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?

 

One Down...

Brynwood Needleworks - Knitting Self-Striping Socks

   ...one to go.

Stitching by day. Knitting by night. Ahhh, Life is good. Tag and I are counting the days until Handsome and Bella come back home. That will make our days even better. For now, deadlines loom. 

In case you're interested...My knitting needles for this project are Knitter's Pride - Zing 6" Double Pointed Needles, size 2.5mm (US 1.5). They're new to me, and I really enjoy using them. 

Have a great Friday, friend. 

** Disclaimer: I am in no way compensated for mentioning any products I may reference on this  post.

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!