WINNERS of the "Joy of Sox" Contest!!!!!

And now....what you've all been waiting for......



THE WINNERS of the "Joy of Sox" prize giveaway!!!

3rd Prize: KB (Aknitontheside on Rav) has won a FREE copy of my "Lisha Lace Scarf" pattern and a goodie bag

2nd Prize: Heather from Warner, NH (Woolkitty on Ravelry) has won a beautiful skein (in surprise colorway) of Sereknity yarn (which is created by another Heather in NH!)

and...

(eee...I'm soooo excited!)

1st Prize: Terri (Tlamosely on Ravelry) has won the brand new copy of "The Joy of Sox" and the skein of Sereknity sock yarn in "Pharoah's Gold" colorway.

Yay!!!!!!!

I want to thank everyone for not only entering in the contest, but also for the lovely and encouraging comments that you've all left on my blog and sent by email. (I'll be emailing all of you personally sometime today) It was such a super, super experience to read the wonderful things everyone had to say about my weight loss, the podcast and the book. I'd like to share some of the comments and Rav names of the knitters who entered into the contest....these are also in the order that they entered the contest...if anyone wanted to know ; ) (Just in case you wanted to say "hi" or check out their projects or blogs, I've added links.)

#1 Trisha:

"The best thing about handmade socks - the fit and feel!

I vote for no music on the podcast. I listen to knitting podcasts for knitting, not for the music. In fact, the music is annoying to me and I always fast forward through it, which is annoying since it takes time away from knitting while listening. If you like music, I suggest putting it at the very end. That would satisfy everyone."

#2 Rachel: (Elkbiologist on Rav)

"I enjoyed the podcast...it was the first time I've listened though I have been following your blog for quite a while now (though my commenting goes in waves!). I did find it interesting to hear the physical effects of knitting after having lost quite a bit of weight. That aspect wasn't something I had considered! Also...just to answer a couple of your questions...I haven't knit a huge number of socks so I can't say 'favorite yarn' based on knitting them up, but color-wise, and softness, a few come to mind. Knitting on Impulse, LotusYarns, and the Woolen Rabbit. Beautiful dye jobs in merino! Also, the number of times I wear handknit socks in a row...depends on exactly how long I wear them and in sandals or shoes etc. At least twice but I have been known to do more if they are holding up well and don't smell!

Thanks again for the contest and a huge congratulations for getting your designs published...they are beautiful!"

#3 Jessica (TheLibrarian on Rav)

"I enjoyed your podcast! It never occured to me that people did that!

and I often wear my socks twice too... :P"

#4 AKnitontheSide (Aknitontheside on Ravelry)

#5 Kathy:

"Hi Gina. Welcome back to podcasting."

#6 Becky (Beckygtstyl on Rav)

#7 Karen (KarenF on Rav):

"Your podcast was excellent. I've really missed it. I hope you'll do more, soon."

#8 Monica (Moknita on Rav)

#9 Barbara (MysticFaeire on Rav):

"Sexy!!!! Of course it is! :-)

It was good to hear your voice again."

#10 Hope (LoopsNBounds on Rav):

#11 Cayli (Spinayarnforewe on Rav):

"I am so excited for you to have not one but 2 pattern in this new book. The book looks beautiful and your patterns are too. It was fun to hear a podcast again as it has been so long."

#12 Heather in NH (Woolkitty on Rav):

"Congrats on your patterns being in "The Joy of Sox". That's SO exciting!!!! I'm going to buy the book even if I don't win.
I really enjoy your blog and podcast. I've been to the Yarn and Fiber Company a few times - it's a great store."

#13 Leslie (LGordon555 on Rav):

"Thanks for the fun contest! Again, great to have you back!"

#14 Karen L (Carrotmusic on Rav):

"Hi! Yours is the first podcast I have ever listened to. Every time I actually buy myself an iPod one of my kids has an iPod failure and I end up giving it away. Since I had a cake to bake tonight for an event tomorrow and therefore get to stay in the kitchen and keep it from burning, I decided to give you a listen. I have to say it has been fun and I might do it again sometime. It helps that most of the family is out this evening so it is nice and quiet (doesn't happen much with four kids!).

I was so excited when one of my knitting group buddies brought your book the other night. I didn't know you were in it, and it was such a hoot to be paging through it and see your name. Woo-hoo!

And by the way, congratulations on your weight loss success. Being a person of plus size myself, I can only applaud your efforts. Now I know why I never knit tops! Almost never, anyway."

#15 Susan (Donsdatter on Rav)

#16 Stacey (StaceyKnitsIt on Rav):

"I enjoyed your podcast just how it was with no music. I plan to knit the Amanda hat this year, just queued your new sock patterns, and just joined Sleepy Heads Rav. group.

Also forgot to say I wear my knit socks 2 - 3 times usually before washing. Sometimes they are only worn for a couple hours in the evening and depending on time of year, might not be worn all day. "

#17 Melissa (Melknit13 on Rav):

"Just finished listening to the podcast and definitely had moments of amusement. Thank you!

I really can't wait to try these socks, especially with such gorgeous yarn!"

#18 Terri (Tlamosely on Rav):

"I really enjoy your podcast and look forward to the next one."

#19 Linda (Lindy-Lou on Rav)

HUGE thanks again for everyone who took the time to enter into the contest and YAY for the winners!!!

Wishing you all a wonderful day and will be emailing you all soon : )

New Podcast! Episode 16: The Joy of Sox

Okay, everyone!

New Podcast is now UP!!

You can listen to it now HERE or you can download it from iTunes....as Sleepy Eyes Knits Podcast. (Sometimes, it takes a bit longer to get it to show up on iTunes, so if you're in a hurry, download it directly here on the blog.)

