double-stranding with elastic

[fledchen]

I've seen a lot of patterns that call for double-stranding with elastic thread to make socks fit better. I've never double-stranded with two different thicknesses before. How do I do this?

[xantha]

I'm not sure I understand your question. :think Are you working from a specific pattern?

For socks, that generally means that on the cuff, you work by carrying along a strand of elastic and your sock yarn.

For toes and heels, you can use a similar method and carry along reinforcement thread (this is really only necessary when the sock yarn has no nylon).

reinforcement thread (http://www.fncyarn.com/sock_thread.html)
more reinforcement thread (http://www.herrschners.com/products/sku-710246__id-1179.html)

[fledchen]

I'm sorry, I should have been more specific!

I guess what I mean is, how should the yarn and the thread interact? Should I try to keep the elastic on the "wrong" side or should it twist around the yarn slightly?

Unfortunately, I can't find the specific pattern that mentions this, but I *know* I read about it somewhere.

I might just skip it and hope for the best. Wool is pretty stretchy to begin with, right?

[xantha]

Wool is pretty stretchy, yep. And certain stitches are more stretchy than others, so you could take that into account for the cuff.

Do you only have white elastic and you want to use it with a dark yarn? Normally when I carry two strands of anything together they end up getting wrapped around one another and that works out okay, but I can see where you wouldn't want the contrast of light on dark necessarily...

Sorry, I know I'm not being much help! I don't normally use elastic on socks -- usually the sock yarn I'm using has some stretchability or I am sure to use a ribbing on the cuff that is more stretchy.

[Julie]

There are some sock yarns that already have elastic in them, kind of dodging the whole "how should I do this" issue. ;) Because I'm not sure either, really. I like the Sock It To Me yarns, Esprit (http://secure.elann.com/productdisp.asp?NAME=Sock+It+to+Me+Collection+Espr it&Season=&Company=&Cat=ALLY&ProductType=5&OrderBy=&Count=75) and Esprit Print (http://secure.elann.com/productdisp.asp?NAME=Sock+It+to+Me+Collection+Espr it+Print&Season=&Company=&Cat=ALLY&ProductType=5&OrderBy=&Count=76), and Cascade Fixation (http://cascadeyarns.com/cascade-fixation.asp) and the new Dancing (http://www.knitpicks.com/yarns/yarn_display.aspx?itemid=5420119) yarn from KnitPicks (http://www.knitpicks.com/homepage.aspx) looks good too.. I haven't tried the last one yet but I have it, and love the others I've listed. The first three don't show the elastic strand itself but the yarn is really stretchy; Dancing does have the elastic strand wrapped around the yarn.

[xantha]

There are some sock yarns that already have elastic in them, kind of dodging the whole "how should I do this" issue. ;)

Well, the ones that really need it are the cotton yarns, especially things like Espirit and Cascade FIxation, which are ~90% cotton ... the wool yarns don't need to have the elasticity anywhere near as much -- but they do need added durability, which is where the nylon or the reinforcement thread come in.

Dancing does have the elastic strand wrapped around the yarn.

The funny thing is that I thought that was the cotton in the yarn, not the elastic! The Regia Cottons all have a white thread running through them -- it's the cotton in their case. I agree with you and I think it's the elastic in the Dancing, but I made assumptions about it being like the Regia Cotton blends before I ordered it. :)

[jpr54_]

[QUOTE=fledchen]I've seen a lot of patterns that call for double-stranding with elastic thread to make socks fit better. I've never double-stranded with two different thicknesses before. How do I do this?[/QUOT

i have made 2 pair of socks-

one a cotton blend-using tlc cotton
and the other using patons kroy socks wool

i have found that u do not need the elastic thread-

the elasticity comes from cuff stitch used-i think for women with thicker legs and wide feet the elastic may be helpful

joanne

[AuntyM]

I used the Cascade Fixation yarn to make baby socks, just to see how I would like it.

It's tricky to maintain tension because the yarn is stretchy (it has elastic in it).

I had to re-do one of the socks because 1 was bigger (or smaller) than the other! Perhaps if both were made in the same evening (or day) they might come out the same size?

I probably wouldn't use this type of yarn again because of that, but it was fun to try!