Owl Package Delivered

A package arrived by owl today from one of my Hogwarts Sock Swap pals. The very talented Abigail, a.k.a 1870 Pearl, put together a very nice package in the midst of getting ready to move. For this I am especially grateful!

Abigail knit some lovely GRYFFINDOR Hogwarts Socks in GRYFFINDOR colors. Since they are anklets they will be perfect Birkenstock summer socks. She also included some Lantern Moon DPNs -- huzzah! huzzah! And, last but not least, some candy in GRYFFINDOR colors in a GRYFFINDOR tin. Thanks, Abigail!

As for me, the Hogwarts socks that I am knitting for my first Hogwart Pal will be finished soon. I am knitting these on 2 circular needles. Every once in a while I get a hankering to knit socks on circulars. However, my preferred sock knitting method is on double-point needles.

When I knit on 2 circulars, I often forget where I am in a pattern sequence, at the beginning or the end. Since I already need 2 stitch markers to mark where the heel gusset ends and the instep begins on each needle, I devised dual-purpose stitch markers. Each marker has either the #1 on it for 1rst needle or a #2 on it for second needle. I put one on one needle and the other on the second needle. Now I can knit mindlessly!

Show and Tell Friday

Today is SHOW AND TELL FRIDAY for the Hogwarts Sock Swap. All participants in the swap earn 5 House Points for posting a progress picture of the socks they are knitting for their Hogwarts Pal. The Slytherins are currently in the lead with my House, Gryffindor, following closely behind.

The HUFFLEPUFF colors are black and yellow so I'm obviously knitting for a Hufflepuff! There are 30 Hufflepuffs in the swap so if you are a Hufflepuff reader these socks may be for you!

PATTERN: Horcrux Socks

YARN: Louet Opal Sportweight

NEEDLE SIZE: 2.25mm

I prefer to knit both socks at the same time but not on circular needles. These are Dobby socks, mirror image, of each other. I would have no qualms about wearing mis-matched socks in public so I am hoping my Hogwarts Pal is not uneasy about this. I decided that if one is brave enough to wear Hogwart socks then one would be brave enough to wear mis-matched socks! These socks should be finished and on my pal's feet by the Order of the Phoenix movie opening. That being said, I'm running dangerously close to running out of yarn and may need to order some more.

I'm enjoying this pattern, however I will say that I have found two errors in it. In hindsight, I would change the heel. A stockinette heel is not my favorite heel and I don't think it will be very durible.

We are having incredible fun at Hogwarts these days! Round TWO of the Hogwarts Sock Swap will run August 1- October 31. If you think you might want to participate then mark your calendar for the July 14th sign-up day -- it will fill up fast! BTW, the Hogwarts Deputy Headmistress is awesome!

What's this? A Gryf Sock?

GRYFFINDOR?

I have been incredibly busy but it hasn't been this GRYFFINDOR sock that has kept me so.

My lack of posts has not been because I have been knitting, although there has been 'some' knitting, but not much.

My lack of posts has been completely due to the scheme I had to get my soon-to-graduate daughter to dive into the world of knitting socks and sock swaps. I didn't really think this clever little idea of mine would completely take over my life. Nor did I realize how many Harry Potter fanatics there were in the world of knitting! But, I quickly found out. The Hogwarts Sock Swap exploded within days of listing. In fact, I turned the sign-ups off after only ten days because we had already reached 100 participants. And THIS is why I have not had time to post on my blog or look at any of YOUR blogs for two weeks. I've been busy sorting, well I guess the Sorting Hat did the sorting, these eager knitters into their Hogwart Houses and giving them a pal to knit socks for.

The whirlwhind is over. The Prefects have been assigned. Life should get back to normal. And blogging should resume................SOON!

As for Jennifer - she was the last to join the Hogwarts Sock Swap, but she JOINED! And, I finally convinced her to set up a blog. Three more weeks and she will fall into the wonderful world of knitting bloggers and actually have time in her life to knit, the very best hobby in the world!

Hogwarts Sock Swap Questionnaire

1. What Hogwarts house have you been sorted into?
Gryffindor 2. Shoe size? 8

3. Foot Length? 9.75"

4. Foot Circumference? 9"

5. List your three favorite double-point needle brands, including size and length.

Pony Pearl, 2.00mm, 5-3/4" long

Crystal Palace Bamboo, 2.00mm, 6" long

Addi Natura, 2.00mm, shorter length

6. Would you like to try a new brand needle? If so, which brand? Size? Length?

I'm not hankering to try anything new since those listed above are tried and true. If I must try something new perhaps it can be the Plymouth Bamboo.

7. If you are a RAVENCLAW, do you prefer the colors in the film or the book? Do you have a strong preference?

Doesn't apply to this Gryffindor girl

8. Are you willing to have an international Hogwarts Sock Pal?

Most definitely!

Now if you think you've missed all the fun

fear not, don't be so glum!

Walk, don't jog

for sign-ups are still going on at the Hogwarts Blog!