what do you pay for your sock yarn

pattieroc · 03-13-2007, 09:12 AM

I was just online to a few knitting online stores and on ebay and I was wondering what everyone feels is a reasonable price to pay for yarn to make a pair of socks?
the yarns, lornas laces, trekking etc work out to be about 18.00 or more to make 1 pair, I wonder why it is so expensive and can you use any fingering weight wool?
also if someone knows a great source for reasonably priced sock yarn please share it....maybe this is the going rate and its just me

mwedzi · 03-13-2007, 02:24 PM

I've paid up to $24 for a pair, and they can get more expensive than that. The least I've paid is like $9 or $10, but I think they can be had for even cheaper at Knitpicks.

Usually sock yarns have some nylon content in them, as opposed to other fingering weight yarn, to add a little strength as socks get hard wear. U But not all do. Usually they are aslo superwash cuz most people don't want to hand wash their socks, but not all are. So I guess you can use any fingering weight yarn you want!

sara_jayne · 03-13-2007, 02:33 PM

Sock yarn can be expensive, but the expensive stuff is fabulous.

I've also used, and enjoyed, the sock yarns from Knit Picks and been very pleased and the prices are great.

Opal runs about $12 - $15 and Socks that Rock is a little bit more as is Lorna's Laces, but they are all fabulous.

Vendie · 03-13-2007, 03:47 PM

Often the expense of sock yarn comes from the fact that they are hand dyed/painted. Some of it is due to the fact that the demand supports it.

I'm willing to pay up to about $30 for good quality hand painted sock yarn, especially if it's an independent dyer (like Scout's Swag, Lisa Souza, Blue Moon Fiber Arts).

But, unless you're really brutal on your socks, you can use just about any fingerling, sport, dk, even worsted weight yarn you want. And even then, you can use a reinforcing thread for the heel and toe to strengthen them.

pattieroc · 03-13-2007, 04:49 PM

after reading your posts I decided to forge ahead, have a little craft money saved so i went online and bought 100.00 of Lorna's laces sock yarn in different colorways, so pretty, I guess what was holding me back is that I want to make socks as gifts for net christmas and was worried the recipients wouldnt get the value, i guess i could make little price tags and attach them to the socks lol....too bad that non knitters dont understand the time and mney involved in what looks like a simple gift, I know I will enjoy making them so I guess i will have to settle for the self satisfaction alone.
thanks for all your help

Chel · 03-13-2007, 05:07 PM

I LOVE Lornas Laces. Such pretty colors.

I also love Cindy H's yarn on etsy.

Old Knitter · 03-13-2007, 05:40 PM

I have really good luck using Baby Ull by Dale. It works out to about $13.00 a pair.

auburnchick · 03-13-2007, 05:50 PM

You know...I've started trying to overlook the price of my sock yarn and just enjoy the knitting.

If I don't have enough $$ to buy it, I don't. If I want it and have some extra $$, I just get it.

The pleasure is in the process.

Enjoy your new order! I've never used Lorna before, but I want to get some after reading all of the great comments here.

Braden · 03-13-2007, 06:24 PM

KnitPicks has some great, very cheap sock yarns. That's what I have made all my socks out of. I do like Lorna's Laces, though. I would try both and see which one you like best.

ecb · 03-14-2007, 03:42 AM

my LYS here has ben sending her customers to a discount store called Reneys
if anyone asks for Magic Stripes by Lion Brand
its only $1.99 a ball
she still recomends people buy the patterns and needles at her place (GOOD call, Reneys has CHEEP needles)
but the Yarn is the exact smae stuff, even a fair collection of colors

IF you decide to buy from her she is giving everyone a Dolar off each ball

She SO ROCKS

ecb