Happy Saturday, folks!

I’m sure many of you aren’t really logging in this weekend, as you’re in the midst of reading your new Harry Potter books. I received my Hogwarts Sock Swap package last night, and will wow you with the pretties later. The light wasn’t cooperating last night, so I’ve no photos yet.

As for me, I HAVE the new HP book, but I can’t read it just yet. I have a horrible time remembering the details (read: major plot lines) of any book. So, I’m re-reading HP 6 to remember where we are before I go on. Besides, it’s a good thing to do while knitting my hubby’s big ol’ socks.

Have a great weekend, everyone!

I seem to have slipped and hit the sign up button for the second round of this swap on my way to the floor. Oh, dear.

Hogwarts 2nd Year Questionnaire:

1. What Hogwarts house have you been sorted into? Hufflepuff. Absolutely no idea how that happened. I briefly contemplated citing Slytherin or Ravelclaw just for the colors, but that would be cheating. 2. Shoe size? Foot length? Foot circumference? US 6, 9 1/4 inches (23.5 cm) long, 8 inches (20.3 cm) around.

3. List your three favorite sock yarns.

Can I be honest here? I haven’t USED a lot of sock yarn yet. The one I’ve used more than any other is the sock yarn from Dave at Cabin Cove Mercantile. If it’s superwash, or a superwash blend, I’m in. My skin reacts in a violent way to all other animal fibers, with the possible exception of alpaca, which I haven’t tried. So, please no blends that contain mohair, angora, or wool that has not been superwash-treated. My tootsies thank you.

4. Would you like to try a new brand of sock yarn? If so, which brand?

Hmmm. I’ve heard lovely things about Cherry Tree Hill, but I haven’t tried them yet.

5. Do you prefer variegated or solid sock yarn?

I lean toward variegation within a color family / almost solid if I’m working anything intricate, so that the pattern will show well. Truth be told, if the colors are pretty, I’ll buy it even if it’s wild. Wild socks match everything.

6. What colors would you like to add to your sock yarn stash?

I need more blues. I wouldn’t turn my nose up at a darkish red. Ooh, green is nice. Purple is one of my favorite colors. I love color. Anything, anything!

7. What kind of sock patterns do you gravitate toward? Lace? Ribbed? Fair Isle?

I love it all. I like highly textured and complex socks. I’d love to do something along the lines of the Bird Foot socks. Intricate cables or lace would be fun, too.

8. Do you have any allergies? (smoke, animals, etc.)

I have animal allergies. Fur or feathers? I’m allergic. That said, I have found a stray cat hair or two in some of my hand-dyed purchased yarn, and it hasn’t affected me at all.

I DO have a strong skin reaction to non-superwash wool and other animal fibers. Oh, did I mention that already? I’ll hush now.

9. Will your socks be exposed to cigarette smoke or animals as you knit them?

Nope! But, let me know if you’re allergic to 7-year-old boy. They’ll be exposed to a bunch.

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

Absolutely!

Hi y’all. If it seems like I just took off, it’s because I did. If I could contrive a way to live in the mountains here in NC, I would. Just look at this sky.

The family and I went on a little camping trip to the mountains. It was great fun, complete with knitting time around the campfire. The photo above was taken from a mountain meadow, where we were nearly in the clouds. The sock I was knitting was too complex to do in the dark*, so I ended up knitting this in the evenings:

A plain MDK baby bib. It’s in need of some embellishment and a button to fasten it around the little cherub’s neck. Anyone know where I can find a pattern for a crocheted froggie patch or some such? I’ll have to go on a search.

And, I finished up my first River Valley sock shortly before we left. Here it is, lying about in its native environment. The lovely yarn is from Cabin Cove Mercantile – the Inkblot colorway.

I’m ready to go back now, please.

* It freaks the muggles out when you knit in the dark around a campfire. Each evening, a different person would ask, “How can you see what you’re doing?” Easy enough to answer – I can’t!