GB Socks Away KAL 17

Yes the GB Socks Away KAL is returning for a third year! The chatter has already started in the BritYarn Ravelry Group but don't worry as we don't cast on until Friday 22nd September 2017.  There is plenty of time to place that little BritYarn order or to have a stash or patten rummage. Also in the chatter thread are the rules but for those that have taken part previously they are the same as previous years. 

A selection of socky yarns available at BritYarn

There will be prizes for both FO's and for chatter.   If you have never knit socks before come and join us.  This KAL in previous years has been the starting point for lots of new sock knitters.  Also it is not just knitting socks..... crochet socks are of course always welcome.  

For pattern ideas you can browse the special sock section of the BritYarn website.

Look forward to chatting with you in the BritYarn Ravelry Group.

The Great British Pattern Pick - Winter by Jo Milmine

Welcome to the third Great British Pattern Pick at BritYarn. In this series of blog posts, we’re aiming to bring you some of the best British-based design talent out there at the moment. We’ll also give you some suggestions as to which lovely yarns you could use for the project. All of our pattern enabling is fully compliant with BritYarn’s Woolly Principles, so you can be sure you’re shopping local!

Knit Me by Louise Zass-Bangham 

I’m not sure about you, but Autumn seems to have flown past in barely a flurry of golden leaves and we’re already on the downhill slope to Christmas! No doubt some of you will be feverishly working on gifts for loved ones or a well-deserved project for yourself. Although it’s a hectic time of year, there’s nothing quite like indulging in a new cast-on over the festive period. With that in mind, let’s dive in to some cosy knits to enjoy with a hot chocolate.

The perfect accompaniment to yarns variegated and solid, Knit Me by Louise Zass-Bangham is a great go-to pattern. An easy knit, it shows off a jazzy yarn to its best effect, yet still has enough interest for a semi-solid to shine. There’s always a use for a scarf to keep the chill off your neck when doing your Christmas shopping. Avoid that freeze/thaw feeling you get from walking in and out of baking hot shops to the outside by choosing something a little lighter weight.

Louise loves hand dyed yarns and specifically designs her patterns to show off their individual beauty and character, so for this pattern I’d go for Mobberley 4ply from Yarns From The Plain. 

Ok, so I know this is sort of cheating as I’m giving you a whole book of patterns here, but you really can’t go wrong with a range of hats when it comes to winter. They keep off the chill and keep your head dry if you’re unexpectedly caught in a quick rain shower. Making a hat statement is easy with this collection of nine designs, including a scarf and mitts pattern. 

Brighten up a gloomy season by opting for the West Yorkshire Spinners Signature 4ply Sugar and Spice range. With a wide range of colours to choose from, you’re sure to be able to create a combination to dazzle.

If colourwork hats are not your thing, consider adding some chunky texture to your wardrobe with the Kyla hat by Katya Frankel. This slouchy beret with honeycomb cabled detail would be perfect to ward off the chill, particularly in a snuggly alpaca yarn. For this, I’d go for the UK Alpaca Baby Alpaca and Silk blend, which would add a touch of shine to proceedings from the silk content, not to mention beautiful drape. For a natural coloured alternative, the Lincoln Longwool DK would be a good choice and a great way to try a breed yarn in a smaller project.

Kyla
Image used with kind permission from Katya Frankel

Sound the cute kid in knitwear alert! And what could be better than a nifty little waistcoat with minimal seaming? Although it’s modelled by a lovely wee chappie, this could easily be a unisex piece and there are lots of options for customising the design to your choice. Yarn-wise, you simply can’ go wrong with West Yorkshire Spinners Aire Valley Aran. It comes in a variety of colours, is machine washable and is at a really competitive price point.

Peop Pie by Joeli's Kitchen.
Image used with kind permission from Desire2Phorography

If you’re fretting about fitting in some last-minute gift knitting or want something truly warm to snuggle down into, why not get a ‘Big, Thick, Warm and Quick’ on the needles? Kat Goldin’s free pattern for a garter stitch cowl would even warm the White Witch of Narnia in super chunky yarn. Erika Knight Maxi Wool would be the perfect match for this (there’s even an icy blue for Jadis!) and it’s sure to be a staple accessory during the winter months. 

