What makes a good sock yarn?
I'm not -- yet -- a sock knitter. Socks are one of my knitting aspirations -- knitted lace is another -- but I am not yet sufficiently skilled to try handling a needle with two points. I can manage garter stitch without dropping more than 10% of my stitches and I can mangle stockinette with the best of them.
Being unable to knit a sock doesn't stop me from wondering about sock yarns. Hence the title of today's blog: What makes a good sock yarn?
I know socks don't need to be as soft as other clothing. I have a lot of seconds and thirds in the stash as well as some lower quality blankets I've been avoiding. I know sock yarn doesn't have to be soft, but I wonder how strong the fiber in the yarn can be. (Strong is a fiber industry euphamism for coarse.) Can I use strong fiber in socks? What about extra strong? What about guard hair?
And even though many people enjoy socks that aren't as soft as say, shawls, is there a market for soft sock yarn?
I know sock yarn needs to be fairly fine, but what weight should it be?
How springy does it need to be?
What colors do people like? I know many knitters like really bright and funky colors for their hand-knit socks. Unfortunately, a lot of my stash is naturally colored alpaca which is gorgeous, but pretty dark to take dye well. My thought has been to make some of my HeatherSelect(tm) blends in sock yarn. Would those colors sell?
I also have a lot of black fiber. Basic black dress socks are always handy. Do folks hand-knit socks in black?
What about the way the yarn is spun? I know some spinners overtwist their sock yarn to make the socks wear better. Is this important? Alpaca supposedly wears better than wool. Do I still need to overtwist the yarn?
Any and all input is welcome. I want to make some really wonderful alpaca sock yarn and I admit to being absolutely clueless.
Oh, and that knitted lace? One generous soul at BSG said I was probably ten years away. I can make lacey crocheted garments, but I think alpaca fiber rewards knitted lace techniques more than crochet because crochet tends to put a lot of bulk in some places.
I'd like to continue to thank readers for links and feedback. Today's particular thakns go out to Purl, Interrupted and Spin That Yak for recent mentions in their respective blogs. Input from the rest of our readers is much appreciated and I'd really like to learn more about what makes a really good sock yarn.
Being unable to knit a sock doesn't stop me from wondering about sock yarns. Hence the title of today's blog: What makes a good sock yarn?
I know socks don't need to be as soft as other clothing. I have a lot of seconds and thirds in the stash as well as some lower quality blankets I've been avoiding. I know sock yarn doesn't have to be soft, but I wonder how strong the fiber in the yarn can be. (Strong is a fiber industry euphamism for coarse.) Can I use strong fiber in socks? What about extra strong? What about guard hair?
And even though many people enjoy socks that aren't as soft as say, shawls, is there a market for soft sock yarn?
I know sock yarn needs to be fairly fine, but what weight should it be?
How springy does it need to be?
What colors do people like? I know many knitters like really bright and funky colors for their hand-knit socks. Unfortunately, a lot of my stash is naturally colored alpaca which is gorgeous, but pretty dark to take dye well. My thought has been to make some of my HeatherSelect(tm) blends in sock yarn. Would those colors sell?
I also have a lot of black fiber. Basic black dress socks are always handy. Do folks hand-knit socks in black?
What about the way the yarn is spun? I know some spinners overtwist their sock yarn to make the socks wear better. Is this important? Alpaca supposedly wears better than wool. Do I still need to overtwist the yarn?
Any and all input is welcome. I want to make some really wonderful alpaca sock yarn and I admit to being absolutely clueless.
Oh, and that knitted lace? One generous soul at BSG said I was probably ten years away. I can make lacey crocheted garments, but I think alpaca fiber rewards knitted lace techniques more than crochet because crochet tends to put a lot of bulk in some places.
I'd like to continue to thank readers for links and feedback. Today's particular thakns go out to Purl, Interrupted and Spin That Yak for recent mentions in their respective blogs. Input from the rest of our readers is much appreciated and I'd really like to learn more about what makes a really good sock yarn.
posted by Upper Alpacas | 8:12 PM
6 Comments:
I like a good sqwooshy yarn for socks. Its not a technical term but the best way that I can describe it. So far, Koigu (superwash merino)fits my definition of a great sock yarn. It feels so wonderful when I'm walking on it. Just my opinion...
Tanya
i saw a tutorial on fiberlife.blogspot.com
it's a Monday June 06, 2005 entry.
you may have to scroll down ~ 3/4 of the page.
I think natural colors will be the next thing. Blogs and sock swaps are getting people interested in making socks and eventually they'll tire of the bright colors and start leaning toward the more natural ones-that's my prediction.
I've used just about everything for socks. I think if the socks are utilitarian they need to be durable and if they are for fun they can be just about anything.
Ah, that remark about ten years away from knitting lace? What a load of crap. Once you feel comfortable with knitting and purling, get use to the yarn overs & the very easy methods of decreasing, you'll be able to jump into lace knitting.
I have just under two years of re-learned knitting under my belt and I'm doing lace knitting. Admittedly, they're not exceptionally intricate designs, but you've got to start somewhere. After I try another simple pattern or two, I'll move on to the more detailed patterns. I'm just saying, like everything else, it's practice and patience.
Give it a try when you get the basics down pat. =)
Hi. I'm on my 3rd pair of socks and finally got a good answer about what yarn is good to use. The lys lady says that a high twist yarn is important because it is stronger and can take the wear of being worn on feet!! Friction is the problem. A loosely spun yarn doesn't last as long, and I've noticed, doesn't knit as nicely or tightly. I've enjoyed working with DK weight, and am trying to get my sock knitting technique down before I use my homespun. I have some coarser wool that would be lousy around a neck or chest or arm, but should be great on feet!
Kat,
Thanks for the information. I've been leaning toward overspinning for durability when I do sock yarn.
Kim
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