The treasure trove of prizes continues to grow so this is the perfect time to discuss one of the changes that you’ll see in SM2. The creativity awards. Intrigued? Read on.
In Sock Madness we awarded 2 prizes for each round - one for the first person to finish and one to a random, newly eliminated, player. It worked pretty well but I think that it could be even better. This time, instead of picking a random loser, we’ll pick a winner of a different sort - based on creativity.
The way it will work is that, at the end of the round, we’ll give the first finisher a prize as usual. Then, Carole and I (and our special panel of judges AKA our families) will choose our favorite versions of the sock from all of those posted to Flickr and present them in a little poll where anyone who wants to can vote for their favorite. The one that gets the most votes will win the second prize for the round. Sound good?
Please note that all Sock Madness 2 players will be eligible for the creative award. We’re hoping that this will inspire you to keep knitting along in the later rounds so that all of the patterns get the maximum exposure. It was sad that we didn’t get to see as many versions of the later patterns in SM1. This will also allow you express yourselves with patterns that inspire you - and I KNOW that some of them will certainly inspire.
Those who are already eliminated can add beading or picot edges or whatever turns you on. Players who are still racing to stay in the thick of things will want to adhere to the pattern more closely but maybe the choice of colors will be more inspired or special.
I know that part of the fun for me in the last round was checking out how differently a pattern would look based upon the yarn choice and I think that you did too. Maybe we can turn SM2 into a game that’s fun for spectators too. Oh yeah, spectators can vote too.
January 30, 2008
If you go on over and check out the Buttons and Loot page you’ll see that it’s been updated for SM2. Carole made a new button for this year and we’ve started a list of prizes. See anything to tempt you there? I thought so.
I’ll be dyeing up a bunch of yarn to add to the booty and I’ll be happy to list any other donations too. Let’s get some pictures to add color to that page.
The test knitting is moving right along but that’s a post for another day. I’ll also have information on signing up and supplies soon.
January 28, 2008
Last week I posted about the state of things and held my breath, hoping that things were better than I thought they were. It turns out that things are much better than I thought. We got many emails and comments telling us that you’re looking forward to SM2. That was nice to hear. It was even better when we started hearing from designers. Much, much better because I started to think that maybe we wouldn’t have to let down all of you wanna-be players.
I wanted to post about the response but I was afraid to because I didn’t want to jinx things by counting my eggs before they hatched. (Care to add a cliche there?) So I was quiet instead.
Lot’s of you expressed your wish to help out but, like me, you felt unable to get the ideas in your heads down on paper in a way that would make sense to anyone else. I get that! It’s just really nice that you wanted to try.
The patterns started rolling in slowly, one here, one there. I felt encouraged. By the time I went to sleep last night there were 10 or 11 patterns. We’re there! We can go forward with SM2.
A few people volunteered to help with the test knitting. We really appreciate the offers and we’ll be in touch. We just need to figure out what’s need and put together some quick instructions.
Next, there will be site overhauling, sign ups, materials lists, and peeks at test socks.
I have an idea to change things up in a few ways this year - more time trials, and encouraging creative expression. You’ll see what I mean soon.
Please let me know if you, or someone you know might be interested in contributing prizes. I’ll be offering yarn again but the more prizes, the more fun it is.
January 16, 2008
Input is needed right now from everyone. (That means you!)
SM2 is at kind of a crossroads. Test knitting has begun slowly but if we don’t have enough patterns then the testing is really unnescessary isn’t it? As of today we have, in the inbox, 5 patterns. That’s not enough for the game. Ideally we’d love 5 more so that there would be room for choice.
Some of the patterns that I’ve looked at seem very cool with twists that we haven’t seen in SM before. Some are much simpler but still lovely. We’re still looking for the crazy cool pattern that will send sock knitters over the edge. Some of the ideas sound like they have potential but until we have them in the inbox they’re just that - ideas.
Is there just not enough interest? Should we take 2008 off? It’s time to get a virtual show of hands of designers AND players. Is it likely that we’ll have the designs that we need by the 15th? If the patterns do materialize, will there be players to knit them? Let us know. Spread the word too so that everyone knows what’s going on. If the comments and inbox are quiet then we’ll probably shelve this for 2008.
It’s up to you!
January 7, 2008