Big, Thick, Warm and Quick by Kat Goldin
Image used with kind permission from Kat Goldin

Now we couldn’t possibly finish off a pattern pick this close to Christmas without adding in a little fun. The fabulously cute ‘Wesley Bob’ by Ann Kingstone adds a tad of knitty chic to any Christmas tree. You can rattle up a load of these cost effectively and in a shade to complement any colour scheme, thanks to Jamieson and Smith’s 2ply Jumper Weight Shetland Wool. They are also a good way to try out a bit of colourwork if you’ve never done it before or make a satisfying quick knit for the more seasoned.

Wesley Bob by Ann Kingstone.
Image used with kind permission from Ann Kingston.

So there’s our festive pattern pick for winter. Hopefully you’ll be inspired to pick up the needles and cast on. I’ll be back in spring with some floaty and light patterns to welcome brighter days!

Jo

Bio

Jo Milmine is an award-winning podcaster, business owner and consultant in North West England. Through her consultancy, Jo works closely with independent dyers, designers and small producers, sharing her business and yarn expertise and supporting them to achieve their goals.

She owns The Golden Skein, the company that brings meticulously curated luxury yarn clubs showcasing the finest hand dyed yarn the world has to offer. 

Passionate about crafting (and comedy knitting patterns), you’ll find her podcasting as Shinybees, as well as on Ravelry, Twitter and Instagram as Shinybees. 

Website: www.shinybees.com

The Jacob Sheep

As November's Yarn of the Month is West Yorkshire Spinners Jacob, I thought it would be really interesting to find out a bit more about the sheep itself.  I am no expert so I have consulted two excellent books that I own, 'The Fleece & Fiber Sourcebook' by Deborah Robson and Carol Ekarius and Sue Blacker's 'Pure Wool'.  I have also looked at several websites and I will pop links to these at the bottom of this post.

The Jacob originated in the Middle East and is said to be the oldest breed of sheep in the world.  They were introduced to Great Britain during the 17th Century where they were kept to decorate the parklands of country estates due to their 'decorative' appearance.  

I presume this 'decorative' use was one of the reasons why numbers of Jacob sheep declined, as country houses and land were later sold off.  When the Rare Breed Survival Trust (RBST) was created in 1974 the Jacob was placed on their watch list as a minority breed.  

Image Details: Jacob's Ram by Dave Merrett via Flickr

Thanks to the work of The Jacob Sheep Society and the RBST the Jacob sheep is no longer on the watch list.  There are 8000 breeding sheep registered and around 3000 lambs registered annually.  Jacob can be found living all over Great Britain.  It is worth noting that in the U.S the Jacob is still classed as a rare breed.  It is also worth mentioning that due to different breeding programs in the two countries the British Jacob is much larger than its American relation.

Jacob are one of the most instantly recognisable sheep breeds.  They have a white fleece with, what the breed standard describes as, 'well defined' coloured patches.  For this reason alone the Wool Marketing Board classes them as 'coloured' sheep.  Both male and female sheep have between two and four horns.

So some Jacob fleece facts.......  
Handle: Medium with a good degree of springiness
Staple Length: 7.5cm - 18cm
Micron Count: 25 - 27.5 (Bluefaced Leicester is 26 - 26.5)
The breed standard advises that there should no little or no kemp in the fleece. 

West Yorkshire Spinners Jacob Aran

The different colours on the fleece can vary in texture and staple length and this is worth keeping in mind if you are purchasing fleece or wool from smaller flocks.  

The rise in Jacob sheep has allowed fleeces to be spun on a greater commercial basis such as the West Yorkshire Spinners Jacob that we stock. As a result of the blending larger numbers of fleeces the shades produced have more uniformity to them. 

Your can read more about the yarn in November's Yarn of the Month post. 

Jacob Sheep Society

Rare breeds Survival Trust 

I wrote about the Corriedale sheep here several month ago 

West Yorkshire Spinners Jacob Yarn of the Month November 2015

As November is the month of Wovember, a celebration of all things 100% wool our Yarn of the Month is West Yorkshire Spinners Jacob.

Despite Jacob sheep moving off the Rare Breeds Survival Trust watch list, it is still a yarn that you don't hear many people talking about.  Which is why I am delighted to invite three friends of BritYarn to share their thoughts and experience of knitting with this yarn along with my own.

West Yorkshire Spinners Jacob Aran

West Yorkshire Spinners Jacob is a pure breed yarn.  It is worsted spun and available in DK and Aran weights.   This yarn is quite lofty so looks thicker than other yarns of the same weight.  Both the DK and Aran are available in four undyed shades ranging from Ecru, to a deep rich brown.  As the natural shades get darker you can see more of a heathered effect.  

