Tuesday, September 1, 2009

Fibery Progress


One finished project! YAY! These are my first handspun socks, in a 48 stitch plain sock, top down on size 2 needles, 2 at a time. Spun from Dragonfibers (merino, bamboo and nylon).
I was going for a normal weight sock, but I ended up with a heavy sock which will be nice with Crocs and boots this winter. I used a regular 3 ply for them and I thought I was spinning sooooooo thin. Live and learn, and the funny thing is that one sock is much lighter weight than the other. I have enough yarn left to probably knit a third sock to keep as a spare and it might match one or the other of the socks. I can't really remember whether I spun thinner at the end, or at the beginning. So much for conscious spinning and knitting.


Washed and skeined up, below is the finished yarn from the Pagewood Farms fiber, in the color Maple Leaf. The label only said "wool", but it was soft and lovely to spin. They are both 3 ply but notice the difference navajo plying makes with the colors in the smaller skein. Soon (?) to be mittens. Maybe I will put a crochet edging around the cuffs with the smaller skein......



The Target Practice socks are making progress. I did have to frog back the heel once, because it was totally wonky.

I am a little concerned about the size of the socks. I measured exactly and had even gone down to size 0 needles, but as you can see, they look a little big for a women's medium. Since these are my first short-row heels, maybe when I rejoin with the instep stitches, it draws up and gets a smaller length to the foot. Anyone have any experience with short row heels?? I am glad I didn't try to do these 2 at a time since I would have spent even more time frogging back. Tonight I may get to start on the tops and see how that pattern does it thing. To be continued.

And, last but certainly not least, is some spinning goodness developing on my wheel. As a reminder, this is the fiber: Targhee wool in the color, Bouquet from JulieSpins. I am quite addicted to her fiber as I have mentioned before.



The top bobbin is from the outside of the roving and the second bobbin is from the inside. It hardly looks like the same batch! I split the entire roving in half lengthwise, and will 2-ply it which should result somewhat in some stripes. Of course it is my perogative to change my mind and navajo ply it to maintain the variation of colors and make clearer stripes. Another to be continued.......

8 comments:

bunnits said...

Lovely fiber and beautiful yarn. I really enjoyed looking. The socks look really soft.

kate said...

Those handspun socks are amazing! That is my spinning goal- to spin for socks! How long did it take you from start to finish? I just love the socks!

Iron Needles said...

You have been so creative and busy. I haven't knit anything but dishclothes for soooo long, and my wheel has been gathering dust! Just so much going on in other areas.

Terri said...

I love your handspun handknit socks. The random colors of a simply knit handspun socks are my very favorite.

Sarah {The Student Knitter} said...

Oh my gosh I am so jealous of your sock knitting AND your spinning, two things that I can't (the first) and haven't been able (the second) to do! :D

Thanks for sharing!

M.E. Greene said...

I've been knitting for nearly 24 years, but I've always had a hankering to learn to spin and have yet to try it out. A friend gave me a drop spindle a few years ago (ok, ten years ago) and I haven't even tried using THAT! Sheesh. Someday I think I'll really take a break from my knitting to learn to spin. Lovely fibers like these inspire me. yummy!

Have a fabulous day!
-Marie
http://permissiontounwind.blogspot.com

inkberryblue said...

Gorgeous work.
You are clever! =>

~ Phyllis ~ said...

Hey Lizzsknits,
Your socks are lovely. I love the colors. You have done a great job.
On my blog you left a comment about the lavender buds, I plan on making a lavender sachet with them.