Weekly Affirmation: City of Craft
Posted: 07/12/2012 Filed under: SWmain Leave a commentEvery Thursday we post a comment, tweet, email or secret message we’ve received from one of our Soakworthy customers (stores, fans, consumers, friends). Sometimes, on a rough day, it’s really helpful to read an inspiring message from someone in our community. Someone who appreciates what we do. Someone who is as passionate about Soak as we are. We appreciate all the love that comes our way. Really we do.
If you are looking for something to do this weekend in Toronto, you should check out City of Craft! It is a great craft show with lots of local talent. The Workroom will have some Soakboxes there if you are looking to pick one up!
Becky is one of the organizers of City of Craft. She sent us this email a few weeks ago. Sad to hear that you ran out!
“Wanna know something? I thought of you constantly on my trip to Germany last month. I ran out of Soak and realized how essential it is to me when I travel. And you can quote me on that!
Becky”
p.s. Don’t forget that our free shipping event for continental US and Canada runs until December 11. That’s next week! Get your orders in!
Questions
Posted: 04/12/2012 Filed under: SWmain 2 CommentsWe are going to be doing a Questions and Answers post next week for our Soakboxes. Do you have any questions you would like answered? Leave a note in the comments and we will do our best to answer it!
Soakbox Knit-A-Long: Matching Knits and Nails
Posted: 03/12/2012 Filed under: Design, Knitting, SWmain, SWsoak 1 CommentOver the next few weeks we are running a knit-a-long for the four patterns in our Soakboxes. We will be posting detailed information on each of the patterns as well as fun things you can do with your Soakboxes for yourself, as a gift and as a group. You can order a kit from us directly, just click on the link on the right, or you can ask for it by name from your local yarn store. May your hands be soft, fibers fresh and nails match your knits!
We have seen a few posts floating around talking about matching knits to nails over the last few months. Naturally we thought it was high time for us to put out our own list of favourite nail trends and matching knits!
I fell in love with these simple rainbow fingerless mitts by Elise Dupont quite a while ago. The pattern is available in french from the online magazine In The Loops, or as an english as a ravelry download. They are such a great showcase for little bits of colour. Similarly, the rainbow French Tips that Jennifer of Fab Fatale posted are a great way to push the nail trend without committing to something too complicated. 
How cute is the Honors Geometry cowl by Katie Canavan?! The colour combinations for this are endless. I love how it looks in the bright colours, but wouldn’t it look fabulous in neutrals as well? The triangle look is a perfect match for the triangle nail tutorial I found. It’s not in English, but the photos are very clear on how to get the triangle effect.
The tagline for these nails was Aztec, but I think most knitters agree that they look more like a colourwork sweater! These nails are certainly something to aspire to, I can’t imagine the patience required, but they do look like a lot of fun. I had a lot of fun looking at different colour combinations of Ann Weaver’s Oranje cardican on Ravelry. In the end I went with her original sweater from the pattern photos. The pop of orange is so much fun.

Of course, nail polish is only the beginning of things you can do on your nails. Nail decals are a fun alternative to having high detail without the worry of making a mistake. They go on like temporary tattoos. It would be so much fun to pair Natalie Selles’ Oh Deer! mittens with these deer decals from JsUtopia. There a lots of decal options out there, so the pairing options are endless. 
The ombre trend has been all over recently. Knitting and nails are only the tip of the iceberg. I love this simple cardigan by Tanis Lavallee. I love how Julie’s Ombre moves from brown to red, and would look great with almost any combination of colours. 
Of course we have to include something about Soakboxes as well! A solid nail matched with a solid yarn is an easy and fun way to get matchy. It’s also the easiest to change almost as often as you change your mittens.
Do you have any favourite nail and knitting combinations? Share them in the comments!
P.S. Don’t forget, we’ve still got free shipping going on for continental US and Canada until December 11! Order your Soak products today!
