I’ve been pattern-writing furiously, and it’s been raining furiously, everything around here has been a bit excessive, and so, just before noon I needed a break. I got in my car and drove down the mountain into town, to the , um…Local Yarn Shop. I brought home two new sock yarn brands to add to my existing sock yarn stash, so that now I have a bit of a selection for some serious sock yarn tasting !
Lets start with perhaps the top names in sock yarn, Madelinetosh’s ‘Tosh Sock’.
Label says: 100% superwash merino wool fingering weight -395 yards, color Ginger. Hand-dyed in USA , from South Africa.
Next, Shibui Sock.
Label says: 100% superwash merino 191 yards, color Wasabi. Made in Peru.
Next, Sweet Georgia ‘Tough Love Sock’.
Label says: 80% superwash merino / 20% nylon, 425 yards, color Cayenne. Hand-dyed in Canada, doesn’t say if it comes from elsewhere originally.
Last in this line-up, is perhaps my favorite, Malabrigo Sock.
Label says: 100% superwash merino, 440 yards, color Impressionist Sky. Made in Peru.
I am very attracted to Malabrigo for some reason, the skein is stout and heavy and has so much yarn, and it is also the finest/thinnest of all I’ve seen yet, which to me is a real lovely thing… cuz I am smitten with ultra-fine knitting. I designed my Pretty Little Things gloves with it and I’m sure I’ll not stop there.
I am loving the feel and visual texture of all four of these leading brands (well, from the LYS at least) and though there are more brands, I figured, I’d start with these. I will let the knitting and the knitted fabric & feel of the finished sock be the judge, as I am challenging myself to a bit of a sock-fest, reasoning thus far undisclosed, but expect some posts about it coming up in the next few weeks.
Have you tried any of these brands ? What do you think?
Jenjoyce Design 
All four seasons. I always see spring as green, summer as a hot orange, autumn as a yellow/brown and blue for winter.
Socks for the whole year?
SO insightful Lizzi ! I did nay even see that !
I haven’t heard of sweet Georgia, but the other 3 are all ones I’ve been wanting to try.
Hi Pia ! Sweet Georgia had *JUST* arrived at the LYS. In fact, it was so funny, the shop owner forgot it was there, she was telling me all about the other brands, then she said, oh wait, there’s the ‘other one’ that just came in’ and she led me to a display wall. There it was… nice big fat skeins (I do love a plump skein of yarn …lol)
🙂 I look forward to seeing what you think of them all!
That green is gorgeous!!!!! I haven’t tried any of these specific yarns. There are so many sock yarns out there, I don’t think I’ll ever be able to sample them all… But, I’ll keep on trying! 😉
What , my dear R. , will you be making your tee out of ??? 🙂 xx
Hi Jennifer! I have tried all but the Sweet Georgia. I loved them all. The Shui Bui I had in a dusty pink and the socks are delightful! The stitches have remained nicely crisp, and oh, so soft! Have fun!!