I just got back from a quick business trip down to LA. It was so short, it hardly seemed worth mentioning, because I knew I wouldn't have time to see all the people I wanted to. In the process, I did manage to catch myself a little cold. I suspect I got it in the airport or in one of the many meetings I attended. Leo may have another cold all together, which means in the next few days, we may be in a mountain of tissues and in a cold medicine haze. This is my lead in to saying that, for the time being, if it isn't cozy and snuggly warm, I won't be modeling it here on my blog, which means there are no progress posts of the silky wool piece.
So while I eat my chicken noodle soup (with a splash of lemon juice,) I've been sticking to less taxing projects, like, spinning some beautiful Chameleon Colorworks fiber.
This is approximately 4 ounces of peachy colored singles. It's an unnamed colorway, in a Merino/Viscose blend, spun at a fairly fine weight. I'll be making a 2-ply with it sometime soon. It's definitely not as exciting to spin a monochromatic colorway, as it is to spin something vary variegated, but I love the subtle shading that is produced. The colorway is mostly very soft and muted shades of orange, with touches of gray throughout. The best way to describe it would be "cream of pumpkin." I've actually been spinning this fiber for several weeks, but finally finished the last little bit of it last night.
I started this other project last Wednesday night.
It'll eventually be a pair of socks for Leo -- he of the arches so high you could fit Donald Trumps ego under them.
The yarn is Blue Moon Sock Candy in Pecan. The fiber is 96% cotton and 4% elite. The pattern is a variation of one of the patterns from Nancy Bush's Knitting Vintage Socks. Normally, I prefer to knit socks toe-up, but I've heard those aren't so good for the sky high arches that Leo was blessed with, so it seemed as good a time as any to start acquainting myself with the more traditional cuff-down variety of sock. Leo is particularly concerned that there be no seams, which I have assured him will be the case. I've also made it clear that he should not get used to wearing handmade socks. Luckily, he's always been very appreciative of hand knits.
That's the first time I've heard of the high arch/toe-down thing. Hmm. I made a toe-up pair for BF (he of the high arches as well) but used the traditional heel flap instead of the short-row heel. They fit him fine. I bet if you made enough side increases you'd be able to accommodate Leo's arches.
Oh, I adore the merino/viscose. I've got some in Autumn on the bobbin. It feels so good to spin it!
The sock looks great! My BF also has very high arches, so I feel your pain. Are you going to put some ribbing in the foot to help with the fit?
I have never heard of the high arch/top-down thing, either--you learn something every day! I've always wondered if the fitted arch socks would be good for high arches. I saw it once on Grumperina's site--she'd found the pattern in Meg Swansen's Knitting.
hubbie wont' let me knit socks for him. he says they'll be too thick. this from the man who wears hanes crew socks, sigh. he's got really big feet anyway (size 14) with high arches. oy.
try adding some garlic with that soup, it will help. maybe put the lemon in tea with honey.
Hey Marnie, what size needles are you using for the sock candy?
Cream of pumpkin is a perfect description for that colorway! Plus, it's named for food, which I am always a fan of. I love it! Hope the chicken soup worked and you're feeling better!
I love your spinning! Do you ever use your drop spindles anymore? Can you compare the two processes (is one more relaxing/meditative than the other)? Is speed the only difference or major advantage?
I have high arches and top-down socks with a heel flap usually fit me great. I made one pair of top-down socks with a short-row heel and I didn't like the fit of those at all. Maybe it's more of a heel flap vs. short-row heel thing than a top-down vs. toe-up thing?
Hope you feel better soon.