Sponsor Links are on the right sidebar of the HomePage of this blog.

Read the rules for entering the Prize Giveaway contest HERE.

Check out and/or join the SleepyHeads group HERE.

Check out my projects on Ravelry that are talked about on the podcast HERE.

Check out these groups on Ravelry: ManchVegas Knitters and International Moleskine Exchange.

Good luck on the contest and I hope you win!!!

Gina ; )

"The Joy of Sox" - PRIZE GIVEAWAY!!!

I'm very excited to share with you the newest sock book in the knitting world...



This sock book (which is a play on the book, "The Joy of Sex"...with lots of innuendo and flirty sock names) is very special to me - I have 2 sock designs in this book!

"A Roll in the Hay"



and

"Rock-A-Bye"



And, not only that, but "A Roll in the Hay" is the very FIRST pattern in the book and a picture of it is on the back cover. (On the front cover, is the gorgeous pair of socks ("Takeout for Two") by one of my favorite designers, Cathy Carron.)

AND, not only that...but both of the socks that I designed were knit using the beautiful and amazingly dyed Sereknity yarns by my very talented friend, Heather. She donated both skeins for these designs - Pharoah's Gold in Shimmer for "A Roll in the Hay" and Blue Hawaii in Satin. If you haven't tried knitting with her yarns, please try them now - and with my pattern (he he). Once you try one of her yarns, you will be totally addicted. Her yarns are available on her etsy shop, at The Yarn and Fiber Company in Derry, NH (and online) and also at many other online and New England yarn stores - including The Loopy Ewe and The Yarn Sellar.

AND, not only that...but THIS:

I'm having a prize giveaway that includes:

GRAND PRIZE



A FREE copy of the book, "The Joy of Sox" with patterns signed by me (if you are inclined to want such a thing!)
and
A FREE skein of Sereknity sock yarn in colorway, "Pharoah's Gold"

What do you think of that???

SECOND PRIZE

A FREE skein of Sereknity sock yarn in a surprise colorway!

THIRD PRIZE

A FREE copy of my "Lisha Lace Scarf" pattern
and
Small Secret Goodie Item

And, now you're asking..."What do I have to do to win these prizes?"

Simple!

RULES of GIVEAWAY

1. Read this blog post. If you want to be included in this giveaway, comment on this post with a joy that you get out of sock knitting or handknit socks.
2. Watch out for a new podcast ("The Joy of Sox") link on my blog or iTunes. (Check Wed or Thursday of next week)
3. Download and listen this podcast (Sleepy Eyes Knits).
4. I will give a codeword on the podcast that you will email to me (link for emailing on right on homepage of blog) and I'll enter you into the drawing.
5. Check out the blog on the following Monday to hear who won!
(Winners will be chosen by a random number generator)

Comment..NOW! Good luck!!!

(entries accepted until 10 pm of Sunday, 9/6/09)

P.S. If you'd like to see more pics and read more details of my sock patterns, please check out these Ravelry pages:

A Roll in the Hay and Rock-A-Bye (feel free to favorite them if you want...lol!)

I forgot! Lark Books sent the results to their Sock Questionnaire and here are the results...very interesting!

1. Do you wear socks to bed?
A) Yes 49.38%
B) No 50.62%

2. Do you have a yarn addiction?
A) Yes: big time! 64.32%
B) Maybe, although I'm working on controlling it. 31.95%
C) No--I can quit anytime I want. 3.73%

3. How often do you look at pictures of socks online?
A) 1-3 times per month 14.52%
B) 1-3 times per week 37.34%
C) 1-3 times per day 29.88%
D) More than 3 times a day 18.26%

4. What kind of music do you like to listen to while knitting socks?
A) Rock—It’s perfect for keeping a good pace. 16.96%
B) Classical—I’m classy like that. 9.57%
C) Heavy Metal—The rough stuff is always better. 1.74%
D) Jazz—Perfect for improvisations! 1.30%
E) Country—Laid back makes for smooth knitting. 5.22%
F) Audiobooks—My fingers work best on autopilot. 29.13%
G) Knitting Podcasts—All knitting, all the time. 13.91%
H) None—Silent and devotional! 22.17%

5. Do you prefer playing footsy:
A) Besocked 47.83%
B) Bare-toed 52.17%

6. Be honest, now. How large is your sock stash?
A) One medium-sized rubber storage bin 48.52%
B) Three shelves in my closet 31.65%
C) My stash has its own room! 19.83%

7. What’s your favorite post-sock activity?
A) Posting picks of your creation online 14.64%
B) Getting a hand massage 0.84%
C) Wearing your socks somewhere public 30.13%
D) Starting another pair (of course!) 54.39%

8. How many pairs of hand knit socks do you own?
A) 1–5 29.05%
B) 6–15 39.00%
C) 16–30 21.99%
D) An uncountable mass 9.96%

9. What's your favorite kind of sock yarn?
A) Wool 94.19%
B) Bamboo 3.73%
C) Cotton 1.66%
D) Acrylic 0.41%

10. Which is your most productive sock knitting season?
A) Spring—fresh breezes and pretty flowers are all the inspiration you
need. 9.44%
B) Summer—those lazy days are perfect for sippin' lemonade and
making socks, too. 24.89%
C) Fall—from Labor Day to the holiday rush, there's no better time to
add to your sock pile. 19.74%
D) Winter—you love to cozy up with a pair of needles and yarn. Let it
snow! 45.92%

11. Do you paint your toe nails?
A) Yes 43.28%
B) Why bother, I’m always wearing socks! 56.72%

12. What’s the most you’ve ever paid for sock yarn?
A) less than $10 1.66%
B) $10--$20 24.48%
C) more than $20 73.86%