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Rockin’ Sock Club 2010
Announcements | November 06, 2009
Hey there NSk’s we are planning the club for next year and I would like to know how you would feel if the emergency key chains disappeared?
They cost a whole bunch to have made and effect the bottom line pretty heavily.
You input on this would be most helpful.
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96 Responses to “Rockin’ Sock Club 2010”
Wouldn’t bother me a bit. They are cool, but I’m more interested in the yarn and patters.
I second this. They’re cool and I do love swag, but I prefer the yarn & patterns to the freebies.
Agreed. They are adorable but the yarn and patterns are the key to my loving the club.
I plan to hang mine on my Christmas tree, but they were an unexpected bonus & I probably wouldn’t have missed them. Save the $$$, I say.
For what it’s worth, I like them and think they’re a part of what made the club special. Yes the yarns and patterns were great but it was quite nice to have a way to remember the individual shipments especially if the socks/yarn were gifted.
I like them, but can live without them.
Okay, don’t laugh but they might be my favorite part! However I am not even sure I can join ($) this year- so don’t count my vote- Or maybe could I join the keychain club Tina? Huh Huh can I ???
Ok Carla I have to admit to considering an emergency keychain club sometime last year for a few moments.
This has been my first year in the club, and I have to say that I love the emergency keychains. I do understand that they are expensive to make, but I would miss them if they disappear. I believe that you used to have an official binder to store all of the patterns and notes in, but those have disappeared too. Part of what I love about getting my packages every other month is seeing what cool little items are included with the yarn and pattern. In a way it makes me feel like I’m really part of a select group, as only club members receive stuff like the emergency keychains. Otherwise, if we lose the keychains and other “swag”, the exclusive feel to the club disappears for me. I could just wait and buy the yarn and patterns once they are “released” to the public at large in a year.
If you are considering replacing the emergency keychains with something else, might I suggest creating an emergency sock knitting kit? Every other month we would receive a component of the emergency kit. Components could include things like exclusive club stitch markers or a mini emergency crochet hook for picking up dropped stitches (wow - could I ever use one of those!), or a mini cable stitch holder, small measuring tape, small laminated card of emergency info - like how to do certain knitting techniques like the kitchener stitch, darning/yarn needle, needle gauge thingy that actually is useful for measuring the size needles commonly used for sock knitting (the gauge thingy I have right now isn’t really good for telling the difference between 2.0mm, 2.25mm, 2.50mm and 2.75mm). I am sure that other people could come up with more items, including a cool small bag/container to hold all of them items in. I think that being able to build up a really good kit of items needed to knit socks, that are somehow designed (i.e. with certain colours or STR/NSK logo) so that they are recognizable as being for club members, would be cool. And, while I love the emergency keychains and would be sad to see them go, if they were replaced by something like this that would be fun as well as useful, I would be able to get over the loss of the keychains. Although, maybe you could include one emergency keychain at the end of the year of one randomly selected yarn colour, as one of the components in the emergency kit? Then I wouldn’t have to quit my keychain addiction cold turkey
Have a great weekend Tina and all of the rest of you NSKs!
Like Kelly’s comments above. Thanks for stating it so well.
I have no idea what I’m supposed to do with the emergency key chains.
However, I’m not sure I’m a good person to ask input of. There were only a few colors/patterns I would feel compelled to buy after the year is up and when they are generally available. Therefore, I’m not seeing the benefits of joining the club again next year especially if it’s just going to yarn and possibly a pattern.
I try not to voice my opinion about the yarn because it is so personal and it’s something that you actually created. However, since you sort of asked, I’m letting you know. Hopefully, you’ll take it with a bit of a grain of salt!!
Amy
This is also my first year, but I absolutely love Kelly’s idea. And get your knitting ready, football starts in a couple of hours. Pam
This is my first year as a member. I have to say there are many components of each shipment that are important to me, but the emergency key chain is just not one of them! I love the patterns, dyers notes and the dreamy colors of yarn ( how DO you do this, month after month). If something needs to go, I vote for no more emergency key chains. Kelly’s ideas were great, but it sounds like you are trying to cut costs and not replace one item for another in your budget.
Just keep up the incredible creativity that feeds our creative “soles!”
Judy
In response to Kelly; I did not say all swag would go. I just want to know how many just cannot live without the keychains and who can. So I can make an informed decision that makes most of my knitters happy.
p.s. Kelly you will be over the moon thrilled with the swag this time. I know I am. I have had this one in the works since January.
I could live without the key chains, but I have enjoyed receiving them with each shipment of yarn. I absolutely love the surprises that you enclose, though, i.e. hokey pokey sticker. Keep those coming, please, and the wonderful yarn and patterns, of course!
I am glad to hear that you won’t be doing away with all of the swag (I love that term - it makes me feel like a pirate!) And I have enjoyed seeing what comes with each package. I never know what to expect! I also understand that it is expensive to make up the keychains. Maybe you could just limit the keychains to once a year, possibly as part of the final package. It sounds like a fair number of people use them as Christmas decorations on their tree. This would allow those people who would be sad to see them go completely to get at least one emergency mini-skein, while cutting down your costs to one sixth of what it is right now. Just my two cents worth (actually, more like a nickel’s worth now!)
And after reading your response to my earlier message Tina, I can’t wait to receive the November shipment! This whole year has been an absolutely marvelous experience for me. I really hope that there will be enough space for me to join up again next year (with or without the emergency keychains - they are just so darn cute though!)
I think those with longer feet or those that live dangerously in lengthening the pattern leg may have a say on the emergency skein. I normally don’t need to use those skeins, but it sure came in handy when I extended Yarnissima’s (Marjan’s) Cleopatra’s Stockings to her original design length.
Maybe provide a buy option for club members only on the website like the extra skeins now offered, but for the emergency key-skeins (or a larger mini-skein - whatever’s easier & more economical) for any lengthening requirements/options instead? Just a thought.
I love the emergency key chains. I save them just for the sake of having them.
I have friends in other sock clubs and they get a lot more swag then this club does now (this is my first year so I don’t know what it’s been like in past years). I think that is what makes the club feel exclusive - especially if the colors and patterns are going to be available within a year.
All that said, money is a big factor this year for me so I’d need to know what the cost difference would be to say yes or no.
I don’t mind if they no longer come with the kits, while they are kind of fun, they just take up room at my house. I do keep them in case I need to darn a sock later in its life though. So, my vote is to leave them out, I like the surpise swag items more than the keychains. But I do like Nartians idea to put them on the website if you can.
I would miss them - I’ve got just about 3 years worth on my corkboard, and the ones that aren’t there have saved my rear for multiple kits.
Would I refuse to join for 2010 without them? No.
They are kind of cute, but I don’t feel like I need them.
The keychains are adorable, but certainly not worth a lot of hassle or cost. The patterns and yarn are the real attraction of the club for me.
I look forward to the patterns and yarns, and not the keychains. Cute but not functional for me. Thanks for keeping the cost down!
I like them, but their absence would not keep me from joining.
Well, I do enjoy them. While I haven’t yet needed one to finish a pair of socks, I have read posts from people who have. I think they are the most useful items in the swag we receive.
If I had to see something go, I’d rather it was the emergency yarn than other swag. I really love the dyer’s notes, too, and would miss that a bunch.
I really enjoy the keychains, but could live without them if it would be easier for y’all.
I would really miss the keychains. I copy my patterns and put them in three ring binder sleeves and then use the keychains to hold them together. They are a great reminder of all of the yarns we have gotten through the club. Plus, when I pull out my office keys, they make everyone laugh when I tell them I might need to whip up a toe in a meeting. The are unique to this club, and to me, a part of it.
The key chains are cute and I have a lovely collection. In this matter you can be the boss of me though. I love my club, my NSKers and my packages.
If it makes it more affordable for you and others, go for it. Big picture here.
Aww. I love the emergency keychain. I’d be sad to see it go, but it’s not a deal breaker for me. I’m in for next year too no matter what! I’ve been saving!
Maybe send one out for the year and send the emergency skeins w/ each order. That way, we can put the skeins on just one of the keychains for the whole year. If you keep your costs down, so do we.
I think that everyone in the club could make their own keychains with the leftover yarn from the socks. Maybe you could give us a label sheet at the end of the year with all the yarn names and we could use that to make our own emergency key rings.