In the skein the yarn feels soft to the touch and to knit with it feels really pleasing and substantial.  I could wear it next to my skin but I know some people might need a layer underneath.  It is slightly loosely spun so I did have a few problems with cabling without a cable needle (it was also my first time which perhaps didn't help!) as I could not aways see my loose stitches clearly.  

I recently knitted Woolly Wormed's Lexie hat in Jacob Aran weight. The Lexie hat was the perfect project for seeing how the yarn behaved due to the different sections of the design.  
In the skein you can see some longer fibres which gave my finished Lexie hat a slight halo.  
The textured moss stitch and cable areas have amazing definition and if I turn the hat inside out the stocking stitch has me itching to cast on a winter jumper with this yarn!  It is also a very warm yarn and I know this hat will be used a lot this winter. 

I will now hand you over to three friends of BritYarn who have very kindly shared their thoughts on the West Yorkshire Spinners Jacob DK.  By coincidence they have all made cardigans!  

Neuroticbunnylady on Ravelry was the first person to buy Jacob yarn from BritYarn.  I followed with great excitement the progress of her Owls cardigan.

"I found Jacob DK a real pleasure to knit with, it is a little rustic feeling, but is also fairly soft. I found it knitted up into a lovely fabric, plus was extremely glad that if I dropped a stitch, it was extremely easy to pick that stitch up again, which has made me think I should try colourwork and maybe steeking with this yarn. The Jacob DK has amazing stitch definition, I am amazed at how well the lace pattern on the back of my cardigan shows up. 
As far as the finished cardigan goes, I find this yarn makes a very warm and snuggly garment, it is lovely to wear. I would have to say its become one of my favourite knits, and I would put a lot of that down to how the Jacob DK has knitted up into a really nice looking and feeling fabric."

Doksi used the yarn to knit her Scollay Along KAL cardigan.....

"The West Yorkshire Spinners Jacob DK is not the softest yarn you could image. So if you are very sensitive I wouldn't recommend this yarn.

But if you like a little course and woolly feeling in a yarn this will give you fine texture and durable clothes. I have no problems to wear it next to skin. And after I got my cardigan ready, I have worn it almost every day - no pills at all.

I found it much thicker than what I would call DK".

Last but no means least is MmedeBeavoir, who is on the final stretch of knitting a Portage cardigan.

"The Portage pattern had been calling to me for ages; but, as with all such projects, which yarn to use? I dithered and pondered and swatched with what I had in my (admittedly considerable) stash, but didn’t find the perfect yarn. I wanted something warm and soft and squishy, but I also had it in my head that I wanted to knit a natural, undyed British wool that was traceable and sustainably produced. 

There’s so much to love about Jacobs wool. It’s sturdy without being coarse, soft without being slippery, and it knits up beautifully: the stitch definition is gorgeous and the honeycomb stitch that makes up the back panel of the Portage cardigan is gloriously squishy. The result is both understated and striking. Looking closely at the knit, you notice the natural heathered look to the wool, the beautiful twist in the yarn… Plus it smells slightly sheepy, which is how wool should smell! For sweaters and cardigans, it’s the perfect choice."

I hope you have found this post interesting.  If you fancy learning more about breed specific yarns Louise at KnitBritish is currently holding a Breed Swatch Along in her Ravelry Group.

Sock and Yarn Ideas for the Great British Socks Away KAL

Have you decided on what socks and yarn you will be casting on for our GB Socks Away KAL?

Here are some of my favourites sock patterns and yarns if you are still undecided (as I am).

If you are new to sock knitting and fancy joining in the KAL you might want to have a look at Sock Anatomy by Clare Devine.  The book includes nine designs sized from baby to adults.  East design looks at a different technique and there are lots of diagrams to support you.  It is also a great book if you want to learn about different sock construction methods.  All the patterns use West Yorkshire Spinners Signature 4 ply, a great value British sock yarn which comes in a wide range of shades.

Another brilliant pattern is Rye, a free pattern by Tin Can Knits.  The socks are worked in Aran weight yarn and the super Tin Can Knit ladies have created some tutorials to accompany the design.  I think these would be great for wearing around the house to keep your feet warm and would be particular toasty in the WYS Bluefaced Leicester Aran.  If you don't fancy making adult size socks the pattern covers baby and children sizes also.

