The heel flaps are finished and I’ve started the cuffs which will continue in Clover Leaf Lace. This is the last skein of semi-solid Fishknits Yarn in my stash that isn’t set aside for another project. I have several skeins set aside for socks for Brad that require more than one skein for his size 13 feet.
I did find one lone skein that I don’t even remember buying, not familiar with the vendor, but it’s obviously an Indie dyer. I must have picked it up at DFW Fiber Fest sometime in the past. It’s a lovely creamy, golden yellow in BFL and nylon that will make great sock yarn.
I used to buy sock yarn without paying that much attention to the wool breed and I’ve ended up with a substantial stash from several vendors that is all Superwash Merino. Not the best wearing fiber for socks. Oh, it’s soft all right! But it pills and wears out sooner than something like BFL even with Nylon in the blend. Merino blend socks tend to draw in over a few washings to the point that you lose length in the cuff and the foot. I’ll save the rest of my Merino blend fingering yarn for shawls, scarves, and hats.
My favorite sock yarn from Fishknits is Jo Dee’s Boot Strap base which is Superwash BFL with Nylon. And I just remembered that I have one more skein of it in a deep green stashed away in my work room.
Anyway, I decided to go online and see what kind of yarn bases Knit Picks have to offer. I found their Hawthorne Fingering Kettle Dye that is a Fine Superwash Highland Wool with Nylon, 80%/20%, and ordered several skeins. The next time I feel the urge to cast on for socks I won’t have to make do with Merino that won’t hold up to wear and washing.
I also had a look at Paradise Fibers website but didn’t find anything that I liked. They do have some nice 100% wool fingering yarn but I prefer a wool/nylon blend for socks. Same with The Woolery website and The Yarn Barn of Kansas. They all had alpaca blends but I’d like to stick with sheep wool and nylon blends for socks.
I have the one skein of golden yellow BFL/Nylon on the yarn swift and ready to wind it into a cake for socks. I’ll weigh it after it’s wound, then I’ll wind it into two smaller cakes, weighing as I go to get as close to two equal cakes for two-at-a-time, toe-up socks.
Since I’ve begun the cuffs on the green socks I might as well cast on for another pair of socks for travel knitting. I’d rather sit in a waiting room knitting socks than be one of the crowd with my nose in a ‘smart phone.’ I only use my phone for…well…a phone, and for checking in to pick up my grocery orders, pizza to go, or waiting in line for a haircut.
I don’t do social media on my phone. I tried it. It’s a pain. I have a laptop and can go online a couple of times a day to check in with my MeWe knitting group, my Morning Brigade group on Gab, or see what is popping up on Facebook from local shops and restaurants. I also check in on Truth Social and Locals once or twice a day just for fun.
The weather is remaining somewhat reasonable, a sunny 88° and a bit humid. Brad is headed to the gun range and I’ve got a few loads of laundry to do before the weekend. Seems we have rather a lot of rain headed our way next week. It’s going to be some time before we can overcome the drought conditions and we need that rain.
Time to deal with laundry. The washer has stopped and I need to get that load in the dryer. Have a blessed RED Friday, ya’ll.
Rural Texas Knitter 