On the Eighth Day of Sock Yarn, Simply Sock Yarn Gave to me...
A skein of Sweet Georgia's Silk Crush.
To enter to win this silky skein, simply answer the following question in the comments section below:
What type of sock yarn do you knit most often? a) self-patterning/striping like Opal or Austermann, b) variegated colors like Lorna's Laces multicolors or Alchemy's Juniper Sock, or c) semi-solid or solid colors like Simply Sock Yarn's Solids or Alpaca Sox Kettle Dyed or Solids.
I most often knit vareigated colors. I'm a sucker for color, and since I most often choose a yarn I want to knit and THEN find a pattern that goes with it (rather than starting a project b/c I want to knit a particular pattern). It's the yarn that calls my name. But this year I knit several self patterning Opal socks and also knit String Theory Colorworks's hand dyed striping yarn three times. And you know what? Those are the proejcts I actually finished. I finished every single self-patterning or self-striping socks that I started. And I finished them in a timely manner too. So I'm wondering if that says something about my true preferences, or perhaps the addictiveness of yarns that change as you knit them. I just want to keep going and see what develops next.
If you haven't tried a self-patterning or striping yarn before, I highly recommend giving it a go. You can find several options by going here and looking at Austermann, Berroco, Cherry Tree Hill (cool, thin stripes), Crystal Palace Mini Mochi, Opal, and Zauberball (and String Theory Colorworks when I get more in stock after Christmas). There really is something for everyone and it could be just the thing to restart your sock knitting mojo, should you ever find it waning.
Pretty yarn. I bounce between varigated and self striping yarns. I like watching varigated knit up to see how the colors stripe or pool.
Posted by: Cynthia | December 20, 2010 at 01:21 PM
I love Opal: self-striping and solids!
Posted by: Pamela | December 20, 2010 at 01:23 PM
I've been knitting with a lot of self stripping yarn lately.
Posted by: kelley | December 20, 2010 at 01:25 PM
Looking at completed socks I seem to go for self striping first with varigated seconds. However I have been looking for more semi solids or solids to knit more complex patterns with.
Posted by: Rachel | December 20, 2010 at 01:26 PM
Since I enjoy knitting plain vanilla socks, I love self-striping yarns. Variegateds, too!
Posted by: Wendy | December 20, 2010 at 01:29 PM
I have to pick just one kind? YIKES!!! I love them all, but right now I'm leaning towards the semi-solids.
Posted by: Diane Psota | December 20, 2010 at 01:34 PM
I just love the colors of Lorna's Laces yarn. However, after browsing through your pages, I see so much fantastic yarn. Handmaiden looks like they have some beautiful colors.
Posted by: Julie | December 20, 2010 at 01:35 PM
Mostly variegated, but I've been gravitating toward semisolids for cables.
Posted by: Catherine | December 20, 2010 at 01:35 PM
I have only used self pattering/striping yarn for socks. I have only knit socks for my husband so colors have not been to exciting. Lots of blacks & greys. Would love some pretty yarn to make a fun pair for myself!
Posted by: Tina | December 20, 2010 at 01:36 PM
I love variegated yarn. I like to use it for scarves, too.
Posted by: Beverly Shearon | December 20, 2010 at 01:48 PM
OPal and then hand dyed yarn....variegated and colorful....I am a sucker for pretty sock yarn...any sock yarn.....
Posted by: Cathy Goldman | December 20, 2010 at 01:49 PM
I've knit with all of these choices, but I've found the semi-solid to be my favorites.
Posted by: Susan C. | December 20, 2010 at 01:49 PM
I love self striping sock yarn for the shawlettes that I make. The changes in color keep my interest up!
Posted by: Andrea W | December 20, 2010 at 01:51 PM
I like self-patterning yarn, being a relatively new knitter.
Posted by: Elaine | December 20, 2010 at 01:53 PM
OKAY! me, too...I pick the variegated colors, but I've noticed that I finish the projects with self-patterning yarns!!!
I would still pick variegated yarn if I had my choice...the colors make me swoon.
Posted by: Christine | December 20, 2010 at 01:53 PM
I love to knit socks and I love how varigated yarns can turn something simple into something amazing...
Posted by: Kathy Brandon | December 20, 2010 at 01:54 PM
I knit mostly with variegated yarns (LL most often). But I discovered, like you, that I always finish the self-patterning/striping projects because I get such a thrill out of watching the colors/patterns change. Noro Kureyon sock yarn can be so frustrating to knit for a variety of reasons, but I just love working with the color changes, blends, and textural variations that I find it completely addictive. I just started a plain stockinette pair out of Opal and am loving them!
