I'm so sorry to hear that the drop out rate was so high! i'm proud to report that I was a very happy recipient and giver of socks. It much be hard trying to manage people who are suppose to be 'secret'. thank you again for your efforts. this was my first swap and I thoughly enjoyed it.

I just wanted to let you know that I haven't seen or heard anything from my pal yet. I know that sometimes packages can take forever to get to my neck of the woods, so I'm just interested in knowing if they're on their way or not.

Thanks for doing a fabulous job with this swap, Alison!

Hi Alison,

I haven't received my socks yet, but my pal contacted me twice to inform me of a delay. I hope they'll find their way some day.

Beate

I got my socks this week from Penny. I was SO lucky to have Penny as a pal, as she sent me TWO pairs of socks! Thanks Penny! And thank you Alison for organizing such a great swap. I sent my socks to Jo, but have yet to hear from her if they made it all the way to New Zeland.

I have not received my socks. I did hear from my pal around the time they were due that he hoped to have them to me by the end of Sept. I haven't heard anything since then.

If you want to contact me, I might have just the thing to help out a "sockless" pal.

This was great fun, and I hope you won't let a few spoilers ruin it for you. Could you also send me your address? Thanks!

The drop-out rate is a shame... the sockapalooza was so much fun! I met tons of nice people through this event.
By the way, my pal received her socks a little while ago, I posted it on my blog. I didn't receive my socks yet, but German mail can be really really slow sometimes, so I'll keep waiting.
Alison, you did a great job organizing the whole thing!!

So sorry to hear about the high drop-out rate. I wasn't able to participate this time because of finances, but if you have another go-around, I hope to be able to join in.

So get your butts in gear, folks, and get those socks sent in!!!

I'm a recent sock-a-holic on 2 circ's and doing research on Socks that Rock yarn (oh my) found your blog. Being an organiser of a group thing (back-tack) I totally hear your frustration with drop outs. I don't know a way around it. We played a little more hard ball this time. Good luck and I'll keep my eyes peeled for the next sockapalooza :)

Hey Alison - just wanted to say that even though I've never heard from my sock pal or received any socks, I would be the first one in line to sign up for round 3. I had SUCH a GREAT time knitting for my own pal - and she was so grateful for the socks, I almost don't care that I may never get a pair.

Oh and with that drop out rate - if you need another angel, you can put me on the list. But I don't want to knit socks for myself! ;-)

I'msorry the drop-out rate was so high. I will be among the first people to sign up when/if round three is announced.

I had such a fun time knitting the socks I sent to Carol, and the socks I received from Louisa are absolutely stunning (and extraordinarily comfortable too!!!).

Maybe next time limit those who can sign up tp those that didn't drop out in one of the first two rounds??

Thanks Alison for organizing such a fun exchange.

I wonder if there is a way to prevent drop-outs.. maybe some sort of selection process.. like only knitters with active blogs, or only those who have successfully participated in the past?

I was just about to send you a message to ask if you are planning a third exchange. I would like to join the fun next time. I'm so sorry that some have been unable to finish their pal's socks and send them. If you need extra socks for those who don't receive their sock gifties, I would like to contribute. I just finished a cute pair for size 9/10, or I can whip up a pair in about a week. Please put my name on your list.
Katherine

Oh, i am sorry to hear that the drop rate was so high. :( too bad, I am still hoping to do another sock swap. :) I loved making my socks and now that I have found new ways besides dpns, I am itching to make socks! i hope that everyone swaps well.... perhaps the drop rate is because of the large # of "natural" events this summer? fires, floods, storms? just a thought.

I am sorry to hear that the drop out rate was so high ... I was really hoping to join in on the next swap. Fingers crossed that everything is sorted out so that Sockapalooza v.3 can proceed.

Let me know if you need another sock angel. I can knit more socks for those who haven't received theirs.

I'm pretty sure I commented or emailed you -- I blogged about my socks from Joan in Boston, and my sock pal Marlana got hers from me, too!

Also, if you need another angel, I can come up with a pair of socks pretty fast. I hate that so many people dropped out, and I'm looking forward to Sock-a-pal3za like everyone else!!

