Hand-knitting socks/hose

[MacKenzie]

What are your favourite yarns?

I only know yarn by association. Mrs. MacKenzie crochets. I will ask what her favorites are.

I just know that something made with yarn that is spun from natural fibers has a much better feel than acrylic (all or partially). And I'm told is a LOT easier to work with... it's not as "slippery", whatever that means. She generally won't spend the $ for the really nice yarns, so I gift her with some occasionally.

[Tobus]

I only know yarn by association. Mrs. MacKenzie crochets. I will ask what her favorites are.

I just know that something made with yarn that is spun from natural fibers has a much better feel than acrylic (all or partially). And I'm told is a LOT easier to work with... it's not as "slippery", whatever that means. She generally won't spend the $ for the really nice yarns, so I gift her with some occasionally.

In my limited experience, I agree that natural fibers are much better to work with. In my photo above of partial socks, those are all with aran-weight wool. I use stainless steel needles, and don't mind the slipperiness of the yarn on the needles. Everything glides and stretches, helping me not to knit everything too tight. But the camo sock I posted was with an acrylic yarn, and it's very sticky on the needles as well as on itself in the stitches. It has no loft and no stretch, so it's pretty unforgiving. It's like knitting with cord rather than yarn. I feel like I'm fighting with it the whole time. After I finish the second sock to match that one, I'm going back to wool/merino/alpaca/viscose blends.

[Tobus]

I don't know why I find this hilarious, but I do. When I start knitting a toe-up sock and get past the toe increases, I switch over to circular cable needles with a stitch marker in place for the beginning of my round.

At that point, the toe of the sock looks like a little German hat.

[EagleJCS]

I don't know why I find this hilarious, but I do. When I start knitting a toe-up sock and get past the toe increases, I switch over to circular cable needles with a stitch marker in place for the beginning of my round.

At that point, the toe of the sock looks like a little German hat.

That puts me in mind of the hats Richard Scarry draws on Lowly Worm.

Wow, that makes me feel old!