I love them, but I can do without. Just keep the yarn and patterns coming!!!
I don’t have a problem with it, but relish the emergency yarn. Certainly a few yards tied into a small mini mini skein would substitute just fine. It’s the sweating at the end of the toe that I would dread if that little bit of yarn were to disappear entirely.
Happy knitting
Sharon T. Houston
I love them, think they’re adorable, and probably would miss them if they go. But I won’t be broken hearted if they aren’t there. And keeping costs down should be paramount.
Agree with Ann above - love ‘em, think they’re adorbs, but I won’t be heartbroken if they go.
I’d be o.k. without the mini skein key chains. I would like to get swatchable samples of some of your other yarns, in any color. I’ve wanted to know how some of the sweater yarns knit up without buying a whole skein to find out. Perhaps a few yards from a skein that doesn’t meet your quality control standards.
Camille
I agree and it is on my short list for the beginning of the year.
I agree with steph - A sheet of little labels and a few rings in the last kit and we can make our own emergency skeins or other fancy doo dad to hang on our tree (or around our neck)If costs can be kept down, I can live with it. As for needing the yarn to finish a sock, I think we have been pretty good about sharing our leftovers with those who were blessed with larger feet.
I like steph’s idea too. And Camille’s idea about swatchable samples. You guys rock!
I think the keychains are cute but I would not miss them if they go away since they do not contain enough yarn to complete a pair of socks if I run out.
However, since I am on the fence about rejoining, feel free to discount my vote.
I liked them and thought they were cute, but if they go away, they were special treats for my first year in the club. I enjoy the swag, but I joined for the yarn and the opportunity to stretch my skills!
Little things come and go..the key rings are neat..but business has to be more enticing to keep people interested…gimmicks always works…
I have to agree with Camille. The idea of some other swatchable sample that we may not have purchased before could be cool. As far as the other swag is concerned, I am happy to do without any of it, including the keychains, simply because, for me, its all going to go in the recycling. I’m not one who makes scrapbooks, so anything not directly related with the knitting or your notes, becomes a waste item, that frankly, we don’t need any more of.
I have however, enjoyed the club as a whole. It was the first one of its type I’ve ever joined and its been quite challenging and fun. Thanks.
Howdy……..I have really enjoyed the yarn keychains. Especially, when I learned that a stay-at-home mom was able to have a part-time job putting them together for us. If that situation is the same, I would be happy to pay a little more for my sock club membership to keep that job funded.
However, whatever your decision, my membership will definitely be renewed! Thank you,
Kaarenb, Portland, Oregon knitter
I like the swag in general and I Really like the yarn key chains. But maybe just one time during the year would be good. I like the idea of other weight yarn samples.
They are really cute but, like some others, I’m not really sure what to do with them. I wouldn’t mind if they were retired.
This year has been a lot of fun - and has taught me loads. Thank you so much! Christine
This is my first year too and the emergency keychains simply puzzled me. I would be fine without them, cute though they are. What I really enjoy are the dyer’s notes.
The emergency key chains are cute but I would be fine if they went away.
Hi,
So a few comments
1) I love the RSC and will be joining next year as long as I can rustle up the dough (or get it for Christmas)
2) I have actually never needed my mini skein… I actually think I have enough yarn leftovers to make a frankensock out of all my RSC 2009 skein leftovers.
3) I really like the idea of making out own mini skeins, I like to have them once the sock is dead and gone (alternately for darning). I also love the idea for an opt-in mini skein for those that really want it.
4) unlike everyone else (it seems) as much as I do love swag (yar, I be a sock pirate) I found the mini skins to be the most useful swag… if anything I’d cut out the stickers and the bracelet (which were adorable but I will never use). That being said, I’m super excited for the Special November swag and I LOVE Kelly’s idea about an emergency box or just more useful swag (I’m a poor grad student, I’d love a free crochet hook or a mini needle size card.)
5) Love RSC… will join again swag or no swag!
I like the key chains, but I could do without them. What I really like are the Dyer’s notes and the patterns and that they are printed in color on good quality paper. The photography in them really adds to the overall presentation and I really value that. I’m in for next year, with or without key chains.
