sock yarns as well as a softness and luster that your feet will adore! These babies are a bit labor intensive, so there’s only one listing in the shop right now, but expect to see more in future updates.

One more bit of shop news, I’m hoping to start a new spinalong very soon. Come check out the thread in the Ravelry group for more information!

In Summer of Socks ‘09 news- We’re getting ready to kick off a new year on Sunday! You’ve got just a few hours left to enter the Button Contest. We’re also going to be having a special contest to celebrate the release of “Socks from the Toe Up” by Wendy Johnson (yep, that Wendy!) where you could win a copy of the book! Check out the details on that contest here. And finally, to get things started right I’ll be hosting a live webchat on Sunday morning. We’ll all get together and count down to 10am when we can all cast on for our first SOS’09 sock together. Check out the details here.

And on a personal note- I had a follow up with my surgeon yesterday and I’ve been cleared to start driving and go back to work. I’ll be doing a m/w/f schedule for the next two weeks to ease me back into the real world. I also started physical therapy today. I’m really looking forward to the day when this will all be a distant memory. Thank you again for all the continued good wishes! I am still overwhelmed by how supportive y’all have been in the last few months and I so appreciate it!

I’ve probably got another announcement or two, but how about we save something for another day? So what will *you* be casting on this weekend??

Yes indeed friends, we’re going to do it again!

The Summer of Socks 2009 will run from June 21st at NOON EDT to 10 pm September 1st!!

This year, our new mantra is LOW STRESS! Even before my current medical situation I had begun to feel as though SOS has, in recent times, gotten away from the original spirit of the thing. The purpose of SOS is to HAVE FUN knitting socks with our fellow knitters while learning from each other and sharing each other’s company. It’s not about competition. It’s not about who is faster, who is better, who is smarter. It’s just about HAVING FUN KNITTING SOCKS!

Therefore, there will be a couple of changes to the line up this year. Here are the highlights:

- SOS will take place exclusively on Ravelry. There will NOT be blog sign ups. Please join the SOS2009 group to participate.
- There will be one main contest and that will be the Socks on Vacation contest (see rules in the Ravelry group page).
- Depending on sponsorship, there will be a couple of raffles for those who complete a pair of socks during the summer. Details to follow!

That’s it! Easy peasy! So what do you need to do to join?

To be a PARTICIPANT, head on over to Ravelry and join the SOS2009 group. If you were a member of the group last year and didn’t leave it, you are already a member.

If you would like to be a SPONSOR, please send an e-mail to summerofsocks [at] gmail [dot] com with the subject SPONSOR – [YOur business name] and the following information:
1. The name of your business (again)
2. A link to a website for your business
3. A description of what you would like to donate

A list of sponsors will appear on the Sponsor page in the Ravelry group. Sponsors will be required to send their prize donation to me immediately upon confirming sponsorship. You will receive that information when you are confirmed as a sponsor. Sponsors will also have a dedicated thread where they may advertise specials for SOS’09 participants. Moderator Anne has agreed to handle the coordination of sponsors while I take care of my health. Thanks Anne!

WANTED: Postage donors!
Last year I had a few problems with sponsors getting their prizes to the winners, hence the change of all prizes coming to me first. However, this means that I will need to send out what could potentially be a very large prize package to the Socks on Vacation contest winner along with the raffle winners. As we all know, the world is in a difficult economic situation at the moment and I am not immune. Therefore, I’ve decided to ask for donations to cover postage expenses this year. If you would be willing to contribute, please send an e-mail to summerofsocks [at] gmail [dot] com with the subject POSTAGE. No amount is too small and I thank you in advance for your help!

That’s it!! Say it with my now, “LOW STRESS!!” Ah! Isn’t that better?!? If you have questions or concerns, please leave a comment. Otherwise, I’ll see you and all your socks during SOS’09!

P.S. Is there interest in a blog button? I might be able to swing a contest for a blog button design if there is enough interest.