When I started out the month proclaiming that I was going to knit 6.5 pairs of socks, I thought, I'm finally going to hit a month where I actually make all my knitting goals. Unfortunately, 25% of the month has crept by and there hasn't been much progress to show.
I did manage to bake some muffins! To reach my target I should had completed 3 socks...but so far, I have only 2 to show... and there are the cheaters version, because they are DK weight not sock weight.
The yarn is Sirdar Country Style. Not a yarn that I would normally use since it's 85% synthetic. No, it doesn't squeak and it didn't stick to me, but again, we haven't had dry weather yet. I bought it because I like the heathery colour and think that my mom would too. I am a total sucker for heathery yarns. I have high hopes that they will wear well. My mom is so hard on her socks... that I don't bother using 100% wool. Since I'm aiming to do 7 pairs, I'm going to try different brands to see which ones hold up best.
If you know of any particularly hard-wearing yarns, please let me know. The best stuff that I've found is Regia cotton. I've got 1 pair that's about 5 years old and there's not a dent in them. The Regia wool ones that I have are also still going strong. Opal and Socka aren't bad either.
The pattern is Simply Lovely Lace Socks by Karen Baumer from the Spring 2006 Interweave. It's such an easy to remember pattern that it's become one of my 'stand-bys'. No, I'm not stuck in a rut. I just like the way this pattern works with varigated and non-varigated.
I've used it with Artesano Alpaca, in mallard
...hipknits cashmere in neptune
..and claudia's handpaints in plumicious.
and each one is as gorgeous as the other.
Posted by atu at October 9, 2007 09:03 PM | TrackBackLovely socks, may have to look into that pattern sometime. For hard-wearing sockyarns I find Lana Grossa (Meilenweit) by far the most durable, my Opal socks pill a little on the heels and I dont expext them to last as long. I have some socks in LG that have been worn LOTS and machine washed on standard cycle with my jeans and everything and they don't show any sign of wear yet.
Posted by: Rippedoffknitter at October 15, 2007 12:29 PMI've found that the Opal silk (whatever it's called) hasn't worn as well as the regular Opal. Other than that, then anything with nylon in it is good with me (Araucania Ranco being my current favorite). It doesn't stop me buying silly merino from time to time but I make sure that the heels and toes feature something more hard wearing.
Posted by: Caroline M at October 14, 2007 06:39 PMGreat colors especially the Alpaca I made your muffins & they were a hit so much of a hit I never got any lol so I will have to make another batch when its just me here
Posted by: Rae at October 13, 2007 05:20 PMThe same pattern but those socks looked gorgeous in all the various colors & yarn. I have not used Regal but I find Opal to be hard wearing & my husband wears his all thro' winter.
Posted by: Ann at October 11, 2007 10:44 AMEven though you might not have met your goal, you are making progress! Keep going. Those socks look lovely and there's nothing wrong with knitting the same pattern, if you like it. It looks lovely in the Sirdar Country Style. I've found Regia Wool, Opal and Trekking to be pretty hard-wearing.
Posted by: Wanda at October 10, 2007 10:20 PMOver 25 years or so I've knitted "tabi" style socks with Lion Brand (mostly polyester) yarn. I think they still have a 15% wool "ragg" yarn (grey/white).
"Tabi" are those little white cotton fabric "socks" that are worn with Japanese "zori"- type sandals. Basically, mittens for the feet. They are fun to wear around the house. If one needs to step out of the house for just a moment or so, one needs only to slide feet into toe-thong of the sandals and out the door!
Posted by: Bobbi at October 10, 2007 05:27 PMHi!
I've made my husband socks in Sirdar Country Style.
He's been wearing them for over two years now and they have worn really well so far.
Posted by: Carol Wessel at October 10, 2007 05:23 PMyou know how to make a pair of feet envious dontcha :)
Posted by: stinkerbell at October 10, 2007 02:08 PMHello. First time I've commented, I think. Though I have enjoyed your blog and beautiful knits for a few months now. You knit just lovely garments. As for sock yarns, I've found Opal is the hardest wearing followed by maybe Lana Grossa. (Unfortunate name for a sock yarn :-)
Posted by: Sharilyn at October 10, 2007 01:42 PMBeautiful socks!
I have had best results with those you mention: Regia, Opal and Socka.
Lovely socks.
Have you tried Froehlich Blauband?
It is the most durable sock yarn I have encountered, it comes in mainly conservative solid colors and has reinforcement thread included.
Lovely socks. It's nice to see a pattern that suits so many different types of yarn. I find Regia the hardest wearing sock yarn I've used - I've got pairs that are at least 3 years old and still going strong.
Posted by: Mary at October 10, 2007 06:42 AMPretty socks but I don't think I could knit the same pattern that many times!
Posted by: Debi at October 10, 2007 02:57 AMLovely socks. I think ones with nylon, or cotton should wear well. Does you mum walk around in just her socks? Has she carpets? (the nylon is a little hard on socks). Mind you, it could be that she doesn't have enough pairs!
Posted by: dawn at October 10, 2007 02:16 AM