# Yarn Dopers: Help Me Find Sock Yarn **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [November 5, 2011, 11:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yarn-dopers-help-me-find-sock-yarn/602006 "2011-11-05T23:11:46Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 9\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2011, 11:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yarn-dopers-help-me-find-sock-yarn/602006/1 "2011-11-05T23:11:46Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![Hello\_Again](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/85e7bf/32.png) [@Hello\_Again](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hello_Again)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2011, 11:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yarn-dopers-help-me-find-sock-yarn/602006/2 "2011-11-05T23:40:22Z")
Are you only looking for solids? I like [Knitpicks Stroll](http://www.knitpicks.com/Essential+_YD5420133.html), but their Felici self-striping sock yarn, which is IMHO even nicer, has a grey-black-red called [Firefighter](http://www.knitpicks.com/yarns/Felici_Fingering_Self_Striping_Sock_Yarn__D5420165.html). I’m not a knitter so I can’t help you there but there’s loads of free patterns on [Ravelry.com](http://Ravelry.com). Joiiinnn ussssssss ---
**Author:** ![Hello\_Again](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/85e7bf/32.png) [@Hello\_Again](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hello_Again)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2011, 12:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yarn-dopers-help-me-find-sock-yarn/602006/3 "2011-11-06T00:14:18Z")
Some solid neutrals at [yarn.com](http://yarn.com): [http://www.yarn.com/webs-knitting-crochet-yarns-sock-closeouts/kertzer-on-your-toes-4-ply-sock-yarn/](http://www.yarn.com/webs-knitting-crochet-yarns-sock-closeouts/kertzer-on-your-toes-4-ply-sock-yarn/) ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2011, 2:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yarn-dopers-help-me-find-sock-yarn/602006/4 "2011-11-06T02:29:48Z")
> [@Hello\_Again](#): > > Are you only looking for solids? 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. ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2011, 2:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yarn-dopers-help-me-find-sock-yarn/602006/5 "2011-11-06T02:31:49Z")
> [@Hello\_Again](#): > > I’m not a knitter so I can’t help you there but there’s loads of free patterns on [Ravelry.com](http://Ravelry.com). Joiiinnn ussssssss Oh, jeez, like I need another internet time sink… You’ll probably see me there eventually. ---
**Author:** ![Sattua](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sattua/32/11906_2.png) [@Sattua](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sattua)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2011, 2:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yarn-dopers-help-me-find-sock-yarn/602006/6 "2011-11-06T14:15:14Z")
Lang Jawoll has solid yarn in many colors. [SimplySockYarn.com](http://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. ---
**Author:** ![Hello\_Again](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/85e7bf/32.png) [@Hello\_Again](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hello_Again)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2011, 3:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yarn-dopers-help-me-find-sock-yarn/602006/7 "2011-11-06T15:40:18Z")
> [@Sattua](#): > > [SimplySockYarn.com](http://SimplySockYarn.com) also has a proprietary yarn in many colors. At $10 per 175 yds, it’s out of the OP’s budget. > [@](#): > > 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 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](http://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. ---
**Author:** ![Hello\_Again](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/85e7bf/32.png) [@Hello\_Again](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hello_Again)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2011, 3:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yarn-dopers-help-me-find-sock-yarn/602006/8 "2011-11-06T15:52:53Z")
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](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. ---
**Author:** ![miss\_elizabeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/838e76/32.png) [@miss\_elizabeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/miss_elizabeth)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2011, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yarn-dopers-help-me-find-sock-yarn/602006/9 "2011-11-06T18:23:39Z")
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.