Hand-knitting socks/hose

[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.