Another Finish...

Brynwood Needleworks - Handknit Striped Socks

Happy Monday! I hope you had a great weekend. I spent time with my sister, Di and her family over the holiday. This week is going to go lightning-fast, and on Friday, I'll be heading to Florida to hear Handsome's final concert for this season. Then, we'll pack up the truck, and he, Bella and I will drive home together. Tag will be at a fine local kennel to await our return.

On Sunday morning, I completed this pair of socks I began a couple of weeks ago. I would have finished them sooner, but I was working on my "Song of Spring" quilt for the May 4-5 local quilt show. (The quilt is now in Kathy D.'s capable hands to deliver to check-in for judging while I'm in Florida.)

Back to my socks, though. I love the yarn (called self-striping) that creates the pattern without the need for color changes. I think I mistakenly told you this yarn is from Opal Yarn Company. It's actually from KnitPicks (.com), although I've used Opal many times in the past, and will likely make more pairs of socks with it this year. Can you even believe that I'm starting up a "sock stock" for Christmas gifts already? Yup!

 

Brynwood Needleworks - Lorna's Laces Yarn Socks In Progress

 

I started another pair with this beautiful sock yarn from Lorna's Laces. The color is called "Watercolor". I always figure 400 yards/100 grams of yarn for each pair of socks. This yarn came in 215 yard hanks, so I'll use two hanks to make this pair.

 

My plan is to work on other projects during the day (I'm going to finish my stumpwork butterfly next), and then knit in the evening. My feet will be up, and I'll have a hot cuppa tea on the side table as I leisurely knit away. Sounds divine, don't you think?

 

Socks, A Block and Fiber Divas...

Brynwood Needleworks - Lorna's Laces Sock Project

Last night was my night to get together with the Fiber Divas at Paneras.

As I'd finished the Hedwig socks (see photo below), I needed to set up another pair to work on. I sorted through my sock yarn stash and chose a beautiful wool/silk blend from Lorna's Laces.

Brynwood Needleworks - Fiber Divas (l-r: Adele, Kathy, Krisann and Norma)

It's always nice to gather with the ladies. Adele is still recuperating from her fall and subsequent hip surgery, so Helen (in the next picture) has been kind enough to pick her up and bring her Paneras. We're thrilled to have her back in our midst.

Kathy is working an intricate pattern and says that it's "knit 10 rows, unknit 5". She's having a little trouble making headway, but I know she'll have a breakthrough and be much further along by next week.

Brynwood Needleworks - Fiber Divas (l-r: Doris, Anne, Ellen and Helen)

Ellen just celebrated a Birthday, so there was cake and song in her honor. She always has a kind word and a smile, and I'm so glad she's not only a part of the group, but also my friend.

Ann is working on a small quilt project. I enjoy seeing her latest project, and she's currently hand quilting this piece. Everything she makes is lovely. She's also a Wisconsin native, so we share shopping stories (usually of visits to Primitive Gatherings in Menasha, WI) whenever one of us manages to get back "home".

Brynwood Needleworks - Finished Hedwig Socks

In case you're curious about how the pattern finished up on the second Hedwick sock, I'm sharing a photo of the finished pair.

The pattern matched right up to the rows marked with the red arrows. The only thing I can think of for an explanation was that there was a cursed knot in the yarn right around this area. The knot was a little surprise from Opal Yarns, inserted in the production of this ball of yarn. Factory installed knots are the bane of all knitters, and this one knocked my second sock off-pattern.

Lucky that this part of the sock will usually be inside a shoe, but I don't think the recipient will mind that the socks don't match exactly while they keep feet toasty warm this winter.

Brynwood Needleworks - Signature Block

I've already managed to finish a stack of projects this week...a signature block going into a quilt for a friend; the machine embroidered commission is on its way to my client; and half of an order is done for another.

It's only Wednesday and I'm a little ahead of schedule. I'd say that's not half bad!

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!

Bless My Socks...

Brynwood Needleworks - Lorna's Laces Sock Yarn

After I finished the Baby Kimono, I was itching to start a new knitting project. I wanted something nice and portable for Tuesday nights with the Fiber Divas (our new name) at Paneras. Socks were the perfect choice!

Brynwood Needleworks - WIP Socks

I pulled a couple of skeins of sock weight yarn from my stash. (Yes. I also have a yarn stash - especially in favorite sock weight. sigh)

This is a limited edition dye lot that I've had for a few years.  It's Lorna's Laces "Spring Forward" colorway, in a superwash wool, nylon blend. It's "bouncy" and soft...everything you want in a new pair of socks.

Brynwood Needleworks - Heel Turn Finished

These make up quickly, too. I prefer the "one-sock-at-a-time", five double-pointed needle method. I started these on Sunday, and I'm already working on the toe of the first sock.

Brynwood Needleworks - Workin' Toward The Toe

I'll finish this sock soon, and then make the second. I should have the pair finished by the end of the week - just knitting at night while Handsome and I watch television together.

I haven't decided whether or not I'll keep them or put them on the pile for Christmas gifts. It's hard to believe I have to be thinking about such things already, but I don't want to be making gifts at the last minute this year, so I'll probably put these aside for someone special.

Knitted Baby Kimono...

Brynwood Needleworks - Knitted Baby Kimono

I finished my baby kimono project yesterday. This happens to be a favorite pattern. I've made it four or five times, and I'm sure I'll make it yet again.

Brynwood Needleworks - Knitted Baby Kimono Label

When I make baby items, I use my "Brynwood Baby" label, with my Brynwood verse: "Mighty oaks from tiny acorns grow". It's a reminder of the potential in all of us, but especially in our hopes for our children.

The last one I made (before this one) was created for my great-nephew, Jace. I hand delivered it to his home when I was in Wisconsin.

He happened to be cranky that day - which is unusual for him - and he'd been fussing for about twenty minutes. I decided to put his new kimono on him, then and there. It must have felt like a warm cuddle to him. He immediately stopped fussing and settled right into his new gift. Within minutes, he was fast asleep. It must have magic powers!

Brynwood Needleworks - Kimono Yarn Content

I used Rowan Yarns Luxury Cotton DK, which is a blend of cotton, viscose and silk. I've used this exact yarn for every one of the kimonos I've made. It really feels wonderful and works up well.

I'll be listing this one up in my Etsy shop. I'm going to make a matching baby hat to go with it, and then I'll have it available.

I started my next portable project, too. I'm knitting a new pair of socks using a beautiful hand dyed yarn from Lorna's Laces. I'll show you when I get a little further along. Enjoy your Saturday and I'll see you tomorrow for my Sunday Scripture post.