Posted by: Janet Miller | December 20, 2010 at 01:59 PM
I mostly use variegated and semi-solids, although the family does get to chose the yarn for their socks, usually the brighter the better.
Posted by: Laura | December 20, 2010 at 02:00 PM
I'm split about 50/50 between using a yarn that does all the work and using a solid with a complex pattern.
Posted by: Toby | December 20, 2010 at 02:02 PM
Definitely variegated. I love the extra colors without extra work.
Posted by: Kay | December 20, 2010 at 02:02 PM
I tend to use variegated most often, as the colors really pop in them and keep my attention when I'm knitting (it's like a mystery - what's next!) However, the patterns I like most often lend themselves best to semi-solid or solid colors because of the complicated stitch patterns.
Posted by: Deb K. | December 20, 2010 at 02:07 PM
I generally tend toward the variegated yarn because I love the colors, but lately I've been using more semi-solids to show off some neat patterns. And I've been buying more self-striping yarns :)
Posted by: Vicki | December 20, 2010 at 02:08 PM
I use variegated and semi-solids/solids most often. I love the colors in variegated yarns, but also like solids for the "fancier" patterns.
Posted by: Adriana | December 20, 2010 at 02:08 PM
I hate when self-patterning yarn doesn't behave, so I tend to use mostly semi-solids and kettle-dyed, to avoid the problem of pooling. But I would like to try String Theory Colorworks Continuum to see if wider stripes behave better...
Posted by: mellenknits | December 20, 2010 at 02:10 PM
I am very new to sock knitting still, but think the Araucania Ranco Multi will be my favorite, with the Zauberball purple/orange being a very close second. I say Ranco Multi first, because I love the way the colors blend together, and I'm not overly fond of actual striping. The Zauberball though, I just LOVE the way the colors slowly shift.
Posted by: Melissa Cherney | December 20, 2010 at 02:12 PM
All of the above but mainly semi solid or solid so I can do more patterning.
Posted by: Lynn | December 20, 2010 at 02:14 PM
I like knitting socks out of semi-solids, mostly, as I tend to gravitate toward complicated patterns that work best without colour interference, but I have some stunning variegated fingering yarn just calling out to become a scarf or a shawl of some sort. Soon, my pretties!
Posted by: MayaMoonie | December 20, 2010 at 02:16 PM
I use a lot of the self patterning sock yarns. Just love them!
Posted by: Tricia | December 20, 2010 at 02:20 PM
I tend to choose semi-solids.
Posted by: Mary T | December 20, 2010 at 02:22 PM
I mostly knit with variegated yarn. I love watching the yarn change colors as I knit. This year I plan to knit with solids more and possibly something in Fair Isle.
Posted by: Lisa Viviano | December 20, 2010 at 02:23 PM
So pretty!! I mostly use variegated or shaded yarns because I love the play of colors as I knit. I mostly make shawls, but have been known to make socks and fingerless mitts to match. I also like trying different fibers and combinations of fibers.
Posted by: Kathy Sue | December 20, 2010 at 02:23 PM
I LOVE self-striping/self-patterning sock yarn! It looks great for even the simplest pattern.
Posted by: Brenda | December 20, 2010 at 02:25 PM
Simply Socks has nice stockinette patterns.
Posted by: April | December 20, 2010 at 02:28 PM
I've used them all but am totally fascinated by self patterning/striping ones. I know what will happen next but it's always interesting to watch it!
Posted by: Marilyn | December 20, 2010 at 02:32 PM
I love to knit with multicolor yarn of a variety of types.
Posted by: Alene Sternlieb | December 20, 2010 at 02:35 PM
I use mostly self-striping yarns for my carry along sock project, because I think those look best with a plain sock pattern. I use variegated and solid/semi-solid often for shawls.
Posted by: Sarah | December 20, 2010 at 02:36 PM
I love stripes and use Knitterly Things Vesper a lot. I also loved Woolen Rabbit sock yarn and Ball and Skein sock yarn. It's especially nice because all of those dyers are friends of mine.
Posted by: Carole | December 20, 2010 at 02:37 PM
I used to knit more with self-patterning yarns, but I seem to have shifted more towards solids and semi-solids now. That is because I have gone in the direction of socks with stitch pattern or colorwork. It's fun to hold two different yarns together and see what colorwork possibilities are there.
