Silly question about sock yarn

[magdiego]

I may be crazy, since I'm still relatively inexperienced at crocheting complicated things, but I'd like to try socks. So far, I've bought all my yarn at Michael's and JoAnns, but I can't find sock yarn. Is that something you have to find a LYS for, or am I just not seeing it there?

I also have a WalMart nearby, but I try to avoid them whenever possible.

Mary

[sjkmaurice]

My Walmart sells sock yarn. (sorry!) You can also use fingering yarn like for babies. It's just a different composition but I'm pretty sure it's the same weight.

[cajunwhacko]

I've found a little bit of sock yarn at Michaels I think, but that's it. If I want true sock yarn I have to get it online (or swap with my aunt for something she wants lol)

I have made a few pairs of socks out of Microspun, it isn't sock weight but it works really well and makes nice comfy socks for when your feet are cold (like mine always are!)

[noricum]

I don't think my walmart has sock yarn. I've seen some almost-sock yarn at Michaels. If you don't have a LYS (or they're too expensive), I recommend www.theknitter.com because they have a nice selection, good prices, and *free* shipping! Free shipping is good when you only need a ball or two. ;) I recommend the Sockotta yarn... it's a nice cotton blend, machine washable, and about $8 for a 100g ball... which is enough to make a pair of socks. (A lot of sock yarns cost more than that, unfortunately.)

[xantha]

Also, elann (http://www.elann.com) and smileys (http://www.smileysyarns.com/) both have sock yarn most of the time, at very discounted prices.

My AC Moore carries sock yarn (LB Magic Stripes and that's it), my Michaels and JoAnn's do not carry anything resembling sock yarn at all. I pick up sock yarn mostly at my LYSes because I tend to like higher-end sock yarn and they have a larger selection of colors/brands.

Your Michaels might still have Moda Dea Sassy Stripes on sale which is a 100% acrylic fingering weight, self-striping yarn ... it works for socks, but they are not very comfortable.

Since you're just starting out with socks, you can always start out with a worsted weight yarn -- socks in worsted weight are really thick and snuggly (can you tell my house is freezing?!) and they work up very quickly!

Maybe I will start a thread of sock yarn types and we can all chime in...

[magdiego]

Thanks, everyone, for your help! I guess I should start off with maybe some microspun or worsted weight, just to get the hang of it, before I hunt down some real sock yarn, maybe from one of those online sources.

There is a LYS not too far, but it is out of my way and would require a special trip.

I'd love to hear from everyone about what their favorite sock yarns are!

Mary

[crochetdiva]

I haven't made sox yet, but of course I have yarn for it. LOL. I bought mine at Zellers (Canadian store), but they do have it at my walmart too. I bought Camouflage sock yarn to make sox for my 8 month old grandson. I was thinking of a way to keep babies from losing their sox...make a long chain from one sock to another to be worn inside their pants, like the one you put on kids mittens....I think I just might do that.

[noricum]

Andrea J: Just make sure it's a really soft yarn... NOT SCRATCHY!!! ;)

[cajunwhacko]

I'd love to hear from everyone about what their favorite sock yarns are!

Mary

My favorite yarn for socks is definitely the microspun I think. I've done some in worsted weight wool-ease too, (okay okay, I still have to finish the second one lol) and they're nice too. I love the microspun though because they're so soft. I'm curious as to what the Red Heart Baby Teri would feel like as socks, but I only have enough for a little blanket and besides it's pink :lol so maybe I'll find out someday but it won't be any too soon. I've worked with the Bernat Sox yarn quite a bit, but I've never actually used it for socks, so I can't say what they'd feel like. It is nice and soft though.

There's my :2c !

[noricum]

I've used tons of different sock yarns, and enjoy a lot of them. My favourite, if I had to pick, would be Lang Jawoll... both the wool and cotton blends. (One for summer, one for winter... ;) )

[crochetdiva]

Right Andrea, you wouldn't want the chain to irritate the baby's legs. So maybe a thicker chain then single or double crochet back would work better.

:manyheart

[Ghost]

Does your Michael's sell Patons Kroy? That's a sock yarn. If I remember right, it's not labeled as a sock yarn, exclusively, so it'd be easy to miss.

[magdiego]

Does your Michael's sell Patons Kroy? That's a sock yarn. If I remember right, it's not labeled as a sock yarn, exclusively, so it'd be easy to miss.

I'm not sure, I'll have to check. They have some Patons, of course, but I don't remember Kroy.

Thanks!

Mary

[magdiego]

I haven't made sox yet, but of course I have yarn for it. LOL. I bought mine at Zellers (Canadian store), but they do have it at my walmart too. I bought Camouflage sock yarn to make sox for my 8 month old grandson. I was thinking of a way to keep babies from losing their sox...make a long chain from one sock to another to be worn inside their pants, like the one you put on kids mittens....I think I just might do that.

When my kids were babies, I had a couple pairs of "shoes" that they wore just to keep their socks on. I wonder if a drawstring or loose elastic - or even a hair band - crocheted into the ankle of the sock would be enough to keep the socks on?

Mary

[jpr54_]

i have used tlc cotton blend, and patons kroy-
the yarns were easy to use-
the more difficult part of making socks is finding a pattern-
and making the adjustments for your foot-
there are may good links here at crochetville-
joanne

[yarnyviolet]

I wish I had this problem. Here in Germany sock yarn is EVERYWHERE. I have a hard time finding anything thicker than it. In the department stores all the samples that are knitted are socks unless it is a crocheted dishcloth. To find yarn in one colour is also a bit harder. I have to order ww yarn most of the time. Hmm....maybe I should just make socks until I get back to Canada. Most sock yarn has a bit of nylon or polymide in it to give it some strength.

Rachel

[runt315]

A lot of the "magic stripes" yarn is sock weight. Michaels has a booklet on crocheted socks, I think it was published by leisure arts or the school of needle craft and uses varies yarn weights.:cheer Ronni in NY

[rebeccav]

i just received several balls of sock yarn from www.knitpicks.com

great quality at WONDERFUL prices :cheer:hook

[jpr54_]

which sock yarn colors did u buy?
what pattern are you using?
joanne

[carrieanne]

Do you have a JoAnns? Ours JUST started carrying the Lion brand stripes stuff last week. I was so excited to touch some, instead of just seeing pictures.....

[flybabytina]

I juat made my first pair of crocheted socks using regular ole Red Heart (color Bikini) Even though i used a sock pattern, they are more like slipper-socks cuz they are so warm!

Tina