Thanks everyone for the new updates and offers to be sock saviors! I get discouraged each week as I check for pals who have written to me and find that their pal is someone I haven't heard from ever, who has stopped blogging, and whose email doesn't work anymore. Of course some drop-out are to be expected and there are lots of generous pals out there ready to knit make-up socks, but 60 people is too many to make up for. If the drop-out rate gets back down to 10% or so, I can live with that.

Diana, I was thinking of something like you suggest. Perhaps if I required people to name a back-up knitter who would knit for them if they drop-out? What do you think about that?

I will knit socks for anyone who's sock pal flakes on them. I'd like to see this swap continue because it was a total blast (I'm a new knitter, I'd never done a swap before!)! My sock pal Carrie and I are even real pals now... :D

I know organizing something like this has to be a lot of work but I, for one, really appreciate it. Just let me know if there's something I can do to make it a better experience for everyone, yourself included.

I'm looking forward to participating in #3 if it comes along. Too bad there isn't a way to check someone's honesty rating or knitting credit score to be sure they'll be a good risk for permitting into the exchange. I know some people are probably really really disappointed if they don't get their socks but like Cara said, it's so fun to make someone else a pair of socks (or whatever gift) and enjoy their anticipation and the fun they have when they're received. Of course there's the "if you don't do what you should, you can't participate again" rule.... I would assume.

Alison,
You do such a great job organizing and putting your heart into it that it's a shame when people don't come through on a commitment. I have had no work from my sockpal whether she received the socks I sent or whether she liked them or they fit. It would be great to know that they were at least received. Other than that, it's such a fun project....

So sorry to hear about the drop out rate, too. I was so hoping to join the next round. Do you have to have a blog to join? I am planning to start a blog soon about knitting/spinning, but I need to upgrade my camera first. You really are my knitting/blogging inspiration! I look forward everyday to reading your words!! Lori

Hi Alison,
Please add me to your list of knitters who will make up the sock deficit. This exchange was so much fun, it would be a shame if someone was disappointed because of a few bad apples.Thank you for all your time and energy you put into this - I'm looking forward to Round 3 !
Regina

I agree with others who have commented on what a great job you've done. I wasn't able to participate this time but I had been hoping you'd host another one.

Perhaps one idea to make you life a little easier might be to have a few assistants who could help with the tracking down/following up portions of the knit along.

Hang in there, even if you decide not to do another one I think I can speak for others when I say that we've all enjoyed reading about and/or participating in these previous ones. Thanks.

Thanks for organizing this gigantic project! I didn't leave a comment last week, but I haven't gotten my socks or heard from her yet. I know Marie-France got the socks I knit for her...

It has been fun to watch socks get completed!

I'm as dissappointed in the drop-out rate as everyone else. It sours the experience for everyone when people don't finish or at least contact their pals to let them know that they will be late or unable to finish.

I've been part of both swaps and loved every minute of both of them: watching everyone else's socks as they formed, puzzling over which yarn and pattern to use for my own pal, hoping she would love the end result, getting a beautiful pair in the mail, finding out that my pal got hers and loves them just as much. I also feel like I know a whole group of knitters much better now and have new friends to show for the experience. Many, many thanks to you, Alison, for putting all of this together.

thanks again alison for such a fun event. let me know if you need a sock angel, i am more than willing to step in and help.

I'll be happy to help the sockless if necessary--just let me know!

Thanks for posting that note to Annie. :) Hopefully she sends that address soon. Also, I have not received my socks yet either. But that's okay. I don't mind waiting if my sockpal is still knitting them. :)

And last but not least, I wanted to volunteer to be a substitute sock knitter. Just let me know if you need my needles! :D

Love the socks you made up for Carola! The close up pic she posted of the short row heel ... you are THE Shortrow Heel Goddess! Wow. Perfect.

Just letting you know my sockpal has been in touch and still working on my socks. =))

Have a great day!

I'm also going to step up and offer up a pair of socks for someone who got the shaft in this. I, like many who have already said so, loved this swap (I was in the first one too)
Also like many others, I have not heard from my recipient at all. And she is blogless. Its disappointing enough to hear that many ladies have dropped the ball, but equally sad that some have not come out and given their pal a thank you, or how about a 'they arrived'.
Speaking of, is there any correlation between those who didnt follow through and those who have not come out to let their pals know socks arrived?

as for the next one and weeding out the bad apples...Although the idea of only allowing those who have successfully participated already is a good one, it might exclude some great people.
Perhaps, and its not a total fix, break up the large group into smaller groups with a "mom" to check in on the participants. People that dont respond to the check ins get moved off the list, their knitter will be informed not to send them socks, and the intended recipient could be paired with another or an angel. Not a perfect fix, but may help.