Weekly Affirmation: Dirty Dainties
Posted: 27/11/2012 Filed under: SWmain Leave a commentEvery Thursday we post a comment, tweet, email or secret message we’ve received from one of our Soakworthy customers (stores, fans, consumers, friends). Sometimes, on a rough day, it’s really helpful to read an inspiring message from someone in our community. Someone who appreciates what we do. Someone who is as passionate about Soak as we are. We appreciate all the love that comes our way. Really we do.
Here at Soak we know how exhausting a tradeshow can be. We totally understand how Mickey felt over the summer after a long day of set up. Thanks for the review Mickey!
“I was at a trade show when this was launched. It was a hot, dusty day for set up and we got dirty down to our undies. We were given samples and went back to our rooms to rest and take showers. I put Soak in the hotel sink to wash the dainties…and stared in disbelief as I washed the clothes! Clean!!!This is a great product! I use it for my hand wash only garments as well as my knits.”
Did you know that you can find Soak at Sears Canada stores and The Shopping Channel? We found this review of Soak on The Shopping Channel website. It is great to hear that people are finding our products though a variety of venues. If you order from either of those companies, don’t forget to leave a review! We will be going back to The Shopping Channel after the holidays with new sets in January. In the mean time, don’t forget that we have free shipping on our site until December 11!
Free Shipping!
Posted: 26/11/2012 Filed under: Business, Craft, Knitting, SWevents, SWmain, SWpromotions Leave a commentWe would usually have a Soakbox post here, but we are interrupting our schedule to tell you about something very exciting that will certainly help with Soakbox knitting. We are offering free shipping to Canada and the continental US starting today until December 11. All orders received by us by midnight on December 11 will be shipped out to you in time for Christmas.
From Soakboxes to minisoaks, we’ve got lots of choices. Don’t forget to check last weeks gift guide if you are stuck for ideas!
If you are looking to order your Soakboxes or other Soak products in person, you can check out the list of retailers on our website to see which shops near you carry our products.
Weekly Affirmation: Sneaky Soakbox
Posted: 22/11/2012 Filed under: SWmain Leave a commentEvery Thursday we post a comment, tweet, email or secret message we’ve received from one of our Soakworthy customers (stores, fans, consumers, friends). Sometimes, on a rough day, it’s really helpful to read an inspiring message from someone in our community. Someone who appreciates what we do. Someone who is as passionate about Soak as we are. We appreciate all the love that comes our way. Really we do.
We found this little post about Soakboxes in a forum a few weeks ago. Thanks Laurette!
“I got to wander Carytown which is one of my favorite areas, and visit the yarn store. I got some super soft yummy Malabrigo yarn to make mitts and a head band with, and while it was being wound, David was a sneaky sneak and bought me a SoakBox, which is a set of yarn, pattern, nail pollish, hand lotion, and knit wear wash that all match up. I’d wanted the one he got me FOREVER. http://www.soakwash.com/soakboxes.html He got me the Lace Kelly one. I was so excited and the ladies at the store kept saying that he’s a real keeper.”
Happy Thanksgiving
Posted: 21/11/2012 Filed under: Knitting, SWmain | Tags: cyber monday, holiday, Knitting, sales, thanksgiving, turkey Leave a comment…to all our friends and family celebrating this week. We wish you a safe and prosperous transition into the holiday season. Watch for holiday specials, promotions and treats in the coming days.
Soakbox Knit-A-Long: Roundup!
Posted: 21/11/2012 Filed under: SWmain Leave a commentOver the next few weeks we are running a knit-a-long for the four patterns in our Soakboxes. We will be posting detailed information on each of the patterns as well as fun things you can do with your Soakboxes for yourself, as a gift and as a group. You can order a kit from us directly, just click on the link on the right, or you can ask for it by name from your local yarn store. May your hands be soft, fibers fresh and nails match your knits!
