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There are many fibers and blends that are great for socks, and pairing fiber and sock type can help your socks last.
Kate Larson5 min read
I am a firm believer in the “it depends” approach to spinning. While I have go-to fibers and yarn styles for socks, how I pair these choices ultimately comes down to what job I want my socks to do. Do I want cozy, soft bedsocks for winter or do I want socks that will stand up to the demands of my hiking boots?
Smooth gansey-style yarns make every stitch pop! Power of Ten Socks by Carol Huebscher Rhoades.
Because we can make whatever we like as spinners and knitters, we can pair fibers with different characters, yarn designs that balance durability and loft, and knitting patterns that match the gauge yarn we wish to create. What is the right recipe for combining these elements? Well, it depends! Here are a few great fibers I’ve been sampling for my fall sock-drawer needs and the patterns I’m musing about.
Note: Many of these patterns can be found in multiple places in the Spin Off Library and in back issues of the print magazine. Find more information below.
Fiber: Superwash Merino/nylon in Abalone from Created by Elsie B
Pattern: Lida Rose Socks by Anne Podlesak
This soft, crimpy superwash Merino is blended with 15 percent nylon for strength and durability. The dappled, complex dye effect paired with the squishy Merino made this fiber a great fit for a chain-ply structure. Most spinners find that chain-plying tends to produce a dense yarn, so I often prefer it paired with crimpy fibers that open up some loft and airiness despite the density of the ply structure. I could also spin this fiber with higher twist to create a less lofty but very durable yarn. Choices, choices.
Merino/nylon blend from Created by Elsie B.
I am considering the Lida Rose Socks pattern for this yarn. I have always wanted to knit this pattern, but knowing that I am hard on socks, the beautiful zigzag slip-stitch pattern made me nervous. Would my Doc Martins abraid this lovely pattern element? Probably. Planning for soft, cozy socks that keep my feet warm while treadling on cool evenings is the perfect fit for this pretty pattern and fiber combo.
Left: Kate’s chain-plyed yarn. Right: Lida Rose Socks, photo by Joe Coca.
Fiber: American Mixed Wool in Monet from Quillin Fiber Arts
Pattern: Eyelet Socks by Carol Rhoades
I purchased this fiber after reading the intriguing product description: “Works well for needle felting and handspinning. Does not wet felt particularly well. May not be considered next to skin soft by some.” When it arrived, I found it to be crimpy, super plump, and in that wonderful gray area of a “medium wool” in terms of hand. Combining this loft with the durability of a medium fineness and a disinclination to felting put this fiber on my sock short list.
American Mixed Wool from Quillin Fiber Arts
I wanted to create a sample I could try felting, so I pulled of a short chunk of combed top that included all the colors and split it into strips to try a fractal three-ply yarn. Once knitted, the swatch has nice marling and dappling of colors, creating a rich mix of colors that would still work for a sock pattern with a lacy motif. I could also chain-ply this top for strong, bold stripes, but in that case, I would probably choose a simple rib or stockinette pattern. Sock cuffs with fun patterns are fun to wear to fall fiber festivals where you’ll be surrounded with other folks who find joy in a colorful sock drawer.
Left: Kate’s fractal-spun sample is ready for a felting test. Right: Eyelet Socks Pattern, photo by Joe Coca.
Fiber: Corriedale in Lake Superior from Lisa Souza Dyeworks
Pattern: Spindle Spun Socks by Devin Helmen
One thing my sock collection needs more of is everyday socks. I’ve often chosen a special pattern or fiber for many pairs, but I also have a small group of socks that I wear hard while they are gentle to my feet. This new fiber base from Lisa Souza is in my queue for everyday socks. To sample, I spun a classic four-ply yarn because I initially thought that this sturdy Corrie base has moderate elasticity. A four-ply structure will help the yarn to be supple and knitted easily into a dense fabric. Then, I washed my skein and it plumped significantly! So, I then steamed a bit of the top.
Corriedale top from Lisa Souza Dyeworks. From the top left, you can see it unbraided, then opened a bit by hand, and then steamed.
I envision this fiber creating a great sock to pair with boots or clogs wherever my feet might take me.
Left: Four-ply has great stitch definition. Right: Spindle Spun Socks, photo by George Boe.
Fiber: Cheviot top from Eugene Textile Center
Pattern: Socks Fit for a Spinner by Sandi Rosner
Having purchased many braids of lovely Merino, Polwarth, and silk blends from Eugene Textile Center, I was excited to also find a batch of Cheviot dyed tops in their Red Alder Fiber Retreat booth several years ago.
Cheviot top from Eugene Textile Center
You might remember this fiber also made an appearance on the cover of Spin Off Fall 2022, and now it’s time to ply. To keep the colors sharp and clear with as little mixing as possible, I wanted a sock pattern that would would let these sturdy stripes live their best life in stockinette stitch. The Socks Fit for a Spinner pattern in Spin Off Fall 2024 would be a perfect match! Sandi Rosner’s pattern allows you to knit a small swatch and quickly adapt the pattern to match your yarn. The short-row heel allows colors to move through the sock uninterrupted. Should I add a contrasting color for heels and toes?
Left: Spin Off Fall 2022, photo by Matt Graves. Right: Once chain-plied, these fall colors are ready to jump onto Kate’s needles.
Put your yarn to work!
—Kate
Kate Larson, editor of Spin Off, teaches handspinning around the country and spends as many hours as life allows in the barn with her beloved flock of Border Leicesters.
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