"Cleaning" the apartment yielded no camera charger, so I finally broke down and went and bought one today. Once I had it in my head that I was buying it, ordering online was going to take too long (and not save money anyway). Note: "Cleaning" because it really involved pushing stuff around looking for the camera charger and trying to place blame on DH, who never ever uses the camera. Now I can charge my camera on the go, though, as the new one came with a car adapter. We'll see if that is ever useful.
Anyway, moving along, new charger means pictures! For the blog! Woot!
As I mentioned, I finished spinning up the Lisa Souza South Pacific Merino/Silk and plyed it together. I was really unimpressed with it on the niddy-noddy, but once I pulled it off and saw the hank, I was very happy. A soak and dry later, and I'm even happier with it. See what you think:
The silk shininess may be a bit stronger in the pics than in real life. More shots:
So, to recap: The fiber is from Lisa Souza (purchased at Stitches West 2007) in the South Pacific colorway, in a 50/50 merino/silk blend. It is about 20 wpi -- a light fingering. It weighs 105 g and is about 490 yards.
There has been some debate around these parts whether merino/silk is a good blend for socks. Pro: Strong, from silk! Con: Perhaps not as stretchy, from silk. What say you all?
I think it would be just fine as socks, it is absolutely beautiful!!!! I just started knitting with an 80/20 Merino/Silok blend (granted, it's not 50/50) but it's stretch was just fine. And the silk made the socks cool to the touch, very nice. I think you should try socks, you might be surprised!
Posted by: Jamisyn at April 23, 2007 7:22 PMI think it would be just fine as socks, it is absolutely beautiful!!!! I just started knitting with an 80/20 Merino/Silk blend (granted, it's not 50/50) but it's stretch was just fine. And the silk made the socks cool to the touch, very nice. I think you should try socks, you might be surprised!
Posted by: Jamisyn at April 23, 2007 7:22 PMI have no idea whether or not it will be good for socks - but it's beautiful yarn! Congratulations!
Posted by: Cara at April 23, 2007 7:31 PMOh, this is beautiful! As I'm grappling with my very first lumpy, bumpy, overtwisted handspun, thanks for reminding me why I wanted to learn to spin in the first place. :)
And, er, I'm sure that car charger will really be useful in a, you know, car photo emergency.
Posted by: pamela wynne at April 23, 2007 7:56 PMI've been wanting to try silk-blend socks, and that yarn would make some of the most gorgeous socks ever!
Posted by: dana at April 23, 2007 8:05 PMSilk is shiny - also a pro. Nothing can be bad about shiny. The yarn is really gorgeous, I'm looking forward to seeing what you make with it.
Posted by: kelp! at April 23, 2007 8:22 PMIt's beautiful! As to the debate...well, I don't think I'd want it to be socks anyway. I know, we all love socks. Still, socks go on your feet and people don't always notice them. This yarn wants to be noticed. Perhaps a little beret? With wool ribbing in a matching color to keep it on?
And on a completely off note, my wheel is finished!
Posted by: shadkitty at April 23, 2007 10:23 PMIt's pretty, so who cares if it's "good" for socks or not? Plus, if you make enough socks, you only have to wear them every few weeks or so. Run some ribbing all the way down the foot so it'll be roomy enough, or do some sort of lace pattern (feather and fan, hard to go wrong with that), and whether or not it's stretchy won't really matter, as the pattern will compensate and give you more room.
I totally agree with the previous comment. Just use a stretchy pattern. A sock in stockinette won't be that stretchy anyway, no matter what yarn you use, and it's not nearly as much fun to knit as one in a nice lace pattern! :) Beautiful yarn! I would have to sit at home fondling it all day, or bring it with me everywhere I go!
Posted by: Heidi at April 24, 2007 4:04 AMThe yarn is beautiful! You are slowly but steadily convincing me that I should learn to spin.
Re: silk and socks--I say dive right in (heh heh South Pacific--get it?). Regia silk is what I use to make my husband's socks, because it stands up to his abuse better than most.
Oh, dear. Sorry for bad jokes. It's early.
Posted by: Leigh (aka chemgrrl) at April 24, 2007 5:41 AMI think it's gorgeous!
I just finished up some merino/silk also and for the first time didn't make a mess of it. I have a hard time spinning silk.
You know you're going to find your charger now that you bought one, right?
Posted by: Karen at April 24, 2007 5:45 AMI think it would work fine - merino/tencel must be similar (tencel really doesn't have any stretch to it) and it works great for socks!
Posted by: stacey at April 24, 2007 6:06 AMI haven't spun Merino/Silk for socks, so I wouldn't know. But I've seen a ton of that blend in batts that advertise for socks. The new yarn is lovely. The colors are wonderful together.
Posted by: Rosa at April 24, 2007 6:24 AMMy favourite pair of socks is from a 50/50 wool/silk blend. It's got a great amount of stretch, and they're the comfiest socks I've ever owned. :)
Posted by: Sarah at April 24, 2007 7:26 AMI love that yarn. I have been looking at that same color on her web page and trying not to breakdown and buy it....but now maybe I have been pushed over the edge. I say go for it and I may be right behind ya!
Posted by: Diane at April 24, 2007 9:36 AMI love that yarn. I have been looking at that same color on her web page and trying not to breakdown and buy it....but now maybe I have been pushed over the edge. I say go for it and I may be right behind ya!
Posted by: Diane at April 24, 2007 9:37 AMThe yarn turned out beautifully.
As far as whether it should be used for socks....there's only one way to find out.
Pro - silk makes it shiny. Oooh, look, shiny! Can you tell I'm easily distracted?
Posted by: Juls at April 24, 2007 11:30 AMOh dude, that turned out awesome! I say sock away! Mmm how yummy is that yarn!
Posted by: Teenuh at April 24, 2007 3:54 PMThat yarn is gorgeous. I wouldn't use it for sock yarn, just a matter of personal preference. I think there really wouldn't be enough stretch to it. I do know that some people have used other merino/silk blends for socks successfully for socks. If you do use it for socks, I'd love to hear how it does.
Posted by: Opal at April 24, 2007 4:25 PMKnit tight to avoid pilling, perhaps, as my experiences with silk/merino tends to result in items pilling slightly.
Oh, and sorry about the drool. In advance. 'Cause you're going to bring it to bobaknit for show and tell, right?
Posted by: freecia at April 24, 2007 5:59 PMI think just about anything knit from that would be fantastic, its georgous... and silk socks????? what are you waiting for?? You didn't really even have to ask, you know. ;)
(amazing skill*handspun)+merinosilk = AMAZINGSOCKS!! :)
My vote is it depends on how you like your socks. I like tight socks, and always knit mine a little small so they'll cling to my feet and if they stretch it'll be ok. I made a pair of socks (Cookie's Hedera actually) from Knitpicks Gloss which is merino/silk, and the cuffs no longer cling to my leg. They don't fall down, but they're not as tight as I prefer. They are definitely VERY VERY comfy though! And they've withstood several (hand) washings and lots of wearings.
Posted by: nichole at April 24, 2007 7:12 PMGorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous! The difference I've noticed with my silk-content socks is that I knit them with just a haze more ease, and I can't wear them four times without washing them the way I can my woolies -- they'll get a bit out of shape, and need the washing and drying to get them back to their original size.
Posted by: Kristine at May 4, 2007 5:05 AM