Sock Yarn Clubs

As the postman delivered yet another Priority Mail box to my doorstep today, I realized that 2007 is the Year of the Sock Club. Somehow or other - for, as you know, I've yet to finish knitting a wearable pair...though I am very close...really - I've signed up for five sock yarn clubs. Ironic? And, more pressing, how did it happen? I put it down to the following reasons:

1. I love hand-dyed yarn.
2. I love getting stuff in the mail. Especially hand-dyed yarn.
3. I love a good theme.
4. Some day soon the mischievous Sockie shall sprinkle me with pixie dust, and I shall be the stuff of sock knitting legend.
5. I can, from time to time, be somewhat delusional.

Rockin' Sock Club from Blue Moon Fiber Arts

Cost: $210 for six installments ($35/installment)
Reason for joining: Being part of the STR experience.
Pros: The STR experience is amazing. The club-centric yarn colorways and the patterns written expressly for the sock club yarns by known designers make this club a class act. Throw in the binder you receive with your first yarn, along with the obligatory swag (a bumper sticker and a 10% off coupon and a website for club members), and you're not only a satisfied customer, you're part of a community.
Cons: The website. It's tricky to navigate. Plus, chicken humor? Not my scene.
Personal thoughts: Yep, I'm satisfied. I'm also hoping for less shtick, brighter colorways in the months to come.
Would I join again? Maybe, but probably not.

Mama E's C*Eye*ber Fiber Project Spectrum Sock Club

Cost: $110 for four installments ($27.50/installment)
Reason for joining: Project Spectrum
Pros: Groovy PS colorways in different Mama E sock yarns

Cons: The first yarn arrived very late; late enough that I felt that disappointment you have when you're eagerly anticipating something and it doesn't happen...for a month and a half. It took Erin a long time to answer my e-mail inquiries, too, but she finally did, and the yarn finally arrived, and I finally shut up about it. And my second colorway arrived just fine.
Personal thoughts: Bare bones. It's a hand-dyed experience, but not really much of a club per se, as you receive only yarn.
Would I join again? Once is enough.

Yarntini Sock Club from Pure Knits

Cost: $175 for three installments ($58.33/installment)
Reason for joining: Yarntini
Pros: Yarntini
Cons: I knew going into this one that the high price tag was problematical - at this cost my expectations were decidedly high - but I went ahead and did it anyway. And, upon receiving my first package, I'm kinda sorry I did .
Personal thoughts: I feel like such a grouch, as other friends are really happy with their packages. But honestly, I feel gypped. Though the color coordinated package looks nice altogether, the colorway is a total snore compared to (most of) Jessie's other colorways. The accompanying stitch markers are cheap. My Misocrafty bag came with a dirty brown smear on it. (what's up with that? especially since there wasn't chocolate in the box...ewww) I was hoping for a hip and trendy unique pattern or two (Cookie!), and instead got a four-year old book I already have. See, grouchy and grossed out over unknown stainage.
Would I join again? Unless the two remaining installments make up for it in a big way, nope.

Seasonal Sock Club from the Loopy Ewe

Cost: Billed quarterly for four installments; $37.05/summer
Reason for joining: Sheri rocks
Pros: Great yarn, great swag - score!
Cons: None
Personal thoughts: I received my first package today, and it made me jump up and down in glee. Fun summery theme? Check. Cool yarn? Sock weight All Things Heather in superwash merino/bamboo/nylon in a kicky colorway. Check. Swag? An awesome Loopy Ewe project tote, a unique sock pattern from Wildhorse Farm Designs, a bar of lemon scented soap from the Soap Plantation shaped like a sheep (baaaa), a silly poem and some lemonade (Kool-Aid hee) and Hershey's Kisses. Check. All in all great fun, and I'm looking forward to my fall package already.
Would I join again? In a red hot second.

A Sock for All Seasons Yarn Club from Yarn Tree
Cost: $250 for six installments ($42/installment)
Reason for joining: Amazing dyers on the roster
Personal thoughts: This club doesn't start until October, but I'm salivating already over the hand-dyers they have lined up: Cheryl Schaefer from Schaefer Yarn; Darlene Hayes from Hand Jive; Nancy Finn from Chasing Rainbows; Lori Lawson from Capistrano Fibert Arts; and Katey Plymesser from Thirteen Mile Lamb and Wool Co. Amazing, eh? AND registration is open until June 15th, if you care to join, too! You, me, Sockie...what could be better?