An inspired new sock weight yarn.
Welcome, Penelope! As the newest addition to our Superfine family, Penelope is an answer to the question from many of our crafters, who’ve asked for more lightest-weight yarn options. Lovely Penelope comes as a knitted chainette hank. But give the thread a tug to unravel, and poof! Sock weight yarn. One hank works up into a pair of adult socks, but this yarn is fabulous for shawls, fingerless gloves, any lacy project.
By the Numbers
Penelope is a blend of polyamide and wool, the lion’s share being wool (75%). The Polyamide guarantees durability and washability – anything worked up in Penelope can be machine washed & dried, for your convenience! Each hank weights 3.5oz (100g), and unravels to 459yd (420m). The weight is 1 Superfine. For a crochet gauge, 4″ x 4″ is 28sts and 34 rows = 4″ (10cm) in single crochet with a C-2 (2.75mm) hook. For knitters, a 4″ x 4″ gauge is 31sts and 40 rows = 4″ (10cm) in stocking st on US 1 (2.25mm) needles.
A color odyssey.
Penelope is available in 7 colors, with mythical names to describe their magical color properties.
If you’re a literature buff you’ve probably heard of Homer, who wrote two epic poems, The Iliad & The Odyssey. In the second, his main character Odysseus journeys far from home. The name Penelope is an homage to Odysseus’ wife, who held down their fort while he was away at sea.
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- Homer
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- Odysseus
Calypso is a nymph, who falls in love with Odysseus and detains him on an island for seven years (!).
Once freed, he runs into some trouble with Poseidon, the god of the sea.
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- Calyspo
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- Poseidon
Hard to believe, but had more trouble at sea!
The Sirens sing bewitching songs to lure the sailors toward deadly rocks, he survives an attack by a six-headed monster called Scylla, and Zeus himself destroys the ship, leaving Odysseus as the only survivor.
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- Siren
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- Scylla
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- Zeus
These fantastical names and characters have inspired our amazing color variations. There’s a hand-dyed quality to them, making each project unique, depending on your choice of pattern. From vibrant, to more sensible, any of these options will work up into a memorable project.
Take an odyssey of your own with these free patterns!
While we don’t have any Penelope-specific patterns (yet), we’d love to suggest some of other patterns of the appropriate weight. Any of these would be made magnificent by Penelope’s winding colors.
Socks, for the weary wanderer:
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- Men’s Crochet Socks
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- Striped Ribbed Socks Pattern (Knit)
The Men’s Crochet Socks & Striped Ribbed Socks Pattern (Knit) are both free patterns on our website.
They’re both Level 5 – Experienced, but if you run into trouble, you can always stop by the Sock Hop hosted monthly at our Manhattan Studio!
Sweaters, for the brave seafarer:
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- Cuffed Poncho (Knit)
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- Gossamer Cowl Pullover (Knit)
These lovey knits, the Cuffed Poncho & Gossamer Cowl Pullover, would come to life in a whole new way when worked up in Penelope! Either of these would be an epic we’d love to read about (or better yet, see pictures!).
Accessories, worthy of a Siren song:
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- Sunnyside Cowl (Knit)
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- Safran Shrug (Knit)
The Sunnyside Cowl & Safran Shrug are two gorgeous pieces that would bring magic to any outfit.
Come home to Penelope.
We hope you’re as inspired as we are by the myth & the magic of this special new yarn. If you’ve already picked up a hank of Penelope, we’d love to hear what you think as you’re working it up! Please tag us on Instagram to share photos, and we’ll keep you posted as we offer new patterns just for Penelope.
Discover 6,000+ free patterns, explore how-to tutorials & videos, and order Lion Brand yarns and products online…
In the second paragraph, “By the Numbers”, you say “Each hank weights 3.5g (100oz)”. I think you mean to say that 100g = 3.5oz.
100 ounces of wool would make a very large pair of socks!! 😉
Linda, thank you – good looking out! Must have been wishful thinking… 🙂
I would like to see a project knitted with this yarn, I can’t quite picture how the color changes will happen.
What kind of wool? It matters you know!!! I can only use Marino. I am allergic to all other kinds. Please be considerate and list the contents accurately.
Will you have a selection at the outlet in NJ? Thanks
Linda Quick
Hi, Linda – For questions about outlet availability, it’s always best to give them a call directly to get the most up-to-date information. Their number is: 201-939-0611.