/rambling over :)

I'm still willing to knit a pair to make up for the drop-outs. One suggestion I have that may limit the drop-out rate in future events is to not allow anyone who has dropped out of the first two to sign up for another one? It may be a bit harsh, but if they've demonstrated that they can't be counted on to follow through, it may be a viable option.

I agree with Cara - I didn't receive my socks but I had so much fun knitting for my pal that I don't mind at all.

I had to laugh at your backup knitter idea, I was envisioning my family members all tangled in yarn trying to make something even resembling socks.

Funny how these busy drop-outs were able to sign up in the limited sign up period, measuring their feet, sending an address, and such but can't send a quick e-mail to you/their pal updating their status...

Isn't it sad that 20% of the knitters' honor is not trustworthy? Secret Pal has a blacklist you might want to ask for if you do decide to do this again.

Having said that, it was great fun. My advice to sock knitters would be to make the socks a bit bigger than the measurements, though, since I sadly did not knit one sock big enough. So sad to have dissapointed my recipient with only one fitting sock.

I have never heard from Brooke that she received the socks I mailed Sept 14! She did not ever give me any measurements or anything so I winged it. I am not a fast knitter & I really hope knitting the socks was not a waste of time. Alison, do you have any news on Brooke?

BTW, I am not a blogger but am the most dependable person you will ever meet! So don't judge on that only!! I've been in 1 & 2.

I enjoyed knitting for my pal and the socks I received were so amazing (I wear once a week-I'd wear them daily but don't want to ruin them. They will be going to Houston with me next month) that the whole thing was just great!

Hmm...well my 10 year old can knit, but I don't think she'd have the stamina for socks, so no back up knitter there!

Hi Alison, it makes me so glad that your are glad about how glad I am with your socks ;-) So sorry to hear that you haven't received your socks yet and the drop out rate!? Is it possible? Shame on you, bad pals! If you are in need of more substitute sock pals, you can count on me. My experience with this sock exchange has exceeded all my expectations and I would love to help making it up for the disappointed ones.

I was one of the ones that hadn't heard from my sock pal, but then I had to go out of town due to a death in the family and when I returned today, my socks had arrived from my sock pal and they are beautiful. I will have a post up in the next day or so with a photo of the socks. Thanks for hosting it and if you need someone to make a pair of socks for the sock savior list, let me know.

I haven't received mine yet, although I did get some contact from my sock pal that they should still be coming, the last e-mail I got was Sept 30. I have faith they're still coming! It can be disappointing if they don't arrive on time, particularly since I had some hard times, healthwise and familywise, and still managed to get mine mailed out on time. BUT I know that things have been difficult, particularly in some areas in the US. Maybe you could let people who dropped out in the 1 or 2 swap participate in the next IF they are on a "warning" system, meaning someone will check in with them every couple weeks or something, like the "Mom" idea someone had. That worked well for the beginners in the 1 one I remember (since I was in it!).

Also, for the Harry Potter knit-along, I got my wool on Tuesday and have started scarf one. Pictures updates soon, as well as Sean updates as he learns to knit his!

I too am soo sorry that some "deadbeats" have to spoil it for the people who genuinely care and enjoy participation in a fun and wonderful event like this Alison!

I suppose "deadbeats" may sound harsh but if you commit to something like this you really should follow through! At least send a note or even offer to send the sock yarn if you can't do the knitting for whatever reason.

I hope you do have a Sockapalooza 3 because your organization made this so much fun Alison! If you need help or another angel, I'm here for you!

