Toe Dancing...

Brynwood Needleworks - Hedwig Socks

Remember last week when I told you how I was concerned about starting the second sock of my Harry Potter-themed yarn? I said my Type A was going to hate be mildly peeved if I couldn't make them match.

Brynwood Needleworks - Hedwig Socks

After I completed the first sock, I started on the second. It was off by about five rows, so I took my knitting off the needles and held the yarn where it needed to start in order to carry on the same pattern into the second sock.

I pulled enough extra yarn for my long-tail cast-on and started again. I cast sixty stitches onto my needle, divided them between three double points and then started knitting again. This time, the pattern for the second sock was spot on!

Brynwood Needleworks - Hedwig Socks

All I have left to knit is the foot shaping and into the toe. I think my Saturday will be filled with Hedwig yarn, and end with another pair of completed Christmas socks. How will you spend your Saturday?

 Oh, and don't forget to set your clocks back before you go to bed tonight!

Knitting Hedwig...

Brynwood Needleworks - Hedwig Socks

The Strawberry Blossom & Roses Sachet is finished and on its way to a new home today. I needed to wait until daylight to take pictures, so I'll show it to you tomorrow.

Brynwood Needleworks - Hedwig Socks

After I leave the studio at night, I take up my knitting again. I've missed having knitting needles in my hands, and with the arthritis "on break" these days, I'm truly enjoying making socks again.

Brynwood Needleworks - Hedwig Socks

For this project, I'm using Opal Yarns' Harry Potter yarn in the "Hedwig" colorway. In case you're wondering, the pattern I use is frequently given away with a purchase of Opal Yarns. It's called "Free Simple Sock Pattern & Gift Pouch", by Sue Morgan. She designed the pattern in 2004.

If you've never made socks before, but you're comfortable knitting and reading patterns, I'd highly recommend that you start with this pattern. It's very simple and teaches the basics of knitting socks. It also explains how to resize the pattern for a smaller or larger sock.

Brynwood Needleworks - Hedwig Socks

When I started this pair, I had no idea that the seemingly random dyes along the yarn would produce such a fabulous pattern in the sock(s). I'm so smitten with the way it's knitting up that I can hardly put them down.

Brynwood Needleworks - Hedwig Socks

I'm only having one, single issue. If you know me well, you may have already foreseen the one thing causing me any distress. In case you're an occasional reader, I'll help you out. 

 

The pattern is so obvious as I knit, that I'm concerned about making the second sock match the first! Oh, dear. Each time a new block appears in the pattern, I immediately start thinking about it again. 

 

I'm glad I kept a nice long tail at the start. Perhaps I'll be able to find a repeat in the yarn when I get to knitting the second one. I'll be happy if I get close...I think...

There's No Such Thing As Bored At Brynwood...

Brynwood Needleworks - Socks Knitted With Lorna's Laces Yarn

I finished out the week with a pair of completed socks! Using Lorna's Laces yarn in a colorway called "Spring Forward", I knit up this pair with Christmas in mind.

Brynwood Needleworks - Socks Knitted With Lorna's Laces Yarn

I haven't decided who will receive them yet, but I know I'll be making more pairs between now and December. I'll choose "who gets what" closer to wrapping day.

Brynwood Needleworks - Socks Knitted With Lorna's Laces Yarn

For now, they're folded and packaged in my special cello bags to keep them safe and clean. I'll turn my thoughts to the next pair.

Brynwood Needleworks - Sock Yarns

I adore sock yarn and making socks. They're a simple, but warm gift to give to loved ones. The yarns come in so many different colorways and choices of fibers.

I pulled these three from my "sock yarn stash" (Yes. I have one of those, too.) so that I could set up the next pair for one of my portable projects.

The first two are Lorna's Laces' "Ice Storm", produced in January of 2008, so I've had it a while. The middle one is a sock weight from Rowan. It's made from a blend of merino wool, kid mohair, polymide and mulberry silk. The third one is another limited edition colorway. It's from a series they created for a Harry Potter line.

Brynwood Needleworks - Opal Sock Harry Potter Yarn - Hedwig

This particular colorway is "Hedwig", after Harry's owl. This is the yarn I decided to make up next. I already have it on my double pointed needles, and it will wait until I need a portable project again.

This week, here's what's on my plate: A custom order for another "Strawberry Blossom Strawberry Sachet"; a custom machine embroidery order for an embroidered framed mat; a vest for Handsome (He needs it for a gig tomorrow night, so I'll be making it today); more project totes (I'm selling them as fast as I list them in my Etsy shop! Thank you!!); finish a pineapple block table runner; and pack up more belongings for our eventual move.

Let me remind you...There's no such thing as bored at our house!