Will do. Thanks
The colors are amazing. The hanks look like they are worked up in stockinette stitch. Do you unravel them to wind into a yarn cake? I’ve never seen a hank that looks like this before. Thanks.
We suggest you unravel first, & then wind however you prefer. 🙂
Thank you, I was also wondering about unraveling & winding before using.
Does this yarn need to be wound into a ball before ising beIN it separates as you are knitting socks. Need more information
I hate tablets that decide how to spell things!!!
Could you use this yarn in its non-unravelled state? How many yards is it before you pull it apart and what size would it be, i.e. bulky, super bulky?
If you do unravel it, roughly how long are the colour changes? It would be very useful to show a couple of swatches both here and on your site when you have a yarn with colour changes so we could get an idea of how it works up. I’ve been disappointed in the past with yarns that changed colours either more frequently or less often than I was expecting which has an effect on the overall look of whatever you’re making.
Just as an aside, I would switch the names of ‘Homer’ and ‘Calypso’ –
the colours of the yarn don’t really match the backstory of the characters very well as they are. 😉 I do really like that the whole line is named after the woman who held things together while hubby was out messing up all over the place!! I’m not sure if it was an intended or unintended outcome that puts both Calypso and the Sirens as ‘under’ and so subservient to Penelope, the wife of the man they are leading astray. If intended, that’s a nice touch!
Hi, Linda – You can use the yarn in it’s unraveled state, though it’s been suggested by Studio staff that you won’t get too far (we don’t have info on the yardage). It’d be considered Jumbo! I’m not sure if you follow us on instagram, but we’ll be sharing a photo tomorrow showing the beginnings of a double-pointed needle project, and you can see a bit better how the colors shift. We’re @lionbrandstudio on instagram! I love your interest in the Odyssey elements, I love the name, too! 🙂
First, I absolutely love the colors! About time you guys came out with a new sock weight yarn! But second, I kinda don’t know how to feel about having to unravel it as I knit. I’ve seen dye your sock blanks and the like, but never used one. I honestly feel like it would be so tedious for me to have to either knit directly from it, or unravel it into a ball first, or perhaps even having to soak it first because of the kinks! Ugh… They’re just so pretty though and the price is good too.
I’m willing to try the yarn, but need more info on it.. thank you
See our reply to your next comment!
I’ve never knitted socks before. Kinda scared, since i’m a newbie in knitting. Willing to learn though..
Hi, Juanita – You could definitely use this yarn for any light weight project! Don’t feel confined to just socks. 🙂 But, if you’re in the New York metro area, you’re welcome to come to one of our monthly Sock Hops, where we focus on sock knitting & crocheting for the evening!
Thx
You’re welcome! 🙂
I appreciate that you’ve taken the time to introduce your new yarn, but I’m very upset that there’s not one crocheted item suggested! You can’t alienate an entire group of crafters like this! Shame on you Lion Brand!
Hi, Joann – The Men’s Crochet Socks are a crochet pattern for sure, and we’d definitely recommend them for anybody! Here’s a link to more crochet patterns with this weight yarn: .
Funny- I seem to see more crochet patterns than knit in the emails I get and I don’t crochet! Too bad the sites don’t have a way to choose “All” “crochet” or “knit” patterns then I wouldn’t fall in love with a photo only to find out I can’t make it.
Hi, Marie – on our Lion Brand website, when searching patterns, you can select your preferred craft, and the results should be accurate (once in a while, a pattern for the other craft sneaks in!).
Hello, I thanks you for giving the link to the crochet men’s socks pattern, but I was wondering if you have a pattern for ladies knee-high socks. I like to wear them a lot under my long trousers but cannot always find them in stores, so I would like to make some for myself.
And do you know of a way to bring some “elastic” in it so they don’t slip down all the time? Thank you very much.
[…] you read our recent post introducing Penelope, you know we’re over the moon about our new superfine beauty. On our needles this month are […]
[…] Our Penelope Yarn is new this year, and has been an instant-favorite with sock-makers. It’s comfortable and durable, because it’s a wool & polyamide blend, with 75% wool. And it comes in hanks, which can be unraveled for use. Each hank weighs 3.5oz (100g) and unravels to 459yds (420cm). For more about the myth behind the names, check out our blog from earlier this year. […]