Hi friends, and happy Monday!
Phew, where did the weekend go? I spent most of it working, so today I’m playing a bit of catch up today. On my to do list? Play with stash sock yarn and find some perfect treats for my swap partner for Kat at Felinity Knits‘ Sock Yarn Stash Swap! I’m really excited to take part in my first swap!
I’m going to spend some time rediscovering stash yarns and finding something I think my stash partner would like this afternoon. And Kat suggested we should do a little post talking about what we like (or don’t) in sock yarn. I might be a bit late for this to be useful, but this morning I pulled out some of the yarns I’m really excited about knitting at the moment — because it’s always nice to ogle your own stash, right?
These are some of my current faves. There are some of the non-nylon sock yarns I’ve gotten excited about in the last six months — Northern Yarn’s 4ply Zwartbles, Madelinetosh’s BFL sock ( the white with black speckles), Blacker Mohair Blends, and Mondim’s sock yarn (that lovely orange and light blue). And some fun self-patterning sock yarns — I like a good vanilla sock, so using a self-striping yarn can keep the knitting of it fun and exciting! And, though it’s not really represented in this picture, I’m also excited to try out some more colorwork socks this year, so I love a good mini skein too.
One of the things I love about sock knitting is it provides a low-key way to try new things, whether it’s a new yarn, a new technique, or a color you might not wear in a garment, but love all the same! So while I particularly love local yarn and exploring no-nylon and non-superwash socks, I think there’s a big wide world of wool out there I love to explore! I love colors! I love neutrals! I love anything in between!
Whether or not you’re participating in the swap, I’d love to hear about your fave sock yarns in the comments! Do you like a woolly sock yarn? Superwash all the way? Crazy colors or keep it neutral? I’d love to hear 😀
fiber and sustenance 
I love all sock yarn! Doesn’t matter what kind or color (except plain brown…who wants to knit plain brown socks?) and whether it’s solid, self-striping or speckles. I can’t wait to find out who you got and who got your name 🙂
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I know, this is all so exciting! I sent off my package on the weekend and now keep forgetting that at some point a delightful surprise will arrive here! This is my first swap – what fun it is!
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You are my hero of mustard yarn! I can’t think off the top of my head what else you knit in mustard, but for some reason I associate it with you. Looks like this is going to be lovely! I couldn’t agree more about sock knitting’s providing a low-key way to try new things. It seems like almost every new technique I can think of (colorwork, lace, cables, plus all kinds of short-row, cast-on, and bind-off options) has been something I’ve tried first with a sock!
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I will happily wear the mantel of mustard hero! It’s definitely one of my faves — I’ve knit a fair few projects (or at least accents for projects) in it! Can’t beat a sunny mustard!
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I love a wooly sock. being a spinner I have access to so many different fibers, right now I am spinning cheviot and knitting up socks with it.
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Oh that’s amazing! It must be so satisfying to have a sock and know that you from fleece to FO, you made it! I loooove wooly socks too!
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I have to admit I’m a huge fan of all the West Yorkshire Spinner range. I knit my first sock with one of their cocktail yarns just over a year ago and haven’t looked back. Definitely time to branch out though and try new brands!
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They make great socks and the patterns and stripes are so much fun!
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I love wool yarn with nylon for socks! I have thought about trying one of the cotton or bamboo blends with elastic in them, but haven’t taken the plunge yet. I too mostly like plain vanilla socks, so I like self striping or other color excitement in the yarn.
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Agreed! A good self striping yarn keeps vanilla sock yarn fun!
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