I like the commentary from Tracey and Kelly… I love them (the Christmas Tree enjoys them too) but I’m sure their replacement would be just a cool. So, I’m firmly on the fence.
6) Rowan Can’t spell
7) I know some clubs have 2 size options where those with larger feet get a little extra yardage (It costs a little more but you get enough yarn for any sized feet… seriously, my man has size 12s and although his socks are much shorter than mine I have never run out of yarn on any of his socks… including socks I have made for him with my RSC shipments).
I think the mini skeins are awesome, but they’re something I can live without if it helps keep the cost of the club down. It’s the yarn, patterns and dyer’s notes that keep me coming back.
I think the key chains are adorable, never used them, I’ve always had lots of yarn to finish my socks.
I love the idea of a sock knitting kit or items related to sock knitting, after all we are Notorious Sock Knitters
I am in another club, that is very good, but they send all kinds of trinkets that are useless to me. My grandkids love it, but I would rather spend that money on yarn. So as long as any swag included was useful is good, but keep the toys.
I was very excited about them this 1st year. It is now year 3 for me and I don’t know what to do with them all. I have made garlands, placed them on my husband’s key ring just to freak him out. So the bottom line is I am fine without them.
I, too, think they’re cute. But I’ve never needed the extra yarn, always have plenty of remaining from the main skein (and am willing to share with those who run out), and the key chains are just prettifying my bulletinboard now (which is not a bad thing). I’ve wondered about the cost of making these, and would prefer that they not make the price for the club go up, or Tina’s profit go down.
Ditto on the cute factor, it is also nice to know what color I used for each sock since the socks get grabbed up by my darling daughter as soon as they come off the needles. So far I have not needed the yarn but it is nice to know you have it just in case.
This was also my first year in the Rockin Sock club and it has been a blast. I eagerly await each and every kit and truly appreciate all the time the team takes putting each kit together. Kudos for helping me keep my sanity!!
I also love them and would miss them but I would still join again even if they weren’t there . I would pay a bit extra to keep them
now that i have a couple of years worth of yarn keychains having them makes me feel rich, rich, rich! however, i certainly don’t need the keychains. and if it comes right down to it, i usually have enough yarn left over to make one if i really NEEDED one.
I do love the keychains, as they are one of my favorite parts of the kits, but like others have said - not a problem if they were to go away. I understand they must be time consuming and pricey. But I do adore them!
I could live without the keychains, although I do love the little emergency skeins. I keep them posted to remind me of the colors and socks I have!! but I could totally live without it.
I think the keychains are a great part of the kit. I could do without the stickers, bracelet, etc…only things I really like are the yarn, pattern, dyer’s notes, and the keychain. I like having the extra yarn for future use…as others have mentioned: darning and repairs.
Will I re-join if they’re discontinued? Certainly!
Would I pay extra to have them included? Of course!
My life feels cluttered enough with bits and pieces…I would not miss the extra clutter created by the skeins. The first time I saw one, I did think it was cute…they are really sweet miniatures but for what purpose? I wouldn’t miss them. I would rather things be useful like the patterns, the main event yarn, the dyer’s notes. My favourite swag was the sweetheart candy…that was useful!
It is one of my most favorite parts of the kits. I would be sad if it went away. And, if it did go away, would the cost of the club go down?
That would be fine.
Can live without, but can’t live without the yarn and patterns!!!
I have liked the mini skeins, but my notebook is now pretty full of them. Like others, I live for and love the dyer’s notes. I always sit down and read them first before even looking at the pattern.
I had no idea ’swag’ would be a part of the club, I joined for the yarn, the patterns and camp. Now I’m hooked (needled?), and look forward to whatever cute giftie you put in.
I don’t need any more keychains, so I would not be upset in the least bit, but for new members, they might like just one for giggles?
I have had to use the emergency mini skeins a couple of times to complete socks in the kit patterns, so I would miss them. I also think that they are a nice reminder of the yarn for kit socks that I have given away as gifts so I’m in the keep-them-if-we-can camp. However, I understand if they are cost prohibitive and need to go away. I’d rather have the mini skeins than most of the other swag though as they have sometimes been very useful indeed.