Posted by: Nancy | December 20, 2010 at 02:37 PM
I think I approach yarn use like you do... try to match the yarn to the project either because I find a project that I want to do so I find a similar yarn (how nice when it's in the stash!) or have a yarn I just have to knit so I'll search for something to go with it. It's usually fingering weight, though, whichever it is... semi-solid, self-striping, wildly colored, or sometimes even solid color (no, say it isn't so!) particularly when knitting for my husband (any color you like as long as it's navy)
Posted by: Mimi Dillman | December 20, 2010 at 02:38 PM
i own mostly semi-solid sock yarn. but i have just fallen in love with the hand-dyed, variegated stuff!
my first socks were in self-patterning, which made all my non-knitting friends think i was the best knitter ever, haha.
Posted by: captainsharmie | December 20, 2010 at 02:39 PM
I love Lorna Laces and the colors they make. But in all honesty, if I see a skein of sock yarn and fall in love with it....well it doesn't count as stash right?
Posted by: Debbie B | December 20, 2010 at 02:47 PM
I feel the same way. Vareigated yarns SCREAM to me but the socks I've knit that are PAIRS were mostly from Opal and Regia and Austermann Step. I've only got a handful of yarns I won't knit with ever again and most of those had glorious color but unpleasant fibers or irked me for some reason (i.e. Cascade Fixation; HATE the stretch).
Posted by: StatenIslandSusan | December 20, 2010 at 02:54 PM
Mostly handpainted are in my stash, with a sprinkle of stripes
Posted by: Terri Brinegar | December 20, 2010 at 02:54 PM
I love variegated yarn - the more color, the better.
Posted by: Candi | December 20, 2010 at 02:55 PM
I usually knit with varigated and love unusual colorways. But my addiction to sock yarn is such that I will knit with most any sock yarn that finds its way to my knitting needles.
Posted by: Nel | December 20, 2010 at 02:58 PM
I have knit mostly with self patterning sock yarn, but have started (hording) stashing semi-solid. I have lots of hats and fingerless mitts in my queue to knit with these.
Posted by: Stephanie M | December 20, 2010 at 03:00 PM
I most often knit with semi solid just because it helps the pattern stand out but all sock yarn is fun!
Posted by: susan carter | December 20, 2010 at 03:00 PM
Oops forgot my email to last post!
Posted by: susan carter | December 20, 2010 at 03:02 PM
I love variegated in the skeins, but then have trouble matching to a pattern. So I've been leaning more to semi-solids lately.
Posted by: Joni | December 20, 2010 at 03:03 PM
I like textures and cables - so I like solids and semi-solids. But it's hard to pass up some of the variegated colorways. Dyers are so wonderfully creative....
Posted by: larissa | December 20, 2010 at 03:08 PM
Self striping. I'm a sucker for color!
Posted by: Traci Frederick | December 20, 2010 at 03:19 PM
I love Opal Rainforest yarns. The self patterning designs are fun and the colors fabulous. Also, the Opal socks wear really well. There's nothing worse than spending weeks knitting a pair of socks to have them wear thin within a month. I have Opal socks I've worn for years!
Posted by: Deborah | December 20, 2010 at 03:19 PM
I knit with variegated yarn for plain vanilla socks and use the tonal or semi solid for patterned socks or shawls, gloves and mitts. I love working with this yarn weight the best.
Posted by: Chris | December 20, 2010 at 03:23 PM
My stash is predominantly variegated sock yarn.
Posted by: Kathleen B. | December 20, 2010 at 03:23 PM
In the past I mostly knit self patterning yarns but I find I am getting very tired of them. I do like variegated yarns by the geniuses at Alchemy & DIC. But I also am very fond of kettle dyed.
Posted by: Donna | December 20, 2010 at 03:25 PM
I like handknitting w/self patterning + variegated equally...fun to watch the pattern develop. Since I also sell socks though...I use all kinds inc solids/ heathers/etc. Luckily my husband likes all colors....even pink! Prefers an earthtone heather w/ contrast heels + toes though. If using my knitting machine...it's mostly Kroy + 4 ply Regia although some other brands @ times. Limited choices locally. Very funky skein featured today...I think I see a cowl hiding in there!!!
Posted by: Andrea W | December 20, 2010 at 03:26 PM
I mostly knit with variegated colors but recently, I find myself drawn to semi-solids. For intricate lace patterns, I like to use semi solids to show it off. I buy yarn purely for color with no particular project in mind!
Posted by: Kathryn | December 20, 2010 at 03:35 PM
I like Lorna's Laces Shepherd stock a lot. This year I knit my first pair of socks with Koigu and loved it. I can't wait to knit with it again.
