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april 10, 2007
come on down! UPDATE: As of 9am Thursday, there are already 725 people signed up for Sockapalooza!
Okay, before you go sign-up, let me just remind you that by signing up you are agreeing to do three things: 1. Make a pair of socks for your pal that you genuinely believe they will enjoy and send them off on time (August 2nd!). Remember, your pal has taken the time to write up specific preferences, so please try your best to make socks they'll like. You may need to buy some new sock yarn. Don't be afraid to try out a new pattern or technique. No matter what, be sure to plan your knitting time so you will be ready by August 2nd and we can all send out socks at the same time. 2. Keep us updated on your progress by posting on the group blog (which is still in progress, don't worry, it'll be ready when we start knitting). It would also be great if you could keep in touch with the pal you're knitting for by sending some anonymous emails to them and maybe even leaving anonymous blog comments on their blog if possible. But remember, it's a SECRET, so don't tell your pal who you are! Open an anonymous email account (something like sockpal at gmail) and use a fake name when you sign up for that email account (like Sock Pal) so your name doesn't appear in an email signature somewhere. Use that email account to write to your pal and comment on their blog. 3. Please, please, please send some sort of thanks to the pal who sends you socks, so they at least know that they have arrived. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Now here's a list of all the info you'll need to sign-up. - BASIC INFO: name; email address; blog address; mailing address. Don't worry, I won't be sharing your email or mailing addresses with anyone but your sock pal. Note that the first name you enter in the NAME box will be the name that appears on the participant list on my blog. If you use a web alias, this is the place to put it. And because the name box is really just for the participant list, the ADDRESS box needs to contain your full name and then your address. - SHIPPING: Let me know if you prefer to ship only within your own country/continent and I'll do my best to match you up with someone there. Click on "international" if you're happy to ship anywhere. - DETAILS: If you are a beginning sock knitter, be sure to check that box, so you are put in a group with other beginners. If you'd like to knit a second pair of socks (also to be sent by August 2nd) for someone who didn't receive socks in the last round, click that box and accept my heartfelt thanks! When matches are made, you will receive two sock pals to knit for. And lastly, if you're willing to be a sock savior for someone in this round whose pal drops out, click that box and I'll know who to contact later on when sock saviors are needed. - PREFERENCES: This is the space to put everything you think your pal should know to make you some socks you'll like. Include at least your foot measurement from heel to tip of big toe AND foot circumference measured at the ball of the foot, plus any other measurements or info that your pal needs to make socks fit your feet. Then any style, fiber, or color preferences that are important and definitely any allergies that are relevant. If you're up for anything, just say that and your pal can have fun with your socks! - COMMENTS: This box is just for your comments to me, so don't put any info for your pal in here - they won't see it! - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Alright, GO! Sign-ups are now closed Sign-ups will be open for at least 48 hours and probably longer (unless a bazillion people sign up!), so don't rush. Take the time to measure your foot properly and think about what sort of socks you'd really like before you sign up. But remember, you must sign-up through the above link. DO NOT SEND ME YOUR INFO THROUGH EMAIL. After you have followed the instructions there and submitted your info, you should get a new screen telling you that your information has been added to the database. Once you get that screen, you're all set! You can always click on the main link again to request a session to change your info if you need to. (There's no need to contact me. Trust me, changing things yourself through the system will always be faster! For example, I would have posted all this earlier, but I've been trapped motionless under a sleeping baby for the last three hours!) Once sign-ups are closed, the system will make the matches and when they're all ready, I'll announce it here and you'll be able to get your sock pal's info by clicking on the same link above. (Isn't my master webmaster clever?) And one absolute, final, last thing. Say it with me: SOCKAPAL-WOOOOOO-HOOOOOO-ZA! posted by alison at 11:12 pm | in
