Thursday 19 January 2012

Goodness gracious


Great balls of fibre.

I bought two of these cones of 'stuff' a while ago in a charity shop, they cost I think £1.50 each, the main reason I bought them, the colour is a nice brown tweedy mix. The total weight is over 2000 grams, there is no central paper or plastic cone, what you see is all knitable. I have absolutely no idea of the fibre content, it feels like string mixed with a bit of barbed wire yet I can break the thread easily, it doesn't smell at all sheepy but does have that oily feel that natural wool can have. Mr FF had been asking for a new everyday sweater and I toyed with the idea of ordering some yarn then I remembered that these two biggies were lurking in the stash department. I'm using a simple 4 ply raglan pattern, it's turning out quite big, its very heavy and unyielding to work with. I have to say it's hard going as the material is so harsh but I keep knitting and telling Mr FF that this will make a great outdoor, wind and waterproof jumper/tent. I'm the kind of girl who always finishes a book once started, completes one project before she starts the next but this time I have had to do a bit of soft double knitting now and then just to save my aching hands. Still the back is done, the front almost finished and the sleeves will be easier so lets just hope the jumper is wearable. Toughen up Mr FF, we are relying on you.

7 comments:

  1. Sometimes Mr FF needs to be careful what he wishes for.

    ReplyDelete
  2. I think he might have to wear something soft and gentle underneath...

    ReplyDelete
  3. I LOVE this sweater!! I'd kill for some of that yarn and my hubby would love it!!
    Sadly, here in Canada, I have never seen anything like it...

    ReplyDelete
  4. Being a Tweed Head I just love that yarn, and it does look like wool, proper hard, wears like iron wool. You know you are just creating a jumper that is going to last him for the rest of his life. Perfect I'd say, plenty more time to knit for you! :)

    ReplyDelete
  5. Isn't there a 'burn' test you can do which gives some indication of the fibre?! Just don't let Mr FF throw the whole sweater on the fire if he finds it too scratchy!!

    ReplyDelete
  6. He he, I'm liking Cheshire Wife's comment... along with the whole jumper as a tent thing too! Be interesting to see his reaction when he puts it on for the first time.

    Hugs
    Brenda

    ReplyDelete
  7. Hopefully it will soften when it is washed!!

    ReplyDelete