got a ? about socks

koolbreeze · 10-12-2005, 03:47 PM

do you HAVE to use sock yarn for socks?

Ingrid · 10-12-2005, 09:03 PM

I haven't made socks, but I can tell you that you don't have to use sock yarn. Sock yarn is just thin--and the self-striping sock yarn, I believe is dyed to form the stripes on sock-sized things.

Virtuella · 10-12-2005, 09:10 PM

I always use sock yarn because the yarn is reinforced, about 20% nylon in it. I would not knit socks (and I knit many of them) without reinforcement, so much work/time to knit, and hole in it at once when you start wearing them.
Babysocks I do knit of ordinary babywool, of course!

Ingrid · 10-12-2005, 09:19 PM

Aha!! I didn't know that! Listen to Virtuella, Carmell.

koolbreeze · 10-12-2005, 09:22 PM

ok thanks!!! i was really wonderin about baby socks! u read my mind, Virtuella!

Virtuella · 10-12-2005, 09:27 PM

Originally Posted by koolbreeze

ok thanks!!! i was really wonderin about baby socks! u read my mind, Virtuella!

Babysocks.. so sweet to knit, I made a heap of them for a friend some months ago..

.. and I used babywool.

koolbreeze · 10-12-2005, 11:30 PM

awwwww!!! they are so cute. mine wouldn't be that good!!!

rebecca · 10-12-2005, 11:55 PM

Sorry

, difference of opinion! You don't have to use sock yarn exclusively; as a matter of fact, if u are 1st starting out, it is recommended that you use a larger size yarn (ex. sport, dk or worsted wt) and with larger dpns than those used for sock yarn. I do, however, when using fingering wt yarn, that is 100% wool, for example, reinforce the heel & toe with wooly nylon...this is something that is generally found in fabric stores & used alot with serger sewing machines. Many sock yarns on the market come with reinforcing thread that matches the yarn that you are buying. My problem is the palette that I ordered from KnitPicks is a fingering wt yarn, but essentialy for fair isle, so I am going to have to look for the wooly nylon to match my colors at our local fabric store Although, before I knew about reinforcing socks, I knit several pair of socks from knitpicks natural, dyeable fingering wt yarn & didn't reinforce & so far, so good :D
virtuella, I didn't mean to step on your toes, just relaying my experiences, k?!

And your socks are beeeautiful!!

them!
Carmell...never say never...of course your socks will look as nice...practice makes perfect, my friend...now,

don't let me hear you say something like that again...I will go "mother" on you in a minute

...FYI, meaning acting like a mother

koolbreeze · 10-13-2005, 02:46 AM

i gotcha rebecca!!!

i did do one baby sock...

needless to say... i am too embarassed to put it on here!!!!

feministmama · 10-13-2005, 04:00 AM

There's a knitty Gritty episode that makes a thick pair of socks without sock yarn. If you want a videotape of it, I have it and I could send it to ya.