I could live without the keychains - they’re cute, but I don’t ever use them for anything. I agree with Kelly and really like the idea of swag that would accumulate throughout the year into a useful “kit”.
I love the keychains. I am a total swag-atic. That said, I can live without a lot of things as long as I continue to have your wonderful yarn to knit with! This was my first year as a member of the club and receiving the packages make my entire week.
I like them but I would be kinda excited to make my own. I always have a bit of yarn left that probably won’t be used for anything. Either way I’m in for next year!
I think they are cute - I have them clipped to a page in my notebook. I haven’t really used them for anything. When I first joined the club, I clipped them to my knitting bag, but they started getting fuzzy and yucky looking, so I keep them as mementos with my patterns and dyers notes.
I will be rejoining regardless of whether they stay or not. The little extras are cute, but honestly, I don’t really need any of the stickers or bracelets, etc. I come for the SOCKS!
I love our little keychains, but I will remain in the club with or without them. As for having extra yarn to darn with, according to my “Darn It” workshop I took at SS09, I should NOT darn with the same yarn anyway! Fun to have them, but I won’t die if I have to go without. Kinda fun though, since I have every keychain I’ve gotten hanging from a rack of yarn-and that would be every club yarn since I’ve been in from the start!
I’m fine with whatever you want to do. I usually have left over yarn with which I COULD make my own emergency skeins. not likely, but I could…
I personally just like getting the “package” itself with the wonderful present for ME ME ME
This is my first year in the sock club, and I absolutely LOVE the little keychain yarn. I would be sad to see them go. A keychain emergency sock club is a great idea! If you did away with the keychain as a part of the club, I would pay a little extra to be part of a keychain sock club.
OK, my 2 cents worth - What about the person who makes the keychains. That would be another job lost. I happen to like the keychains and remember a conversation about them before pertaining to the job factor. Keep the little skeins I say. Also, I like that you have guest designers for the patterns. I hope to stay with the club another year.
Keychains? Love ‘em!
They are my remembrances after the socks are all gone. I keep them in a covered glass ginger jar, where they don’t get yucky.
I, too, worry about the stay-at-home mom who made them for us. So few opportunities to be home with your children when they need you. Don’t make more victims of this horrible economy. I’d be happy to do without other extras.
I love yarn that’s on the keychains, but don’t need the metal clip. Knowing that I have an extra few yards of yarn has taken the stress out of knitting the last few rows of that second toe.
They are also wonderful reminders when reminiscing of socks past.
Sorry I’m so tardy–yes, I would miss the key chain–it’s a bit of a totum, notch on the handle, mark on the bedpost–whatever, for me!
SIGH! I would so miss the key chains as I think they are just adorable (and, like a previous writer, I had mine hooked on my purse for an extended period of time until I noticed that they were showing definite wear and tear. And I really like the Christmas ornament idea).
However, the key chains are not what I subscribed for. I just think that they are clever swag. And, they do generate some word-of-mouth publicity (so think of clever swag that we can carry with our knitting as a replacement…so all our knitterly friends will ask…and subscribe the following year!)
I also like the idea of the “two sizes” sock club. Not that the skeins aren’t generous, but I would like to be able to knit taller socks for some patterns.
I’d rather have a less expensive club than yarn keychains! They are cute, but I’m not going to make mini socks, so I’m not sure what to do with them? Maybe one day when I make my left over sock yarn blankie, they’ll find a home there.
As a 1st year club member, I love the little keychains. They are so unique to the club. But my practical side says cut costs if you may, but I’d pay a bit more if needed. Losing them certainly won’t sway me from signing up for a 2nd year. Maybe there is cost effective alternative.
While swag is a nice perk, and the keychains are very cute, I too am in it for the yarns & patterns. I’ve been able to make the choice every year to treat myself to one of the more expensive sock clubs out there (worth it in my opinion! but I do have to count my coin jar when each sign-up comes ’round), so if it would really affect the bottom line, I could live without. Indeed, rarely do I use up the WHOLE skein on my socks, so I could make my own, I don’t know if others could.