We have been running this knit-a-long for a few weeks now, so we thought it was high time that we checked in to see how you were doing. We looked around on Ravelry and found some great examples of Soakboxes out in the wild. Don’t forget to post your photos and link your projects, maybe we will pick yours next time. How is your Soakbox knitting going?
It may have been a totally coincidence, but we love how maniacknitter was able to match her needle and the yarn for her Lace Kellys as well!

She posted such a great shot of the thumb increases.
mlfrench‘s photo of her Clark Cable‘s show off the colour so well. It is such a great deep red. And I love the texture of the seed stitch in the middle of the diamonds.

krazyknittingal got her Cuff Au Lait Soakbox at Rhinebeck. Looks like she picked up a Jennie the Potter mug as well. What a cozy picture! 
Weekly Affirmation: In Poetry
Posted: 15/11/2012 Filed under: SWmain, Testimonials Leave a commentEvery Thursday we post a comment, tweet, email or secret message we’ve received from one of our Soakworthy customers (stores, fans, consumers, friends). Sometimes, on a rough day, it’s really helpful to read an inspiring message from someone in our community. Someone who appreciates what we do. Someone who is as passionate about Soak as we are. We appreciate all the love that comes our way. Really we do.
Kay Gardiner is one half of Mason-Dixon Knitting, a fabulous knitting blog. We love the little poem she tweeted after Rhinebeck! Thanks Kay!
Kay Gardiner (@KayGardiner)
12-10-18 12:05 PM
Wet wool smells quite…sheepy
It isn’t a joke
If you want to smell purty
Don’t forget to use Soak. #notapaidendorsement #RhineBlock
Soak Holiday Gift Guide
Posted: 14/11/2012 Filed under: SWmain 3 CommentsLately we have been talking so much about Soakboxes, the rest of our Soak family started to feel left out! Keeping in the theme of last weeks knit-a-long post about Soakbox gift ideas, we thought it would be fun to talk about some other great Soak themed gifts.
Of course there is the gift of our regular Soak bottles. We already know how much those who knit, sew, crochet and quilt love our wash. It is also a great gift for non-crafters who appreciate fine clothes and lingerie. I will be giving a bottle to my uncle this year, as he accidentally felted a scarf I knit for my cousin a few years ago. No excuses now!
All four of our scents come in 14 oz and 3 oz bottles. The large size is great for a dedicated crafter, while the 3 oz size is perfect for travellers or to try out a new scent.
As a bonus for the holidays we are making a gift pack of our 3 oz Soak and Handmaid bottles. The pack will have one bottle of each in one scent, all tied up with a pretty bow. We are calling them twosomes! You can find the twosome option for each scent under the Soakbox category on the website.
My favourite gift for this year is probably going to be the Minisoaks. I plan on slipping one into everyone’s stocking. They are also a great addition to a handmade or delicate care gift. We put so much care and time into making these gifts, it makes sense to give the gift of good garment care as well! The packs of 12 or 50 assorted minisoaks are great for mixing and matching.
We also have sample sizes of our cucumber Heel. It would make a great addition to a pair of socks.
Our Labels of Love would also make a great stocking stuffer for a maker in your life. However, they might come in handy to put on your handmade item before you give it away. Having the care instructions written on the label means that your precious gifts have a better chance of not getting thrown in the machine by an unsuspecting relative. Each pack includes 12 care labels and 4 sayings. 
I grabbed a little bit of extra yarn we had lying around and made this cute little pack. You could easily wrap it up both up as an easy hostess gift.
We love the bright colours of our Carrie and Phil bins. They work perfectly for washing out delicates with Soak, but they also make for great storage. The bright colours would fit right in as a toy bin in a kids room, great for hats and mitts by the door, or to hold your yarn and fabric stash. The handles mean that they are easy to move from room to room. Great for crafters and kids on the go!

We just released a new design of our Stick and Soak Temporary Tattoos. We got great feedback about what you liked and didn’t like about the tattoos, and then made them even better.
What is on your list of gifts to give and receive?












