Special Socks Ahead
So... I mentioned a post or so back that I had been doing some shopping. Well, indeed I have. I'm not hitting the highest heights of fiber consumerism, but I have made a recent purchase that I just have to talk about.
One of the things that I am always trying to find more of is good spinning blogs -- blogs by people who have been spinning for a long time and really have a deep body of knowledge that they bring to bear when they talk about a spinning subject. I wish now I could remember how I came across Abby's Yarns so I could give credit where credit is due. Abby Franquemont has a great blog and an incredibly rich knowledge of fiber and spinning. She talks about everything from yarn construction to yarn pricing, she's talked about what to look for in spinning wheels and answers questions from people who are looking for help with their technique.
After reading her blog for a while, I took the plunge and ordered some of her Franquemont Fibers Luxury Sock Batts. The blend that I ordered is a blend of superwash merino, silk and nylon in a colorway called "Heartbreaker". Those of you who have been reading my blog for a while will not be surprised that I picked a blue, teal and purple colorway -- I decided if I was going to make luxury sock yarn, it was going to be for me, and it was going to be in my favorite colors.
Let me just say that this is probably some of the best prepared fiber I've ever had my hands on. when I untucked one of those little buns (holding one feels like holding a baby bird in your hand) I was treated to some of the softest, smoothest fiber I've ever had. The whole "like buttah" thing? Well, "buttah" don't have anything on this stuff.
Aside from the incredible preparation, while the batts contain all three colors, Abby has placed them side by side so they can be easily separated. I am thinking that I am going to split them and try to spin some "self-striping" yarn by spinning a certain amount of each color into my single in a regular pattern and see if I can make two singles that I combine into a two ply that match up enough to maintain the striping pattern in the final yarn. All 4 of the little bundles I have amount to just over 4 ounces of fiber, so it shouldn't be a long spinning project.
Well, not once I get finished with my CVM. I've told myself that this is a treat that I can only have after I finish my moorit CVM project. In the coming weeks, we'll see how strong my will is.
Wow! Those colors are gorgeous! (They're my favorite ones, too.) And it looks very soft and silky. Your feet are going to be very spoiled! :)
I want to eat those batts.
It looks very soft and silky. It will be dreamy to spin.
OMGoodness, that fiber is just amazing! Looking foward to seeing it on the bobbin. Your quilt is lovely. Thanks as always for your wonderful blog.
aw, I've been trying to resist Abby's blends... darn you! :) [and ftr, I came across Abby years ago via the livejournal spinning community. I don't know if that is how you came across her, but perhaps?]
it looks great! I can't wait to see how it looks when you start spinning it up. :) Great colors!
Beautiful! I am so itching to get my wheel back in action and figure out what I'm doing! I can't wait to read how this goes.
Wow, that fiber looks good enough to eat! makes me wish I could spin.
You've got a strong will so I'd bet you can hold out and get the CVM done first, even when tempted by such luciousness. But either way, it's all good!
beautiful colors. looks so nice and snuggly. those colors will make fantastic socks. :)
Very pretty, and it sounds like lovely spinning.
That is absolutely gorgeous! I can't wait to see it all done!
I've recently discovered (and been enjoying) Abby's blog as well, and am in love with her colorways! Can't wait to see how this spins up! After the CVM, of course. ;o)
That's a lovely picture of lovely fiber. I can almost feel it, just from the photo. As another purple/teal fan, I may have to make a copycat purchase. I bet my will power won't be able to keep me from playing with it right away though. I just found her blog myself recently and have been reading up while I get my spinning back up to speed.
Oh, MY, that is just so beautiful! I can't wait to see the yarn it turns into....
Wow, those look absolutely fabulous!
Those are going to be some beautiful socks.
Thanks for posting the link to Abby's Yarns blog. I'm also in search of the blogs of people who are more experienced in spinning. I can't wait to start reading her posts.
Have you found Spinning Spider Jenny's blog yet? I love it! She's only been blogging for a short while, but Oh! the things I've learned from reading it.
It is funny that you mentioned your search for spinning blogs since I always come to your site for precisely that purpose, being a new spinner myself. Thanks for the information about another good blog source for spinning. I always learn so much when I read your comments about spinning, so I look forward to reading a couple of other sources.
Wow! Those are going to be some stunning socks!!
Oh my goodness, thank you for the kind words! I was sitting here all crabby from going to the dentist, and you totally made my day.
That particular colorway was one of the hardest ones for me to sell! I really wanted to keep it and make myself socks, but then I had to tell myself I can't hold onto *all* the purple-teal-blue stuff (I have a bad tendency to want to do that). So that was how I ended up naming it! ;-)
Like everyone else, I'm itching to see how it works up for you! Thanks again for the shout-out!
I've never really been a snazzy fibre blends person, but when I first saw Abby's fibres the other week I was utterly in love... And then when I opened your blog and saw the photo I thought 'ooh, looks like Abby's fibres' and I'm shocked that I was right (I didn't think they'd imprinted themselves onto my brain that much)! I'm sure you'll spin that up into something exquisite :)