The finishing frenzy continues. Here is Maddie modeling her new Regia socks. All the details are in the gallery. They are nearly a perfect match and I got both socks out of one skein with quite a bit to spare. Here's another picture:
This inspired me to cast on Pete's second sock. It's done in Lorna's Laces Shepherd Sport in Forest. They are done on US 1's and the first sock was slow going, so it took me a while to want to start the second one. Not to mention that he really wants a thick pair of wool socks and the Lorna's doesn't really fit the bill. Can anyone suggest a thick, soft *sturdy* yarn for socks?
Nice socks! I just finished Liv's mittens and she put them on and said "Can you buy some more yarn and make me a matching pair of socks?" Sure, dear, your wish is my command. :) I'm impressed with how well they match! I cast on for Pete's second sock, too, and there is no way I'm going to concern myself with matching the stripes up. The guy is just lucky to get a pair out of me. :)
Posted by: Kerstin | Wednesday, December 17, 2003 at 03:53 PM
Stay away from Mission Falls 1824... not durable at all. John wore the bottom out of one of his.
Posted by: Theresa | Wednesday, December 17, 2003 at 05:17 PM
The socks look adorable.
I finished the knitting and felting of my Lily bag for my mother for Xmas. I used a variegated Cascade 220 and it came out so nice. I have the red waiting for me to make mine.
Keep up the pattern designing.
Posted by: Suzanne | Wednesday, December 17, 2003 at 06:05 PM
I went looking for sturdy, washable wools when I started making socks several years ago, and I still use Lion Brand Wool-Ease. It fit my budget back then, and all the socks I made are still going strong. I only own one pair...since I always knit them as gifts, I wanted a yarn that was easy to launder.
Posted by: jen | Thursday, December 18, 2003 at 06:50 AM
Hi: I like to use Lionbrands' Wool-Ease sportweight yarn on size 6 dpn's. The socks come out soft, and thick,(but not too thick) and the yarn is hard-wearing. I haven't had one pair get holes in them. Plus, the socks knit up faster with the size 6 needles.. hope it helps.
Posted by: April | Thursday, December 18, 2003 at 08:39 AM
have you tried interlacements. they have two (well more but two sock) weights -- one called 'little toes' that's like normal sock yarn but the other one i like is called 'toasty toes' and it's thicker, maybe that would work for him. comes in all the same colors
Posted by: carolyn | Thursday, December 18, 2003 at 09:04 AM
What a sweet picture and such a lucky girl to get beautiful knitted socks. ;)
Posted by: ~Jo~ | Friday, December 19, 2003 at 07:58 AM
I've been using Emu Superwash (it's a light dk, I'm using a size 5 needle) for Bill's socks - I'm still working on his first pair though so I don't know how long they'll last. It's a nice yarn though, lots of 'manly' colour options, even in the multi colours.
Posted by: kate | Saturday, December 20, 2003 at 11:59 AM
ooops, I meant 'it's a light worsted or a heavy dk' not 'light dk'.
Posted by: kate | Saturday, December 20, 2003 at 12:01 PM
How about Stahl Big Print or Stahl Big Mexico? redbirdknits.com has it & a few other places too...it's a worsted weight yarn... I can't vouch for how well it wears yet since I just finished a pair of mittens (for my 2year old) with it and probably will make mittens & socks for my older 3 with their Stahl yarn... the Big Mexico is fun to knit with, I have not gotten the Big Print yarns yet, but they're on the way...
Posted by: Jessica | Saturday, December 20, 2003 at 01:25 PM
Maddie looks like Shirley Temple in that photo. :) A thicker, sport-type yarn (without going all the way to worsted) is Blackberry Ridge Sport (100% wool). They have multicolors available and, I believe, online ordering. It is a firmly-spun yarn and easy to knit as it's somewhat elastic (sproingy). I'm making a pair of socks with it now. As a handspinner and sock knitter, I do believe they will wear quite well. For an even thicker option (worsted), Stahl has a yarn called "Big" which is 100% wool and superwash. I have some spiral socks I made from it a long time ago, and they've worn and washed wonderfully. Just remember to knit any yarn at a smaller gauge than the one recommended on the band. Nice pics!
Posted by: Stasia | Sunday, December 21, 2003 at 08:28 PM
Briggs & Little makes a worsted weight called Tuffy with some nylon in it; Canadian Sock Yarn from Halcyon is worsted weight; I've also used Brown Sheep Wildfoote, doubled; Silja is sport weight... I've asked this question myself, hope this helps :)
Posted by: Ann | Sunday, December 21, 2003 at 09:41 PM