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?

 

New In My Shop...

Brynwood Needleworks Flower Cowl - Natural/Tan Version Detail

 

 It was a perfect day to knit at the farmhouse. I made a beautiful wool cowl to wear as a fashion accessory, or as a cowl with your winter coat.

Brynwood Needleworks Flower Cowl - Natural/Tan Version Detail

This is the natural version, with tan and peach-tone, and deep green leafy wool roving flowers. I also have a black/fuchsia version available. 

Brynwood Needleworks Flower Cowl - Natural/Tan Version

This is the actual version I knitted today.

Brynwood Needleworks Flower Cowl - Natural/Tan Version - Front

I'm sharing these photos from the same wool, knitted and photographed when we still lived in Florida. This specific one already sold, but it gives you an idea of how the cowl sits on your shoulders, and of the size.

Brynwood Needleworks Flower Cowl - Natural/Tan Version - Side

This is the side view.  I designed this cowl pattern, and it was sold through Pagewood Farms, who manufactured the yarn. Their yarn is now discontinued, but I have a few skeins left in my inventory, so I decided to knit it into my cowl design for those who don't knit.

Brynwood Needleworks Flower Cowl - Natural/Tan Version - Back

 

You can see from the back view that the roving flowers are interspersed all around the cowl, so it's pretty from any angle. 

If you're interested, you can find it in my Brynwood shop HERE. I'll be making the black version soon, too. This one is ready in time for Valentine's Day, and the cold weather we're currently enjoying experiencing in Wisconsin!

Knitting...

Knitting

 

Handsome and I worked yesterday morning, but in the afternoon, I put my feet up and knit! I've been working on this Blue Sky Alpaca Organic Cotton yarn shawl for quite some time. It seems this has always taken a back seat to my other projects. 

 

I think I'll give it more attention this month to finish it. I really love the soft blue color.  Not only is it a portable project, but it's just the project to work on as I continue to set up my studio rooms. 

 

I'll unpack and organize during the day, and work on this shawl in the evening. Then, by the end of the month, I'll have new studio spaces waiting for me, and a completed shawl, too.

Happy Mother's Day Weekend!

Look What I Found...

When recently combing through boxes in a local antique shop, I came across  a treasure trove of these little beauties. They're thread spools, used (I think) in a factory setting. They have a fabulous patina and are in great shape, so I knew that I had to have them, but I also knew exactly how I would use them at home.

The first step when I got them back to the studio was to cover the beautiful wood with scraps of cotton batting. Wood can damage fabric over time, so this is a step I took in an effort to protect what I would store on the spools to keep them safe.

Then, I went into my stash of beautiful, printed twill ribbons and began rolling  the wide tapes that I have onto the spools. Each tape is 2" wide, so you can see how large these spools are to be able to hold three different ribbons on each one.

I think they're beautiful to look at even when I'm not using them, don't you? In fact, I may have to go back and purchase more spools. (Yup. I have more tapes.   I can't believe it's already Friday again. I guess it's true... "Time flies when you're having fun"! Speaking of time...It's time to finish my knitting project. Gotta run!

Girls Night Out...

(click on photo to enlarge)
This photo is two images cropped together - I tell you
this to explain the half table in the center of the image.

I spent yesterday working on the quilt top and will share it in tomorrow's post. Last night, though, was Girls Night Out at Books A Million. (Missed you Krisann, but glad we could fit in lunch together yesterday!)

These girls have enormous hearts and they make me laugh. I love the time we spend together. They're all busy working on yarny rectangles right now to send in for Warm Up America™.

I remember when I had my shop in Wisconsin (over twenty years ago). Fellow shop owner, Evie Rosen - also located in Wisconsin, conceived of this great idea. Since then, knitters and crocheters have continued to summon their creative talents to make blankets for the homeless. It's a great cause, and the girls in our group never shy away from a great cause. (You can click here to see how you can participate, too.)

I haven't been able to knit or crochet for a while (an little issue with my hands), but I continue to meet with the gals for their inspiration and friendship. I'm looking forward to hearing just how many squares they contribute to Warm Up America™ this year, and to see what their next charity project will be.

I'm anxious to share the quilt top tomorrow. Hope you'll stop by for the big reveal!

It's Official...

After correspondence with the manufacturer of this luscious yarn,
I have sold the design for my Flower Cowl to Pagewood Farm!

Pagewood Farm will have the rights to produce and sell
it to their wholesale and retail customers,
and
I have retained rights, so you will
still be able to purchase the pattern from me!
I'll also continue to sell my finished cowls
in my Boutique for non-knitters.
A win/win all around.
Thank you, Robin and Chuck!
A fabulous finish to a wonderful week.
Don't forget to spread the word...
There's still time to enter my 300th Post Giveaways!
and
Oh, Goodness! Brynwood is moving toward 300 followers!
There will be another celebration soon - and you know what that means...
another groovy giveaway!