Rye by Tin Can Knits.
Image used with kind permission from Tin Can Knits

If you are looking for a book that will take you through a range of skill levels then Rachel Coopey's Coop Knit Socks V2 fits the bill.  Included in the book are twelve designs ranging from Dave, a plain top down sock to the pretty cables and twisted stitches of Eula.  These socks would look simply stunning in The Knitting Goddess Britsock.  If you were looking for a yarn which contained no nylon, Blacker Yarns Classic 4 ply fits the bill.

Britsock in the Tiffany colourway

When I looked on Ravelry there were 24,535 entries for sock patterns!  Here are a few links to my favourites.

• If you fancy making some crochet socks Ravelry has a large selection including Lounge Around Socks by Sarah Reed. 

• Joeli Caparco's Toasty Explorer Socks have been in my Ravelry favourites since the pattern was released.  These would make excellent hiking socks as they are made in a DK weight yarn.  Joeli has made herself a pair in the WYS Aire Valley yarn.

Joeli's Toasty Explorer Socks

• I tackled my first afterthought heel with these next socks.  It is Rosthwaite by Louise Tilbrook.  The design features easy cables which look really effective.  I made mine in West Yorkshire Spinners Signature 4 ply.

My Rosthwaite Socks

I also hear that Karie Westermann will soon be releasing her sock patterns which she designed for the Old Maiden Aunt Sock Club earlier this year.  

I hope that has helped you on your way to choosing what to cast on for the #GBsocksawaykal.  The sign up thread is open so pop over and share what you will be starting on the 1st October.

The Great British Pattern Pick Autumn 2015 by Jo Milmine

Welcome to the second Great British Pattern Pick at BritYarn. In this series of blog posts, we’re aiming to bring you some of the best British-based design talent out there at the moment. We’ll also give you some suggestions as to which lovely yarns you could use for the project. All of our pattern enabling is fully compliant with BritYarn’s Woolly Principles, so you can be sure you’re shopping local!

The equinox has been and gone, and although we’re still enjoying the final, fitful bursts of the British summertime, thoughts are already turning to cooler weather. As the nights draw in and the promise of (yet more) knitwear weather, the mind drifts to pumpkins, turning leaves and cosying up in front of a roaring fire. Chunky knitting weather may well not quite have arrived yet, so in this edition, we’re looking at transitional pieces for the changing seasons. 

Scollay by Karie Westermann

Unless you’re been hiding under a rock, you’ll already know about the fabulous Scollay-along that BritYarn is hosting, along with Louise of KnitBritish podcast. I’m sure you’re already taking part, but if you need a little more encouragement, let me tempt you with this combo.

Scollay by Karie Westermann is a perfect cardigan to take you into Autumn. With the pretty lace detailing and straightforward construction, it’ll be an item that is as fun to knit as it is to wear. You can layer up whilst kicking through piles of fallen leaves with your pumpkin spiced latté or ward off a chill whilst on a country walk, before heading to the pub for a hearty meal. Yarn-wise, you could opt for Blacker’s West Country Tweed, to replicate that heathered look in the original sample. I’d recommend to silky lustre of Wensleydale Longwool Sheep Shop in Ruby, a colour recently added to the BritYarn line-up.

Earl Grey by Clare Devine

What’s Autumn about if it isn’t versatile accessories with beautifully cabled details to snuggle into? Step forward Clare Devine with the Earl Grey Duo. Timeless texture is sure to be popular both with the knitwear fanatic and the fashion-forward. The big question is: to pom, or not to pom?

If you want a real treat for this project, why not try the fabulous Chilla Valley Alpacas Alpaca and Lambswool, a single-farm blend of 70% Alpaca and 30% Shetland? This special yarn would have bags of fluffy warmth. For the more budget-conscious, opt for West Yorkshire Spinners Aire Valley Aran: a great workhorse yarn in a wide range of colours.

Lamitra Copyright Woolly Wormhead

If you have a penchant for lovely, handpainted yarns, you’ll always be on the hunt for patterns that showcase these yarns to their best effect. Luckily for us, the fabulous Woolly Wormhead has created an entire collection of hats that do just that, in Painted Woolly Toppers. A current favourite is Lamitra, a slouchy beret/tam with an eye-catching, rotating eyelet and garter stitch detail. The collection was designed to celebrate handpainted yarns; that being said, this design would work equally well in a solid as it would a variegated yarn. For a lively effect, choose Yarns From The Plain Mobberly 4ply in ‘Blackpool Illuminations’, or opt for the more tonally variegated ‘Ironbridge’ for a more subtle result.

