Socktopus
Many of you will have felt that special thrill that comes with the glitter of a silver squishy parcel through the letterbox with the promise of gorgeous pink tissue inside and under that: yummy squidgy sock yarn. In only a little less than a year, Socktopus has become established as the place to spoil yourself with a most tempting range of luxury yarns and accessories.
Socktopus was started in September 2007 by Alice Yu, a passionate sock knitter with a taste for gorgeous yarns which were sadly unavailable in the UK. She describes her business as a ‘UK Mecca’ for knitters in search of fabulous yarns from the more elusive indie dyers. Seven years in the City (aka the Square Mile) had given her valuable skills for launching a business, but also had her feeling ready for a change and a new direction in life.
With the business still new and expanding, Alice works consistently at researching and developing new product lines and loves seeking out partnerships with the incredibly talented people she discovers in the industry. A recent new product line, Socktopus’ own handcrafted Socktopod’s Rule needle gauge comes from KaratStix, each piece carefully and beautifully made to Alice’s specifications.
As a knitter herself, Alice doesn’t find it difficult to stay in touch with customers’ needs. She knows that what she finds useful, interesting, or fun will also appeal to others and she stays in touch with her market through a lively presence in Ravelry and through the Socktopus blog. Customers also have the option to subscribe to a regular newsletter, keeping them up to date with events, classes and new products.
I asked Alice what was in store for Socktopus fans over the next few months. The main thing she is currently working on is the much coveted Sock(topus) Club: the annual sock club which will open for signups again on 6th September 2008 after a sold out first year. 2007/08 was Socktopus’s charter sock club and by all accounts has been a great success and rollicking fun for the members. Alice has created a sock club with different package options which allows members to choose the extent of the "extras" that come with the club parcels. Essentials members receive just the pattern and the yarn, whilst Bells & Whistles members get a little bonus in each of their parcels. Bonuses ranged from Chappy sock blockers to a Sock(topus) Club 2007 tote bag for carrying sock projects.
The yarns are fabulous offerings from some great yarn artisans. Shelridge Farm, the Knittery, Smooshy and Middlearthknitter were all yarns featured in previous parcels. Alice knows that it is all too easy to sign up to sock clubs and just stash away the yarn (she says she is guilty of this herself!), so to encourage members to finish their socks and motivate each other along the way, Sock(topus) Club Badges are awarded for each Club Sock a member completes, on top of a club blog and a prize draw after every kit.
Members who gain all six Club Sock Badges during their membership year will achieve their year’s Queen Bee Award: the ultimate sock club personal achievement award.
Other than sock yarn, she is also expanding the range of products Socktopus will be offering. “Spinning will be a focus,” she tells me, “It is really quite an exciting field and really, the thrill of spinning up some fibre into yarn can’t be beat!” Spinning classes have been added to the ever-popular schedule of sock classes Socktopus hosts, and hand-painted fibre, spindles and other supplies will soon be appearing in the shop. 
Whatever the changes, customers can be assured that the fundamental goal of the business – customer satisfaction – will remain intact. “It all really revolves around this.” Alice says, “We aim to provide a fantastic choice of beautiful quality products coupled with the highest standards of customer service. We want you to feel spoiled.”
Spoiled or not, you can be certain that no matter how large or small your order, Alice’s great service will make you feel special, and the contents of your pink tissue wrapping will be of the highest quality and guarantee many pleasurable hours of luxury knitting.
More from Socktopus
Check out the Shur’tagal (Dragon Rider) sock pattern in this issue. Designed by Alice herself, it features the popular Seawool yarn from Fleece Artist.
Inside Loop readers can enjoy a special offer from Socktopus until this issue closes on November 19, 2008. Just enter the code “insideloop” when asked at checkout, and receive a 10% discount on the price of any regular skein of yarn (some exclusions apply).
Visit Socktopus at iknit Day on the 6th September, at the Knitting & Stitching Show at Alexandra Palace October 9- 12 (stand H21), or drop by the shop at www.socktopus.co.uk. You can also pop by the Socktopods Group on Ravelry and say hello.
This article is copyright © 2008 to Diane Mulholland. All rights reserved.