Saturday, February 10, 2007

Today's Confession...

"I don't mind being called a ho, so long as it is preceded by the words, sock yarn."

I find that I am enjoying my foray into hand-painted sock yarns perhaps a little too much.

From left to right: Lorna's Laces Shepherd Sock in Motherlode, STR in Fairgrounds medium weight, Lorna's Laces Shepherd Sock in Gold Hill

I'm sure you won't be surprised when I say that I'm waiting on a couple of hanks of Lorna's Laces shepherd sock in the Georgetown colourway. I have several patterns picked out that should work well with a handpainted yarn. This is one of them. Here is a Flickr Photo of the same pattern knit using Regia.

Nevertheless, it isn't the only thing occupying my ever wayward thinking.

I knit up an earflap/helmet hat for my husband using my handspun.

This handspun from 100% Wensleydale Teeswater sliver dyed by Fleece Artist to be exact, plus some natural coloured Corriedale.




Do you see it?? I knit my own handspun!

Me very proud. Ug.

I used the pattern from Norsk Strikkdesign for the lower part of the shaping, then improvised the shaping for the top of the hat because my yarn was a different gauge. It turned out rather well, but I'm already planning another hat for him. While he loves this hat and is as proud as a peacock [a mutual friend and co-worker of my husbands called to let me know] it is heavy! I owe this to my having made my handspun a three-ply... Navajo plied to be exact. So, I'm going to go for a two-ply next time and use a different fibre...probably merino. All in all, it was a joy to knit my handspun and truly see the improvements I've made in my spinning. It is much more consistent and not over spun.

Once again. Me very proud. Ug.

I'll get a pic of hubby wearing it when I get the opportunity.

Till then,
Keep On Knitting...

7 comments:

Marlene said...

It looks fantastic Michelle. Much better than the Gnomy Hat I made from my first handspun. I can't believe I SOLD that hat though. I should have kept it. My FIRST handspun and I let a stranger walk away with it for heaven's sake!

Anonymous said...

Well done!! And I understand your sock yarn habit ;)

Knitting in Pink said...

The hat looks great! Congratulations on using your handspun. And I see you've bought more handpainted! Who's fault is that?! : )

dragon knitter said...

the hat is gorgeous, as is your handspun. almost too pretty for a guy, lol!

and you want some handpainted links?

www.lisaknits.com

any etsy site, just put in handpainted.

lisa's stuff ROCKS! and i'm pretty sure she'd ship to canada

Unknown said...

I'm a sucker for the finer sock yarns myself so I shall not cast the first stone!

Michelle said...

Valerie: You definitely started my handpainted obsession...but, I see that Minnie is a close second and leading me to my destruction with some links to more. Oh my Gawd! [g]

Carrie said...

I'm so excited for you! You got to knit with your handspun! It looks great, oo. I'm waiting for that day. And, yes, I love me a fine handpainted yarn. Beautiful photos to look at, thanks!