There are so many things you can do with Socktoberfest! 

Socktoberfest Sales and Specials

Several vendors and shop owners have donated skeins of their sock yarn for the Socktoberfest prizes (October 31st for the drawings!) Some have also mentioned that they will offer discounts on certain yarns for anyone who is a Socktoberfest participant! Some of the details are still being worked out with some vendors, but if you have a shop and are interested in donating a prize (anything sock related: needles, yarn, sock bags, pattern books) please let me know.  I have received some very generous offers, and I am going through the list to confirm the donations.  More will be announced very soon!

Some of the specials I know about:

**(updated 10.04.06!) Pick Up Sticks is offering a 10% discount to all Socktoberfest participants.  Simply enter Socktoberfest in the Comments section of your order upon check out.  When the order is processed Connie will refund 10% of the purchase (excluding shipping and taxes)back to your paypal account.  Pick Up Sticks is a Canadian online shop and prices are in Canadian dollars which makes this an even better deal for U.S. customers.

**(udpated 10.06.06) http://www.yarn4socks.com is giving a 15% off all merchandise to Socktoberfest participants with the coupon code SOCKT06. Yarn4socks.com is a online store dedicated to sock yarn for every taste and budget.

Help Cat Bordhi Research Her New Book (added 10.3.06)

Cat Bordhi, author of several knitting books, including Socks Soar on Two Circular Needles, is collecting measurements and data for her next book.  Here's how you can help her!  Measure your feet (and your family members' feet!) and send her the numbers! 

After you measure your feet, be sure to email Cat at the email address listed!  Many thanks to Ann for posting this Socktoberfest-related information!  Great tip off!

• Interested in making socks for charity?

The Dulaan Project

"Knitting to Warm Mongolia" is the Dulaan Project's tagline.  They accept all kinds of knit donations, and socks are among the items listed.  Dulaan Project's deadline has already passed this year, but donations for next year are accepted and welcomed.  Many of the items go to children.  Ryan of Mossy Cottage Knits, one of the Dulaan coordinators, is taking names of commited crafters who plan to donate at least 5 items to the Dulaan 2007 effort  (2 socks/1 pair = 1 item).

The Preemie Project 

A project started by Laura, an Iowa-based blogger.  The project works specifically to clothe babies born prematurely.  They accept all sorts of baby items; however, the most pertinent to Socktoberfest are the baby booties and socks that are needed for the hundreds of preemies born in the hospitals.  Please see the website for more details about what kinds of yarns are acceptable, as well as the sizes needed.  This project is a perfect way to use up small sock yarn leftovers for a wonderful cause.  There are many patterns available in books and free online for baby socks and booties. 

Children in Common (CIC)

Children in Common began in 1992 as a support group for families adopting from Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union. Shortly after it began, CIC started sending relief supplies to the orphanages in these countries. All knitted items for children are accepted, and socks are one of the major items needed.  There is a very active Yahoo Group with more information on knitting-related relief efforts for CIC.

Alternative Gift Fair

Alexis is participating in a fair in Portland, Oregon, and is accepting knitted donations.  What is an alternative gift fair?  Hosting an Alternate Gift Fair is a positive holiday experience you can bring to your entire local community – a fun way to bypass the annual stress of holiday shopping and "stuff" accumulation while honoring friends and relatives with donations to causes that fit their values. Sounds great!

I will gladly add more charitable links if you know of an organization that accepts socks/booties for charity purposes.

• Interested in joining some other knitalongs that are sock-related?

First Time Sock Knitters Knitalong (added: 10.04.06)

Felicia is running the Yahoo group for first-time sock knitters.  It is a great forum for any new sock knitter to check out!  Membership is open to anyone who wants to learn to knit socks, or help others.

My First Toe-Ups Knitalong

Started by OzKnitter and Rebecca at Socks-for-Mum, this knitalong offers some tutorials, and lots of tips on patterns and techniques for toe-up socks.  Perfect for first-time sock knitters.  I am hoping that they will continue this KAL after Socktoberfest, as I have not tried toe-up socks yet, and would love to learn (but my plate is too full now!)

Please let me know if you have started a group around Socktoberfest, and I will mention it here.

Chuck's Cable Socks Knitalong (added 10.04.06)

Bettina started this knitalong for Eunny's cabled sock pattern.  You want cables?  Get them here!

Contest Opportunities

Petra at Woll Normal, who was also a Socktoberfest participant last year, started a sock design contest!  It all started when she saw the Socktoberfest button that Carole created.

Design your own Witch Socks!  Check out Petra's blog for more details (auf Deutsch and in English!)

Keep your eyes on this post (on the sidebar)! New Socktoberfest opportunities, projects, contests, and specials will be announced here throughout the whole month! :) 

PS–I have received many emails and comments asking how to download a Socktoberfest button to your blog or website.  Instead of writing back each person individually, I will direct you to Missa's tutorial, where she outlines how to download buttons, and avoid bandwidth theft.  Very helpful and informative!

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