Posted by: Jenn | December 20, 2010 at 03:39 PM
Mostly I've used semi-solid but I've got some variegated skeins waiting for me to wind.
Posted by: Amy | December 20, 2010 at 03:41 PM
I am a total sucker for self-patterning yarns whenever I'm doing a mindless basic sock pattern. For a more complex design I stick with the semi-solids so the pattern will pop out. :)
Posted by: Selena | December 20, 2010 at 03:52 PM
I love varigated yarn and this one is very special!! I, too, usually fall in love with yarn and then search for the pattern. I have a hard time the other way around.
Posted by: julie. depauw | December 20, 2010 at 03:53 PM
Hmm...probably Opal. Or Three Irish Girls Adorn.S
Posted by: Stacy and the rugrats | December 20, 2010 at 03:55 PM
I have a whole beach bag full of mostly handpainted (I think I have one solid sunny yellow skein). I fall in love with the colors in the skein, fall out of love with the colors when caked, and rediscover some color love when knitted up. I'm getting better at pattern selection with the variegated yarns.
Posted by: deetyblue | December 20, 2010 at 03:58 PM
Variegated! Hands down! I too am a sucker for color and almost always pick yen first and project later!
Posted by: Anne fiorenza | December 20, 2010 at 04:01 PM
opal especially the heavierweight. Jane
Posted by: Jane | December 20, 2010 at 04:07 PM
Probably vareigated because it's so much fun to buy, but I like the others too.
Posted by: Alison | December 20, 2010 at 04:11 PM
I love variegated or self striping yarns. It helps keep my interest in the knitting because I like to see the next color come up.
Posted by: Lynn | December 20, 2010 at 04:11 PM
When I started knitting socks, I usually used striping yarns. But now I have been using more varigated yarns. Malabrigo Archangel being my favorite from this past year.
Posted by: Heather | December 20, 2010 at 04:18 PM
I am drawn to variegated yarns or self striping.
Posted by: Rasa | December 20, 2010 at 04:27 PM
I love self striping and tonal variations in sock yarn. Thanks for hosting the giveaway!
Posted by: Megan | December 20, 2010 at 04:28 PM
Variegated! And I LOVE Sweet Georgia yarn!
Posted by: Michelle | December 20, 2010 at 04:31 PM
I have been knitting socks for many years for my husband mostly (40 pairs to date) and my family members occasionally. I like to do the afterthought heel which I reinforce as I do the toes. It's easier than turning the heel and easily replaceable if a hole should find it's way. I use all of the sock yarns available, striped, solids, multicolors and with left overs I make my own designs based on the Scandinavian patterns using them and a solid color. Pable Neruda wrote a wonderful poem about the gift of socks which I include when I give them as a gift.
Posted by: Rollie Abkowitz | December 20, 2010 at 04:36 PM
I mostly knit with varigated yarns, especially handpainted ones. Like you, I match pattern to yarn and not the other way 'round, and those look the most scrumptious in the skein.
I often find myself admiring cable or lace socks, though, and thinking I should really add some semi-solids to my stash.
Posted by: Arian | December 20, 2010 at 04:36 PM
I started with the variegated, but now I am almost through the variegated sock yarn stash. Right now, I tend to buy more semi-solids or very subtle variegated yarn. I only have a few skeins of plain solid sock yarn.
Posted by: kelly-ann (on ravelry) | December 20, 2010 at 04:42 PM
I always knit socks in solid colors - I'm not sure why, now that I think about it! But I make a lot of shawls in self-striping and variegated yarns, so I like all three!
Posted by: Rachel | December 20, 2010 at 04:48 PM
Most of my socks have been done with self-striping yarns, but I'm now branching out into the semi solids and doing more patterns in the socks.
Posted by: Barbara | December 20, 2010 at 04:51 PM
My favorite is variegated, because I love seeing the colors appear under my needles.
Posted by: NancyN from Texas | December 20, 2010 at 04:55 PM
I had been using self-striping yarns for the most part. I just recently bought myself some solid color yarn so that I can do some pattern work and be able to see it more easily. At least that's the theory :)
Posted by: Michelle | December 20, 2010 at 04:56 PM
I love self striping yarn. I too have discovered that those are the socks I finish. Although I did do my brother's in record time and it was just a dusky green. I don't have a favorite yarn, whatever strikes my fancy.
Posted by: Jean Folkerth | December 20, 2010 at 05:04 PM
It's hard to say which kind of sock yarn I knit most often, because I use all kinds: self-patterning or self-striping or variegated yarn for plain stockinette socks, tamer variegated yarn for simpler patterns, and solid or semisolid for more intricate patterns.