PS - I can vouch for Donna S. -- she was my sock pal for round one and not only did she knit the most beautiful, cozy socks we still keep in touch and I consider her a friend :)

I've already made this offer privately, but am more than happy to do it publicly - add me to the sock angel list. I don't know what to say about the folks who made a promise and didn't follow through. What goes around comes around and the universe will make sure that they suffer the same dissapointment. In the meantime I have loved every moment of both sock exchanges. I still correspond with Alison (who made me socks in exchange #1). I adore the socks made for me this time by Jennifer and Deena blogged / gushed about the socks I made for her. This is such a wonderful opportunity to meet new people. It is a truly special feeling to devote yourself to the happiness of a stranger while knowing that somewhere out there someone is devoting themselves to your happiness. How crushing when that turns out not to be true.

Keep up the great work Alison, I know it must take tons of time to organise and post these weekly updates. Just saying that you are doing a great job at it. :)

Your melody shawl is beautiful, it's inspired me. ;)

U can do another pair of socks for someone who didn't get theirs! I'm also more than happy to help out with any organizational schemes for making another sock exchange run more smoothly. I love my pairs of socks from both rounds!

I meant I can do another pair of socks. It must be past my bedtime.

I'm not a sock pal, or a sock-less pal, but I thought I'd fill you in on my progress on the Harry Potter knitalong! Well, progress of a sort-- I finally got the right colors of yarn. Matching colors to a movie hat was more trouble than I expected. The long awaited yarn is pictured on my blog post today.
Sorry about all the sock dropouts-- what a bummer!

I forgot to say yesterday that Iyou can add me to the sock angel list. I think everyone should have handknit socks and who am I to let an opportunity pass to whip out those DPNs and make someone's day?

Thanks for your suggestions, folks. I'm already not letting anyone join in whose already been a "deadbeat" unless, of course, there were special circumstances. And I wouldn't ever restrict the sock swap to just those with blogs, so don't worry about that! I'm still brainstorming for ideas. I'll come up with something! :)

If you decide to do another sockpal next spring, I know I could join in. But RL has litteraly kicked me in the back this last year. I am behind on everything I promised to make for people so I quit making things for anyone probably until next spring.

But, my paitient sock pals socks are blocked and drying at this moment. The first sock took me nearly two months to finish but the second one took about 10 days in between classes. So for me, it is First Sock Syndrom instead of Second Sock Syndrom. I will be shipping them out early tommorow morning.

Deadbeats? Well, RL CAN keep someone from posting so I would not judge quite so quickly. Or they may just feel so much shame at not being able to meet their obligation that they would rather not say anything than be called names. Not to say it would not be nice to hear from them.

And you know what? It was two and a half months into the swap before I remembered I was to receive socks too. I would do this swap again just because I enjoy making things for other people. But I will wait until I can catch up on my other obligations in life first.

Traci
waiting until next year before commiting to anything else

I got my socks from my sock pal. Unfortunately, each sock was knit with different size needles. One sock fits perfectly. The other is so small that it won't fit over my heel. I did receive my socks, so I'm glad I didn't get a "deadbeat" sock pal. And I am in the beginner group, so I guess glitches like this should be expected. I guess I'm just a little disappointed that they aren't actually wearable. They were such a pretty pattern too.

Hi Alison!
Just a quick comment to let you know that my person received their socks, and, while I haven't received my socks yet, my person has contacted me and is working to finish them. I had a lot of fun making the socks, and would love to sign up for the next round.

Alison, I understand your idea to cut down the deadbeat numbers if you do another round of Sockapalooza. But requiring people to name a backup knitter would eliminate people like me, who are "lone ranger knitters." I know very few other people who knit, and NOT ONE of them knits socks.

I's sure that many sock-knitters have a network of other knitters locally that they could call on. But for some of us, the cyber-knitters whose blogs we read are the only support we have.

I'm hoping you can come up with some other way to verify each knitter's ability to follow through, because I would absolutely LOVE to be a part next time.

I would be delighted to help make up the sock deficit. I followed the swap with great interest, although I was too late to join. I hope there is a "next time". I have some lovely socks waiting to be sent out as hoiday gifts, and I would be happy to donate a pair to the cause.

Am I the Vicki you're looking for?

Either way, I finished up my socks today and they'll be out Monday morning. I have emailed my pal to let her know that they'll be a bit late.

And...I just got my socks today! They're from Amy and I just love them. I also loved the Canada postcards and bonus yarn. I'm off to email her personally. I'll have to get some pictures tonight for the old blog. Thanks Amy!!