No Hopers, Jokers and Rogues

[watervole]

A great song by Fishermen's Friends:

I've added it to my birthday list.  Henry is ahead of the rest of the family - he got me my belated birthday present (from last October) in time for Silvercon.  Richard and Kelvin are still lagging...  I daren't buy any more sock wool until I know if I'm going to be given some.  Or the book I've been eyeing....

Comments

[tictactoepony.livejournal.com]

If you have a yearning for any handspun sock wool, do give me a shout :)

[watervole.livejournal.com]

You tempt me...

I don't know if I'm a good enough knitter to cope with hand-spun wool yet. How even is the yarn in thickness? My tension still isn't that consistent.

How hard-wearing is pure wool? I notice most of the commercial sock mixes are about a quarter nylon.

[tictactoepony.livejournal.com]

Yarn consistency tends to vary depending on my current level of concentration, but I can manage to make a relatively even sock yarn (I find it trickier to make it at a 4-ply equivalent than as a double-knit, though both are possible).
I've given my handspun to total beginner knitters before and it worked fine! (Though that admittedly was for a chunkier yarn).
I've not knitted that much with nylon mixes. With pure wool, I tend to find the socks need darning after a year or so even if only worn occasionally indoors.
But they are fun! Just keep a supply of scraps for mending.

For info - see the various "Knitting" sets at http://www.flickr.com/photos/tictactoepony/collections/72157602825442173/ if you wish to see examples of things I have spun and made from it.

[watervole.livejournal.com]

The monkey socks and the inside out socks look fabulous! I love the colours you've dyed into so many of the wools. Where can I find the knitting pattern for the monkey socks?

I'm okay at darning. Darned my favourite bedsocks only a few weeks ago. Not elegant, but did the job.

[tictactoepony.livejournal.com]

Monkey pattern is at knitty, here: http://knitty.com/ISSUEwinter06/PATTmonkey.html
Knitty is great for free patterns, loads of sock ones there if you search the archives!

[watervole.livejournal.com]

Thanks! (I think it looks better in the wool you used)

Some good advice there on blocking and grafting too. I can see I'll be looking at that site again.

[vjezkova.livejournal.com]

Ooooohhh...this is such a won der ful song and a great video, thank you for showing me!!!!