vanessarama.net

First, let’s go to the vendors. Given my complaints about the difficulty of taking good sock photos, I decided to get some sock blockers, but they’ve proved elusive. I know the Loopy Ewe has them, but I also knew they’d be large and heavy to post from the US. Then someone on the Melb S’n'B list recommended Natty Yarns. I placed the order, and my sock blockers arrived this week! Here you see them each sporting a single sock whose mate is still a work in progress. Sock Blocker One is demure in a standard 2×2 rib creation in Trekking XXL. Sock Blocker Two sports sexy striped stockinette, which shows off the colours of the Kool-Aid yarn I dyed.

The sock blockers are made of wood, varnished very smooth and fine, with a cute picture of a lamb etched in. They’re bigger than I expected, but that’s because my expectations were out of whack - of course they’re big, they have ankles and calves. Duh. I just hadn’t realised how big a foot/ankle/calf is in flattened mode! They’re fabulous. There were no problems with the transaction and the blockers arrived promptly so I do recommend Natty Yarns for Australian sock blockers - look under ‘Accessories/other’ for the blockers. I think it cost me about $33 including postage, which is a good buy.

Next, Simply Socks Yarn Company, who sent me my latest stash.

Top to bottom: Two skeins Lorna’s Laces Shepherd Sock in ‘Mother Lode’; two skeins ditto in ‘Irving Park’; one skein Schaefer Anne in ‘Scotch Thistle’. The yarn is beautiful - I had been wanting to try Anne for some time, and the Lorna’s comes in such luscious colours.

As for the vendor, I am very happy. I was quite surprised by how quickly the yarn arrived; I think it was exactly seven days, which is damn fast for shipping from the US. The yarns were packed in a little box, just right for the size of the order and well sealed. I will definitely use them again. That’s Simply Socks Yarn Company. Very happy with their prompt, accurate dispatching of my order!

I still have other vendors to try - most particularly the Loopy Ewe. I must admit to being tempted by the idea of free goodies and frequent shopper benefits I’m just waiting till she restocks on some of the yarns I am especially wanting - and she’s also going to be getting Wollmeise, so I think I’ll wait for that too.

I am eager for Ravelry to send my invitation and/or get out of beta testing. I signed up what seems like ages ago; I understand they’re going through them as fast as they can. I hear it’s absolutely wonderful and am itching to get in there; I’m sure it’ll happen! Reports from people who are using it are excellent. The creators have now quit their jobs to work on the site full-time, which means it will be ready all the sooner; I intend to donate to them as soon as I get my invite, because they deserve it. I hope quitting the jobs will be worth it for them