Rainbow Pipes and Linen Stitch Socks Copyright Aurélie Colas

Socks are a great project to have on the needles any time of the year and they are also an ideal way to try out new techniques on a smaller canvas. You’d have to be made of stone to not see yourself in a pair of the gorgeous Rainbow Pipes and Linen Stitch Socks by Aberdeenshire-based Aurélie Colas. Not only do they look great, but you can expand your sock knitting repertoire a little at the same time!

Luckily, there’s a plethora of mini skein sets dyed by Joy at The Knitting Goddess in Harrogate available from BritYarn, along with a good selection of main contrast colours dyed on Britsock. This yarn is 100% British, including the 20% Nylon content, added for strength. What’s not to love?

Colossus Copyright Eden Cottage Yarns

Not quite cold enough for a full DK cardigan? Get your tank on to keep your core warm whilst allowing the arms to stay free, for those days when the weather doesn’t know what it’s doing. Knitted in the lustrous and silky Eden Cottage Yarns Milburn 4ply (and part of BritYarn’s featured pattern collection for August) Colossus is an intricately cabled tank. Style it over a shirt for a more formal look, or throw it over a plain, long-sleeved tee for more casual occasions.

Milburn 4ply would be the optimal choice for this pattern, but if you need a more cost effective alternative, consider the West Yorkshire Spinners Signature 4ply.

Fuss Free Baby Cardigan Image Copyright Louise Tilbrook

Whilst we’re keeping warm, it’s also important to keep the smaller folk in our life toasty as well. With its simple, button down detail, the Fuss Free Baby Cardigan by Louise Tilbrook is a great option for this. It’s a free pattern for a cardigan that goes up to size 3-6 months, making it a perfect baby shower or new arrival gift. Coming in at under 100g of DK, it’s fantastic for stash busting and very easy on the pocket if you do need to buy yarn.

Being a huge fan of babies in bright knitwear, the West Yorkshire Spinners Aire Valley DK range gives a huge range of colour options at a very competitive price point. For a more traditional, muted palette, with a touch of luxury, UK Alpaca Baby Alpaca and Silk DK would fit the bill nicely. Supremely soft, this yarn would also be a superb choice for an heirloom blanket for the precious bundle.

That’s the round up of Autumn patterns for you. I’ll be back in Winter with some more great British designers and yarns!

Bio

Jo Milmine is a podcaster and blogger based in Scotland. She co-owns The Golden Skein, the company that brings meticulously curated luxury yarn clubs showcasing the finest hand dyed yarn the world has to offer. 

Through her bespoke consultancy business Jo works closely with independent dyers, sharing her business and yarn expertise and supporting them to achieve their goals.

Passionate about crafting (and comedy knitting patterns), you’ll find her podcasting as Shinybees, as well as on Ravelry, Twitter and Instagram as Shinybees. 

Website: www.shinybees.com

West Yorkshire Spinners Aire Valley DK Yarn of the Month July 15

Hello, how are you all?  This month's yarn is West Yorkshire Spinners Aire Valley DK.

Fibre: 75% mixed British wool 25% Nylon
Grown: Great Britain
Spun: Keighley, West Yorkshire GB
Dyed: Keighley, West Yorkshire GB

The yarn comes in 100g balls and there is 230 metres / 252 yards to a ball.  As you can see there is a great selection of colours available.  

Below are two swatches I knit using this yarn, a stocking stitch swatch and a basket weave swatch. If you want a closer look at how the Aire Valley DK looks in a lacy pattern I wrote about my Tin Can Knits Vivid squares here.  These two swatches were both knit using 4mm needles. 

WYS Aire Valley DK Unblocked

WYS Aire Valley DK Unblocked

The yarn is smooth and easy to work with and the added nylon makes this a hard wearing yarn.  Below are the after blocking photographs (I didn't pin these out to block but I did pin my Vivid Squares).  The stocking stitch swatch has evened out and lays much better and the swatches feel soft enough to wear next to the skin.

