Dawn Jacobson
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Senior Boarder
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Re:spinning sock yarn - 2007/06/20 13:44
macflutie wrote:
I have just purchased a Lendrum double treadle wheel, and have also been using a drop spindle. Any tips, advice, etc about spinning sock weight yarn on either would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks!
Think "fine, fine, fine," as you need to spin very fine singles. They also need to be overtwisted, as you'll lose approximately 50% of the twist when you ply and socks should be made out plied yarns--it wears better. My standard sock yarn (heck, my standard yarn  ) starts off as 3200 ypp singles, plied into 1600 ypp 2-ply. I use US#4 needles to crank out little "foot sweaters" (my DH's name for handknitted socks).
Any fine wool is great for socks. If you're not sure, give a bit the "bra test": tuck a small piece under your bra strap for 10-15 minutes. If you don't itch, you won't get itchy socks. Superwash Merino is a great choice for sock yarn, because it spins like a dream, is soft as butter, and you can throw the finished socks in the washer without them shrinking and felting.
Dawn Jacobson
http://dtjacobson.blogspot.com/
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