Posted by: Karalee | December 20, 2010 at 05:07 PM
I mostly love veriagated yarns, because I love color. I have even dyed my own because I couldn't find that just perfect blend of color. Debbie in Alaska
Posted by: Debbie H | December 20, 2010 at 05:20 PM
I like the self striping yarn like opal. fun to watch how the colors in the stripes unwind.
Posted by: Lou Davis | December 20, 2010 at 05:26 PM
If you looked at my stash, it would indicate variegateds, followed by semi-solids and self-stripers bring up the rear. However, my love of patterned knitting means I should be using more semi-solids, because patterns can get lost in the variegateds. (Then again, Christmas socks were 4 solid yarns and one variegated. So who knows? Certainly not me!)
Posted by: Sarah | December 20, 2010 at 05:27 PM
Varigeated, striped, solid, I love them all!
Posted by: Kathy | December 20, 2010 at 05:39 PM
So far, self-striping is my favorite, but I've not really knit socks yet. This year I knit seven bookmarks from Mini Mochi that I won in a contest! I still have one skein and a part, so now I have to find something else to knit!
Posted by: Jan | December 20, 2010 at 05:50 PM
I prefer solids and semisolids since I like textured knitting. Solids tend to show off the texture better.
Posted by: Wanda | December 20, 2010 at 05:56 PM
Without a doubt variegated,hand painted yarns are my very favorites. I like to knit socks,scarves, hats, mitts out of it. I must admit that the self patterning yarns like Opal do keep me going to see what's going to happen.
Posted by: Natalie | December 20, 2010 at 05:57 PM
Definitely variegated yarn. I too am a sucker for color. I have several patterns I want to knit and I love picking the yarn to go with them. Thanks to Allison I plenty to choose from - but still never enough. :)
Posted by: Renee' | December 20, 2010 at 05:58 PM
Self-patterning/striping are what I generally seem to finish, although I have a lot of variegated yarns in inventory that have yet to develop either into socks or some other great project.
Posted by: Jaye | December 20, 2010 at 05:59 PM
I like Lorna's Laces the best. Seems to wear well, stitches look sharp, soft, pretty colors to make me want to knit.
Posted by: Joanie | December 20, 2010 at 06:00 PM
I love them all! Right now my fascination is for semi solids.....
Posted by: Teri | December 20, 2010 at 06:04 PM
I go thru phases. I started with self patterning, then did kettle-dyed solids and plain solids, I went thru a varigated phase, and now I am back to self patterning. Socks are my go to project for social and around the town knitting...so I've been doing plain vanilla sock pattern in really crazy self patterned yarns that have nylon. I wear my socks EVERY day and they need to be very sturdy.
Posted by: Robin Clark | December 20, 2010 at 06:06 PM
I love variegated yarn for both socks and scarves. I knit socks for my daughter. She works in a hospital as a dietitian, and has a very strict dress code, but she can wear any kind of socks she wants. So she jazzes up her life with fabulous, colorful, handknit socks. For scarves I try to keep the colors more subtle.
Posted by: Nathanne | December 20, 2010 at 06:09 PM
I am always experimenting with different sock yarns including various small-produced hand-dyed yarns. It is all just fun and comfy.
Posted by: Elizabeth | December 20, 2010 at 06:12 PM
I knit mostly with variegated yarn but must agree that I finish any self striping yarn projects much faster.
Posted by: Anne | December 20, 2010 at 06:33 PM
Mostly I knit with self striping 'cause I went kind of crazy buying that yarn when I first started knitting socks. I love to watch the colours/patterns change too.
Posted by: Maureen L | December 20, 2010 at 06:36 PM
These days it's semi-solid or solid. I'm having a romance with cables and they really show off best when they don't fight with the patterning of the yarn.
Posted by: Karen | December 20, 2010 at 06:41 PM
Semi-solids, since I knit a lot of lace, but I've used and like them all.
Posted by: Lynne | December 20, 2010 at 06:41 PM
I tend to use variegated or self-striping yarns. I like the color play!
Posted by: Angela | December 20, 2010 at 06:42 PM
I don't think I can say one way or the other. I like all kinds of yarn. I do, however, really enjoy knitting with self-patterning yarns. I just finished two hats using Opal Rainforest Schmetterling, holding the self-striping yarn together with a solid for both. It was amazing how different the two hats looked, one with the gray solid and the other with orange.
Posted by: Becky | December 20, 2010 at 06:45 PM