January 8, 2007
A Pair of Sloopy Socks
So here they are! My first pair of socks from my own handspun sock yarn. I know that by now almost everyone knows the origin of the fiber and the yarn, but for the sake of a complete record for my archive, I will mention that I spun this 2-ply sock yarn from some "Hang on Sloopy" hand-dyed superwash merino roving that I purchased from Crown Mountain Farms. The socks were knit up on US Size 1 (2.25 mm) bamboo double pointed needles. The gauge is about 7 st/inch and I cast on 56 stitches for these socks. These are pretty straight forward socks -- with so much striping, I figured I'd let the yarn speak for itself -- K2P2 ribbing at the top, straight stockinette in the leg (to 7" total) and instep, a short row heel and my standard 4 point decrease toe. Both heel and toe were decreased down to 10 stitches. For me, the fit is just about perfect.
The striping, as you can see, is beautiful and completely irregular. I must admit a preference for the wider stripes in the sock on the left, and it's clear that the first half of this skein was a bit darker than the second half. This has to do with how the roving is dyed. At the time, I didn't realize that Teyani essentially divides each roving into thirds, with each third getting progressively darker and having less white areas. This skein contained the lighter third and part of the mid-dark third -- I think it's relatively easy to see how and where those darker colors played out.
I've spent all day wearing my first pair of handspun handknit socks. They're the kind of socks that warm my heart and my feet. For me, there's not much better than watching my handspun yarn become part of the garment I wanted it to become.
Those are gorgeous socks.
Theresa, those socks are mighty fine! Just the thing for our grey weather. Seeing them makes me want to bust out the Crown Mountain stash :o)
Beautiful! I love that group of creamy oranges.
Those are so pretty! And I like that they're sisters, not twins.
Beautiful - I love the colors. I just finished spinning my Sock Hop roving from Crown Mountain - and can't wait to cast on for socks (just need to finish the two pair I'm working on!).
Oh, they look so comfortable! Love the colors, and great job on the spinning!
I LOVE them!
Just like wearing bits of sunshine on your feet! My dream is actually to spin, knit and wear something of my own creation, so you have inspired me... actually, my real dream is to start with the shearing, but baby steps are okay...
They are wonderful - and what a sense of accomplishment they must give you!
Beautiful socks! You did an awesome job! I'm so impressed with yours that I'm going to have to look into getting some of that roving
And thank you for the washing and WPI advice.
Those are gorgeous!
Congratulations! They're beautiful! Wear them well.
Very, very pretty!
They're fabulous! Definitely something I want to be able to do someday.
Very beautiful and the colour makes one happy.
How much yarn did you use?
they look great! I must get back to my sock hop roving... did you spin the full 8oz and use it in the socks?
Those socks are gorgeous. They really do look cheerful.
How neat! I am so happy for you. It is so satisfying to just knit and complete something let along spin, knit and complete.
Yeah!
Well done on a great achievement. The colour is perfect for these grey, overcast days in Winter.
Those are so much fun. They make me think of astronauts (or maybe just Tang). So bright and cheerful!
Those are gorgeous - very beautiful.
i'm jealous. first the BF roving turned into such beautiful yarn. now the socks?
i can't take it. just knock me down and paint me green with envy.
so pretty...i'm drooling...
:o)
They're fab. Prettier than Trekking! And I can only imagine how good they must feel. :-)
I love them! I have to ask, how much fiber were they to make these socks? 4 oz? 8 oz? I'm having sock envy!
they are really lovely! I can see how that is a feet AND heart warmer! very cool wool.
They're gorgeous! I love how bright they are. I see what you mean about the different striping, but it isn't obvious on the foot.
Ooh, they're fantastic!
I cast on my Hang on Sloopy socks (not spun by myself, since I'm just barely beginning to learn to spin) just after Christmas, and I'm loving them. If the need to finish up a few lingering Christmas gifts wasn't a factor, I'd probably have finished them by now.
Looking at yours, I find myself thinking, "I could just give those last few giftees books, right...?" grin!
Oh they turned out perfect and so sunny :) I'm still working on the perfect sock yarn. I tends to come out too thin when I try. I have some superwash I have high hopes for though!
My little spinner...all grown up.
;-)
What a quantum leap in skills, from non-spinner to wearing your own handspun socks in what...two years? Nice work!
Congratulations! They're beautiful and very cheerful. At first, I misread your blog and thought it said "sloppy" socks. I thought to myself, those are certainly NOT sloppy. Then I read it right. Quite nice!
Oh T, they are just gorgeous! What a tremendous accomplishment. I hope to be wearing my own pair of handspun socks sometime this year myself and I want to thank you for the inspiration you've provided in order to keep me going on this goal.
They are absolutely perfect, and my favorite color too. Good job.
Now that's a pair of socks! Must feel mighty good to spin and knit such a gorgeous pair!
That is SO freaking cool! And the socks are gorgeous -- love the color and the striping. You must (should) be VERY proud!!
happy feet!
Congrats on the wonderful accomplishment - spun and knit - they look mahhhvelous!
Thoroughly impressive. You are a trailblazer, as usual.
Wow! I'm so in awe of fleece-to-socks socks!
These are beautiful! I love the orange. congratulations.
They look fantastic! I love the striping and the colors are just wonderful for those middle days of winter when it seems the sunshine won't ever arrive again.