WYS Aire Valley DK Blocked

WYS Aire Valley DK Blocked

My blocked Vivid Squares

The WYS Aire Valley range has the added bonus of being machine washable. It is perfect for children's and adult's garments alike (including the Scollay cardigan) and for knitting and crochet projects around the home.  It also works brilliantly for socks!  

Joeli from Joeli's Kitchen recently published a new design Toasty Explorer Socks which are made using a DK yarn.  The pattern comes in five sizes ranging from toddler to large adult.  Joeli is currently knitting herself a pair using West Yorkshire Spinners Aire Valley in the Rainbow shade and using white for the cuff, heel and toe.

Toasty Explorer Socks by Joeli's Kitchen.
Image used with kind permission from Joeli's Kitchen.

West Yorkshire Spinners have a pattern book Quintessential DK to compliment the yarn. The book contains twelve patterns including designs for men, women and children.  Each design has several options included.  I really want to make this jumper from the book.......

Quintessential DK Image courtesy of WYS 

Quintessential DK Image courtesy of WYS

 ..... and I think this is really cute hat and top in the Rainbow shade! 

If you are looking for a multi purpose British yarn which is great value for money (£4.75 a ball for the solid shades and £4.95 for the multi coloured shades) then you can't beat WYS Aire Valley DK. 

Have you made anything with this wool?  I would love to hear from you if you have!  

p.s. we are due to receive more Aire Valley in the next few days so if we are out of stock in a shade you want keep checking back.

Sock Anatomy by Clare Devine

I was super excited at the start of this week when Clare Devine's new Sock Anatomy landed at BritYarn HQ.  Clare has fully updated this edition which now includes adult as well as children's sizes, meaning you can cast on socks for everyone!  

Brevis - the Books cover model 

Sock Anatomy is different to other sock books.  In each of the nine designs it dissects a different heel and toe technique which is great for both new and experienced sock knitters alike.  In the 'Construction' chapter there are lots of really informative diagrams for the different methods and there is a chapter on techniques including how to handle wrap and turns.  I certainly wish I had this book when I first started knitting socks!  

Like all of Clare's designs, the patterns are clearly laid out with full size photographs for each sock plus close up images.  

All of my socks I have made so far have been using the cuff down method.  Clare's designs gave me the confidence and the encouragement I needed to cast on Planum, which are worked from the toe up.  I was amazed at how simple and easy it was!  No danger of getting your first few rows twisted.  Soon I was knitting away on the foot (to the point I got a bit carried away and had to rip them back a bit - whoops).

The eagle eyed among you may recognised the yarn which Clare has used throughout the book.  All the socks have been designed and knit using West Yorkshire Spinners Signature 4 Ply, including one in Blue Tit, one of the Birds shades.

Sock Anatomy is available to buy here and is priced at £16 which includes a Ravelry download code.  We also have a selection of Clare's other designs available.

All images are used with the kind permission of Clare Devine. 

  

FO's Rosthwaite Socks and Vanilla Socks

I love knitting socks!  I started by first pair in 2013 and have not looked back.  Here are two of 2015's sock FO's.  

The first to be finished this year was Rosthwaite by Louise Tilbrook.  Back in September 2014 Louise hosted a 'Sock Design Challenge', inviting her blog readers and members of her Ravelry group to vote on a series of sock design questions.  Louise gathered the results and created a pattern to reflect the winning votes.  The result was Rosthwaite! 

In keeping with the colours used in the pattern I decided to use West Yorkshire Spinners Signature 4ply in Nutmeg.  I had originally planned to use Butterscotch for the toes and heels but I had a late change of heart and opted for Blueberry Bon Bon instead!

I really enjoyed making these socks.  The pattern is interesting but easy enough to memorise.  They were also my first socks with an afterthought (forethought) heel.  Louise included some helpful links to tutorials in the pattern.  I couldn't believe how straightforward and quick the heel was.

Louise's other patterns can be found on Ravelry.  Many of her sock designs are written for both cuff down and toe up. I think this is brilliant especially if you prefer one way over the other.  

I also finished my first pair of man size socks!  After making several pairs for myself Mr D expressed an interest in having a pair of knitted socks!  He choose Pheasant, one of the West Yorkshire Spinners Signature 4 ply Birds range for his.  I am overjoyed to report that Mr D is a knitted sock convert and has requested more!  

Don't forget you can share your British yarn projects over on the BritYarn Ravelry Group or on Twitter and Instagram.  I would love to hear all about your sock adventures!