sockapalooza 4
Comments
I'm nearly swooning with the excitement of it all :) Posted by: Janine at April 10, 2007 11:20 PMI just discovered that swaddling really does work for some kids. And apparently at just the right moment, too! Posted by: Brynne at April 10, 2007 11:24 PMOkay, so I think I might be the first person in the database which makes it LOOK like I didn't heed your 'take your time' advice! I've had a little WordPad document on my desktop for days, with all my info ready to cut and paste. So excited, this is my first Pal-ooza. The adorable sock monkey button may have been what finally did me in... Posted by: Cirilia at April 10, 2007 11:29 PMyay! thank you for doing this again alison! Posted by: Rose at April 10, 2007 11:29 PMThank you for all of your hard work especially with that precious new baby! Posted by: Pam A at April 10, 2007 11:31 PMYay! This is what I learned to knit for! I'm so excited! Posted by: Laurene at April 10, 2007 11:36 PMThanks for setting this up Alison! And thank you to the fabulous Webmaster. Though, I must admit, I'm too tired to attempt measuring my foot tonight. I think I'll wait until morning. Posted by: Bobbi at April 10, 2007 11:36 PMI'm all signed up! WOW the info I put in last year is ALL THERE including my foot measurements! Yippee!!! Thanks for all your hard work - I hope it all runs as smooth as it looks! Posted by: Laura at April 10, 2007 11:42 PMOh so tempting but a) I suck at sock knitting and b) I don't have an address! Which could make sending a bit difficult. Oh well, next time maybe. Posted by: Sarah at April 10, 2007 11:47 PMSigned up and ready to go:D Thanks so much! Posted by: Abigail at April 10, 2007 11:50 PMThe anticipation, the sweet anticipation! So great - I have signed up, now all I have to wait for is the sundry Harry Potter-palooza in July. Thank you, thank you Alison - you are amazing! Posted by: Sonya at April 10, 2007 11:55 PMThe excitement is contagious! As much as I'd love to participate, I know that right now I can't be trusted to get a pair of socks out on time, so I'll sit this one out. But I'm going to have a great time watching everyone and cheering you on! (Plus, I'm going to see if I can finish the current, never-ending pair AND a new pair by August 2nd. If I can, I'll seriously consider participating next time!) Posted by: Stephanie at April 11, 2007 12:02 AMGo Allison! Posted by: mama-e at April 11, 2007 12:44 AMThis is going to be so much fun! I look forward to participating. Posted by: Sarah at April 11, 2007 1:08 AMI'm all signed up, and I'm excited. Thanks for hosting this, Alison. Posted by: Country Mouse at April 11, 2007 1:13 AMyay! sooooo ready for this year's sockapalooooza4! :-D Posted by: tania at April 11, 2007 1:24 AMWooooo-hooooo is right! Can't wait to get to round four after so much fun the first three times :-) Posted by: Kathy at April 11, 2007 1:58 AMAlison, I think it is truly amazing that you are organising this again - despite the cute little distraction at home keeping you already busy enough. Yay, finally! Alison, you are great! And this year I get to be a full-fledged participant. Color me happy! Posted by: Sandy at April 11, 2007 3:44 AMFinally! Can't wait to get started after having soooo much fun the last time. You are great Alison! Posted by: Carina at April 11, 2007 4:05 AMYay! Thanks for hosting, and thanks to the webmaster! Thanks for doing this again - I had so much fun last time :-) Posted by: janine at April 11, 2007 5:07 AMI'm so excited! I've never had a pair of socks knit just for me by someone else :) Thank you so much for doing this! Posted by: Julie at April 11, 2007 7:01 AMI'm so excited. I just signed up (I had a blast last time) and can hardly wait! Posted by: Seanna Lea at April 11, 2007 7:08 AMIt's the second time I participate on a Sockpal and I hope I will have the same fun I had last time. Posted by: Kathrin at April 11, 2007 7:10 AMYay!!!! This is my first Sockapalooza!!!! So excited to get linked with my sock pal, and get knitting. Great organization Alison!!!! Whoooooo Hooooooo!!!! Posted by: Lindsay at April 11, 2007 7:35 AMIt's the first time for me to participate on Thank you so much for all of the hard work you and the tech guys put in to this. I've participated in each sockapalooza round and it's the only swap I participate in! Thanks Alison! I can't wait to get my pal. Posted by: Christy at April 11, 2007 7:43 AMHi. I