Knittin' mittens for ma kittens!

Friday, March 23, 2007

Socky Friday

Well, I have taken a break from my spinning wheel for the past few weeks, and as a result I've gotten back to my first love--knitting my little heart out.

Completed Inside-Out socks

Completed Blue Moon Fiber Arts Rockin' Sock Club socks, in the EXCLUSIVE "Monsoon" colorway JUST FOR CLUB MEMBERS. (Why yes, inciting jealousy in others enhances my own pleasure, why do you ask?) I finished a pair of socks in (for me) record time--about a week and a half. They're February's "Inside Out!" socks, though the package didn't actually get to me until March...I reeeeally hope we all get our packages in April this time, as after getting this kit, I am DYING for the next one!

Closeup of Inside-Out

A close-up of the cuff (right side out...I forgot to take shots of the reversible cable!) Some folks are having a hard time getting the cuff over their heel, but after wearing mine for an hour or so they loosened right up and I had no problems getting them on or off. I figured out a trick for putting them on when they're freshly-washed and tighter--I just folded the cuff down and it was much easier to slide over my heel. Love these socks!! They are perfect for padding around the house.

After finishing that pair, I immediately cast on for Cookie A's Twisted Flower Sock (http://www.cookiea.com! Go check out all of her beautiful patterns now available for sale!) I'm using Gems Pearl in "Fern."

Start of Twisted Flower sock

What a fun pattern! I love the twisted/travelling stitches. These are going to make perfect spring socks. And so will these, if I ever finish the second:

One Rock and Weave sock

I'm also very close to finishing a UFO I resurrected after laying it to rest at the end of the last summer, my Peacock Feathers Shawl. No WIP shots, because right now it's just a big crumply mess of red lace, and I'd much rather show you pictures once it's finished and blocked. And the best part is, once I finish it, I can finally start the Swallowtail Shawl with that gorgeous skein of Sea Silk I've been saving for it! Whee!

Wednesday, March 07, 2007

Hand-dyed, handspun SOCK YARN!

I actually have done a little dyeing recently! Thanks to some of the lovely ladies with the Peachtree Handspinners Guild who helped us dye noobs and showed us the ropes. Here is some shetland that bore the brunt of my experiments:

dyed shetland

And here is the crown jewel of my efforts for that day, superwash merino for hand-dyed, handspun socks! On the bobbin:

superwash on the bobbin

Very happy colors. And here is the end result!

Handspun sock yarn!

This was also my first navajo ply, not too bad I don't think.

DSCN1764

Didn't measure the wraps per inch, but I'd guess it's about a sportweight. 300 yards. I am imagining some toe-up socks with big, loose cuffs for padding around the house!

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