Yarn Dopers: Help Me Find Sock Yarn

Cafe Society
1

I’ve recently taken to knitting socks. Once my first pair is done (halfway there!) I plan to do more. To that end, I would like to find some solid color sock yarn. My ideal yarn would have the following traits:

[ol]
[li]It is red. Not pink, RED[/li][li]It is at least 50-75% wool[/li][li]It is $6 USD or less a skein/ball/whatever[/li][/ol]

In addition to red, I am also interested in purple, grey, brown, grey and white/off-white.

Also - does anyone have a pattern for toe socks? I love toe socks, but have trouble finding them and the ones I have are nearly worn out.

Oh, hell, while I’m at it - anyone got glove patterns? Ideally, knit patterns I could then sew a leather palm on to (yes, I know how to work leather and obtaining suitable leather would be no problem.

2

Are you only looking for solids?

I like Knitpicks Stroll, but their Felici self-striping sock yarn, which is IMHO even nicer, has a grey-black-red called Firefighter.

I’m not a knitter so I can’t help you there but there’s loads of free patterns on Ravelry.com. Joiiinnn ussssssss

3

Some solid neutrals at yarn.com:
http://www.yarn.com/webs-knitting-crochet-yarns-sock-closeouts/kertzer-on-your-toes-4-ply-sock-yarn/

4

Right now, yep.

I have some sock patterns with interesting texture patterns. Solids will allow those to show to best advantage, whereas variegated yarns and self-stripers will tend to hide all the stitchwork.

Self stripers I might try later.

5

Oh, jeez, like I need another internet time sink…

You’ll probably see me there eventually.

6

Lang Jawoll has solid yarn in many colors. SimplySockYarn.com also has a proprietary yarn in many colors.

I am suspicious of KnitPicks’ own yarn. I have knit two pairs of socks from it, and they were the first ones to spring holes. I think their stock is poor quality. But maybe that’s just me.

I stalk sock yarn on eBay. If you are buying several balls at a time it’s often worthwhile to buy from international vendors who have much lower prices.

7

At $10 per 175 yds, it’s out of the OP’s budget.

I have had good experiences, especially for the price. I’m not one of those people who gets all how dare you say a word against knitpicks!!! though. Like anything, it probably depends.

OP, another site is littleknits.com. They have a lot of good clearance. Like all discounters you have to check back frequently to see what’s going on. But discounts of 50%+ are not unknown on really well known yarns.

8

Patons Kroy Sock is sold at Big box craft stores and has a small number of neutral solids:
http://patonsyarns.com/product.php?LGC=kroysocks&SPP=999

Wile the list price is $7.50 per 166 yds, there’s frequent 40% off coupons you can download for Michael’s, Jo-ann’s etc.

9

I’ve always had good luck with knitpicks, but they do have bad batches. A friend of mine got one. She called up knitpicks and they replaced the yarn though, so I would try that. I have always been pleased by their customer service.

And ravelry is definitely a time sink, but if you want free patterns it is the best resource you’ll find. By far. Go ahead and join; you won’t regret it.