can't seem to find your email address and I have a few questions about the swap that I would like to ask. Could you email me so that I have your address? Thanks! Posted by: Trish at April 11, 2007 8:01 AMYay! All signed up and ready to go! I really like that the database had all my stuff from last year. Very convenient! Posted by: Sheri at April 11, 2007 8:24 AMThank you so much for setting this up again.....hope it won't be too much work for you, and will be as much fun as last time. There is something unique about socks that someone else has knitted for you. ty you again Alison.x Posted by: Anne at April 11, 2007 8:34 AMFirst time sock pal, and I can't wait to cast on. Your organization of this with a new baby makes me less apprehensive of motherhood. Thanks! Posted by: Saida at April 11, 2007 8:35 AMYay! Posted by: Carla at April 11, 2007 8:35 AMHooray! Thanks for doing this - I can't wait to use up some of the yummy sock yarn I have! Posted by: Carrie at April 11, 2007 8:58 AMThis is my first Sockapalooza and I am so excited. Thanks for organizing this. And away we go!! Posted by: Cynthia at April 11, 2007 9:34 AMWoo-hoo-za! I'm re-upped and ready to go. Thank you, Alison (and master webmaster), for another round of Sockapalooza. Posted by: Ina at April 11, 2007 9:49 AMI am so excited! i've been waitng for this since last year's one ended. Woo woo! Posted by: Catherine at April 11, 2007 9:54 AMWAHOO!!!! *dance, dance, dance* Posted by: Sandra at April 11, 2007 9:58 AMYeay! Thanks for setting this up again. I hope all of the automation works for you! Posted by: Wanda at April 11, 2007 10:39 AMwhoo hoo thanks, Alison! Posted by: erin at April 11, 2007 10:42 AMI just signed up for my first Sockapalooza (or any sock exchange for that matter), and I'm excited! I can't wait to see whose name I get and all her info (assuming it will be a woman) so I can start on the socks! Posted by: Shelley at April 11, 2007 10:44 AMYeah Allison!!! thank you so much for setting this up! Posted by: Carissa at April 11, 2007 12:19 PMOf course, now you want to get your geek person to put an up-to-date count of people signed up on your front page... Posted by: Timothy at April 11, 2007 12:20 PMI really want to do this but I've never knit socks before... I'm a competent knitter, but I haven't gotten around to socks... Would this be appropriate for a first sock knitter? With an August deadline I don't think it would be a problem. I think it would be a nifty challenge to get the ball of sock yarn rolling. It's my first Sockapalooza and I'm thrilled! Yay! Thanks so much for hosting it. One totally goofy question, and I know this should be obvious to me, but how do I get that fabulous button for my sidebar? Thanks! Posted by: kate at April 11, 2007 2:12 PMYay! My first sock exchange! Thanks for doing this! Posted by: Holly at April 11, 2007 2:53 PMI'm so excited! I've been hoping to be able to catch a sockapalooza sign-up! Posted by: Ingrid at April 11, 2007 9:02 PMWoohoo!!! SOCKAPAL-WOOOOOO-HOOOOOO-ZA! Posted by: Tawana at April 11, 2007 9:14 PMI am so excited this is the first time that i have not missed out on the sign-up! Thank you for running this, Alison. Posted by: celia at April 11, 2007 10:00 PMI have just signed up......my first time so be gentle!! Posted by: Sam at April 12, 2007 8:14 AMOver 700 people already! That is insane, do you have a limit or are you going to just let people keep joining? xx Posted by: kerrie at April 12, 2007 10:03 AMYay! I have never joined a sock pal thing, so I am excited!!!! Posted by: Cheesy Knit Wit at April 12, 2007 11:35 AMI requested an email to change some information on my entry, but Hotmail is down. Will I be able to request another email once it's working? Thanks. Posted by: Ali at April 12, 2007 1:59 PMAfter being a sock savior only last round, I certainly didn't want to miss the sign ups again this time! I can't wait!!! What fun. Posted by: Karla (threadbndr) at April 13, 2007 9:17 AMSounds like fun! Posted by: Caitlin Al-Ansari at April 13, 2007 10:21 AMYahoo!! After much teasing of a blogger friend who joins everything, it's finally my turn. I'm really looking forward to this. Posted by: seejayneknit at April 13, 2007 8:40 PMAre they really shut?! I just missed it! I was on holiday this week and I just got home and I find the sign-ups have shut!! :( *pouts* It would have been my first sockapalooza. Oh well. I guess I'll have to wait for the next one? :( Have fun everyone!!! :( Posted by: Arianne at April 14, 2007 5:15 PMDarn, I missed it too, Arianne - you are not alone! Next year! Posted by: tutleymutley at April 15, 2007 7:50 PM |
