Speaking of spinning my own sock yarn, let me introduce my wool. While I was at the Show last year, I checked in with the Suffolks. They were the featured breed for 2015.
As it happens, I bought a kilo of suffolk at the Guild when there was an opportunity a while ago. I came home keen to wash fleece somehow. I try not to resist that inclination no matter how daft, because it doesn’t happen often. This time it was pretty daft–I finished after dark and could only hope the fibre would be clean in the morning.
I don’t think the fleece was skirted… so there was some serious loss, not to mention burrs, wattle seed (that is a new one!) and feathers (that was new too).
Meanwhile, I had a helper. She has since left us for a new life in Tasmania, but she was so interested in knitting! A shame really. I cut out a pattern and she chewed on the paper. Ooops. And here she is sorting out an apron string!
You just can’t be too careful with an apron string when it is hanging provocatively off the side of a chair.
Local & Bespoke 
Helpers………my Ir Wolfhound STILL tries to eat my wool. I have be be very vigilant! I like Suffolk. It does vary a lot though but will be good for socks. YEA
LikeLike
Oh yes, that kind of help! Some parts of this fleece are the longest staple Suffolk locks I have handled, others about half that length (and closer to the other Suffolk fleece I have spun). But yes, perfect for socks even if imperfect (after all, my spinning is imperfect)…
LikeLike
socks or mattress stuffing is all Suffolk wool is good for. Its personality is akin to that of the sheep that grew it (they are gregarious and bouncy and do not recognise the existence of fences). It felts beautifully…and then when the felt is dry pops up all fluffy again. Which is why it’s brilliant for socks. bounces back all the time!
LikeLike
I love that image of the bouncy sheep! I had some Suffolk years back and it sure was springy. The first skein is finished, so socks start soon!
LikeLike
Pingback: Handspun, hand dyed, handknit socks | Local & Bespoke