I'm getting ready to buy some sock yarn and I wanted to ask everyone what their favorite sock yarn is. I plan on using the Jaywalker pattern by Grumperina.
formatting link
It calls for Opal Hand Painted yarn that is 75% superwash merino & 25%polyamid. I'm having a hard time locating this yarn (in colors that Ilike). The pattern suggest various other yarns, but I don't knowanything about them. Has anyone used this pattern & if so, what did you think? Do you have a substitution you'd recommend? I'd also like to hear what you think about online yarn sources. Has anyone used Simply Sock Yarn? There is so much there, it is hard to choose.
I don't have a LYS, and I want as much info as I can get before I purchase something I've never seen or touched.
My *very* favorite is Cherry Tree Hill Supersock, 100% merino, and I knit wooly nylon into the heel and foot for extra strength. I also like Fortissima Colori, Meilenweit and Jawoll (last time I bought Jawoll, they included a spool of wooly nylon in the center of the yarn skein). Koigu also. I haven't tried the Jaywalker yet, although I have the pattern here. The pair I knitted that I was the most proud of was a pair of entrelac socks that was in a pattern from Knitters Magazine, I think it was spring or summer of 2004. Unfortunately, I made them out of a cotton yarn that I didn't like all that much (sockotta, I think), and I wish I'd made them out of wool. The entrelac with a variegated yarn gave it a very interesting look! My least favorite for socks is Cascade Fixation. They look great, it's wonderful to work with, but I don't like the finished feel, it feels a little "gravelly" on the bottoms of my feet. If you don't have a yarn shop nearby, there is an awesome on-line store called Yarnforward
formatting link
and they carry quite a selection of sock yarns. I got some Regia Silk from them not long ago that I'm anxious to turn into socks.
On 25 Jun 2006 13:44:06 -0700, hesira spun a fine yarn
Simply Socks Yarn Company online has GREAT choices and AWESOME prices! As for Jaywalker, any sock yarn in the same gauge will easily substitute, however, I'd go with a 'plainer' yarn, Jaywalker is busy, and a really fancifully repeated (gawd, are those even words?) yarn will just bury Jaywalker's intricacy. JM2C, Noreen
InspirePoint website is not affiliated with any of the manufacturers or service providers discussed here.
All logos and trade names are the property of their respective owners.