I enjoy the mini-skein keychains, but I can live without them. One thing I do like about them is that you can see how the colors will look wound up in a yarn cake before I wind my yarn, but once I wind it, I can see that. If leaving them out, but keeping other swag-type stuff in will reduce the cost or keep the cost the same, I’m happy to kick the mini-skein to the curb. I have a collection of them playing together in a big glass jar. It’s certainly nice to look at, but I’m not sure what else I would do with them and I have plenty of them now.
I enjoy the Dyer’s Notes first and foremost, and then after reading them, I appreciate the color and the pattern even more. What makes it a special club is this blog, chatting about the yarn, pattern, etc. on Ravelry, and the charm of STR yarn and the amazing colors we get to experience first before everyone else. I’m all for having useful swag in the packages as it’s been mentioned in other comments.
I vote with Kelly (very well-said). Nice, but not necessary & lots of other fun sock-related swag options out there that might be more cost-effective.
I love the keychains and would miss them. They’re a neat reminder of the socks if you give the socks away.
I like the keychains but I can live without them too. We could make our own after we knit the socks if we really want them.
I can certainly live without most of the keychains… my problem is that I have big feet, and have sometimes needed just those few yards to make the socks work. I’d like to see a big-foot version of the sock club for maybe $10-$20 extra so the size 11s & 12s feel secure with their knitting. Also, I’d like to see more nearly solid colors to show off the beautiful patterns - sometimes the stripes & pools hide the intricacy of the knitting.
Hi Tina,
I am a little late on replying to this thread. Here are my thoughts. I totally dig the keychains, but would not be heartbroken if they were not included next year. I think other more cost-effective swag would be totally awesome. That or more contests. I was a little bummed out that we only had one contest this year (unless I missed the others).
This was my first year in the club and I loved the yarn and patterns. It forced me to step out of my comfort zone and learn new things.
Thank you and Happy Thanksgiving!
Becky
I’ve only just now checked in for the first time in several months and wanted to offer my honest reaction. This is my third year in the club. Last year the binders were dropped and a whole lot of silly tchatchkes were sent in their place; now there’s talk of dropping the emergency keychains. In my opinion, the distinguishing features of this club over others, beyond obviously the yarn and patterns, were the notebooks and the emergency keychains.
I’m sorry the bottom line is being cut into and clearly business decisions must be made that favor staying viable. But from my perspective, the parts of the club that have made it the notorious, uber fun sock club are being whittled away one at a time.
I would really encourage Blue Moon to consider doing away with all swag OTHER than the binder OR the emergency key chain to cut costs but without either of those two, I think you’re disposing of some of your most compelling brand identifiers.
they are cute, but not essential. Whatever is easiest and most cost effecient is fine w/ me
I think they are cute but now feel like I have enough of them after 3 years… Love the club and think the pattern and yarn are the essentials. However, I also adore the extra surprises. They make it extra special. Perhaps something else could be included. Not as costly or time consuming to make.
I would really, really miss them, but it would not stop me from joining again. This was my first year and I could hardly stand the anticipation when each shipment date came closer. There have been colors and patterns that took me away from my comfort zone, and I have LOVED it. Would it help if you didn’t send the ring, but just the yarn? But if you need to, cut them out.
This is my first year in the club, and as far as doing away with the emergency keychains, all I must say is Do What You Gotta Do.
I love them, and think they are a cute addition and I have this year’s keychains above the mantle, but I understand they are expensive.
If it will help, I think it’s fine to do away with them. We can always make our own if we think it’s necessary!
Although I’m late in answering, I would like to add my two cents. I love my little key chains! I am not above making my own out of leftovers from my skein but the little labels and rings maybe be as much of a fiscal burden as the key chains themselves. I do think they are part of what makes the Rockin’ Sock Club rock as hard as it does. Mayhaps an option in the sign-ups to chose to pay (or not)for the key chains? I’ll be back again next year one way or the other because ultimately it’s the yarn and the notes and the patterns that I’m here for!
Sock on!
Amy
Though I am really late in answering, I would prefer to see the yardage in each skein increased from its approximate 360 yards. As I tend to knit the larger sizes, I find less enjoyment in knitting socks if I think I do not have enough yarn. I would like to see 400 yards in a skein.
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