The Knitters Thread

iQueen

mardatha wrote: »

...or bedsocks

Eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeek! Anyone using 100% merino for bedsocks must be very 'well-shod'! I wish. :rotfl:

boredjellybean

iQueen wrote: »

100% Merino will make very soft, luxurious socks, but they will not stand up to much wear. Unless you are prepared to darn them every few weeks and accept that their life will still be short, I would not knit socks in it.

Socks need some manmade fibre to give them a long life.

Ideally, buy some 75% wool, 25% nylon sock wool, (which is 4ply) and a set of 2.75mm DPNs. Socks (and gloves) are knitted on smaller sized needles than usual, to give a denser (firmer) fabric for longer wear. The wool shop will usually supply a free printed pattern with the yarn.

If your merino is DK, you could use 3.75mm needles to knit a wonderful hat. If you use DK for socks, you will probably need more than 100g. Also, bear in mind that thicker socks may make the usual sized shoes quite tight and uncomfortable.

Here are some FREE easy sock patterns from Ravelry:

Men's Rib DK socks

Men's Aran weight rib socks

Men's Rib 4ply socks

Thanks for your advise Iqueen - I'm a bit miffed as I bought this yarn from a rather expensive wool shop & asked the ladies advise - I'm going to double check the yarn to check my facts but I feel quite miffed that she knew their purpose & hasn't really advised me very well... she did give me a pattern but it was for ladies socks & she couldn't help when I asked for adjustments for men's socks
I may rethink this entire gift

janb5

iQueen wrote: »

100% Merino will make very soft, luxurious socks, but they will not stand up to much wear. Unless you are prepared to darn them every few weeks and accept that their life will still be short, I would not knit socks in it.

Socks need some manmade fibre to give them a long life.

Ideally, buy some 75% wool, 25% nylon sock wool, (which is 4ply) and a set of 2.75mm DPNs. Socks (and gloves) are knitted on smaller sized needles than usual, to give a denser (firmer) fabric for longer wear. The wool shop will usually supply a free printed pattern with the yarn.

If your merino is DK, you could use 3.75mm needles to knit a wonderful hat. If you use DK for socks, you will probably need more than 100g. Also, bear in mind that thicker socks may make the usual sized shoes quite tight and uncomfortable.

Here are some FREE easy sock patterns from Ravelry:

Men's Rib DK socks

Men's Aran weight rib socks

Men's Rib 4ply socks

Hi which DK wool would you use for socks- I thought 4 ply was the usual choice but it would be great to use either. Thank you.

Apollonia

boredjellybean wrote: »

Thanks for your advise Iqueen - I'm a bit miffed as I bought this yarn from a rather expensive wool shop & asked the ladies advise - I'm going to double check the yarn to check my facts but I feel quite miffed that she knew their purpose & hasn't really advised me very well... she did give me a pattern but it was for ladies socks & she couldn't help when I asked for adjustments for men's socks
I may rethink this entire gift

This yarn IS suitable for socks - it's machine wash at 40C according to the label and the project pages on Ravelry show nearly 200 pairs of socks made from it:

http://www.ravelry.com/yarns/library/adriafil-knitcol/projects?category=socks&color=&craft=knitting&page=1&photoless=0&search=&status=finished


A quick glance at the finished projects show that most people are very happy with the results.

HTH

Apollonia

janb5 wrote: »

Hi which DK wool would you use for socks- I thought 4 ply was the usual choice but it would be great to use either. Thank you.

I've used any machine-wash DK - Sirdar Crofter, James C Brett Woodlander, Wendy Mode. Socks in DK knit up very quickly and they're great inside wellies or hiking boots for winter dog-walking!

OrkneyStar

Apollonia wrote: »

I've used any machine-wash DK - Sirdar Crofter, James C Brett Woodlander, Wendy Mode. Socks in DK knit up very quickly and they're great inside wellies or hiking boots for winter dog-walking!

I normally use 4 ply but have used DK for slipper socks. Currently knitting a pair in 6 ply and will decide if they are suitable for normal wear or not once done.

mardatha

This winter I'm using one strand of 4ply sock wool and one strand of mohair (designer wool that I got really cheap) - for extra thick cosy socks.

iQueen

boredjellybean wrote: »

Thanks for your advise Iqueen - I'm a bit miffed as I bought this yarn from a rather expensive wool shop & asked the ladies advise - I'm going to double check the yarn to check my facts but I feel quite miffed that she knew their purpose & hasn't really advised me very well... she did give me a pattern but it was for ladies socks & she couldn't help when I asked for adjustments for men's socks
I may rethink this entire gift

If the person who served you couldn't tell you how to adapt a basic sock pattern, it's no wonder she sold you pure merino! She doesn't appear to know much about either. Don't let it put you off - do one pair and you'll be addicted!

There are charts online, giving the measurements and stitch-counts for sock sizes, from child to adult males.

Don't rethink the pressie, get 100g of cheaper sock wool and use one of the links from Ravelry. Then, when you have time, knit yourself a lovely pair of luxuriously soft, posh merino socks - for best... and I would hand-wash them, too.

Hugs.

cuddles123

Just been to see my youngest grandson for his third birthday and took him for a ride on a steam train. He had to wear one of his new birthday jumpers that Grandma made!

iQueen

cuddles123 wrote: »

Just been to see my youngest grandson for his third birthday and took him for a ride on a steam train. He had to wear one of his new birthday jumpers that Grandma made!

WIKID! :beer: