Have you ever been called a yarn snob? I recently was called one and by my husband no less, which made me stop dead in my tracks. When he said this I told him very firmly “No I’m not!” But deep down I was asking myself, “Am I a yarn snob? or Am I just embarrassed to admit that I do love a few of the commercial yarns available at my local Joanns and Michaels?” The answer, a little of both.
Way before the age of Ravelry and before I was an avid internet user, I was perfectly happy and content with my Lion Brand Wool-Ease and my Patons Classic Wool. But then I discovered the yarn stores that pack a wide array of yarns in different fibers and colors and the internet that inspired me with a wonderous collection of hand-dyed yarns. I soon found myself no longer enjoying the yarns I once I had and not for the reason you might think. The reason, people looked at me with a raised eyebrow when I told them liked Patons or I liked Lion Brand for certain projects, making me feel like I was a worthless knitter if I didn’t like the name brands or the very popular Indy Dyers that were rising above the rest. I’ve also found myself saying, “I can on knit with ….” and forget about the large stash of commercial yarns that I have begging to be used.
Duckies – Using two skeins of Patons Kroy Socks Jacquards in the colorway Cameo
So I pondered that statement from my husband and have come to realize that I have succombed to becoming a yarn snob, which isn’t a bad thing but it makes me realize that I’ve even stopped talking about certain yarns on my Fiber Friday spotlight for the fear of being chastised for enjoying a few certain commercial brands. But why, when many of these yarns are wonderful and very affordable.
So with this in mind, today I want to talk about a favorite sock yarn that I have used for many pairs of socks, but have only loaded one project into Ravelry, Another Pair of Duckies.
I love Patons Kroy Sock yarns for many reasons, but the main reasons, durability, range of colors, texture, feel and most of all, the affordability. I can knit a pair of socks for $9.00 versus $27.00, and that’s a bit difference. I can also tell you that I have a pair socks I knitted using Patons Stretch over three years ago that still look brand new and still wear great.
You can purchase the following three types of Patons sock yarn:
- Lightweight blend—perfect for socks all year long
- Breathable, comfortable—great for all kinds of socks
- Elastic helps maintain sock’s shape
- Crisp stitch definition
- Hand wash and dry flat
- Great self patterning – the yarn does all the work
- Traditional 4 ply: a favorite for socks, gloves and fine garments
- Total easy care with the luxury of wool
- Nylon improves wearability and softness
- Machine washable and dryable
- Self-patterning jacquards and stripes
- Traditional 4 ply: a favorite for socks, gloves and fine garments
- Total easy care with the luxury of wool
- Nylon improves wearability and softness
- Fabulous shade range from neutrals to brights
- Machine washable and dryable
As I leave you with my Fiber Friday Spotlight, I can share that I’m getting ready to cast on another pair of socks using my stash of Patons Kroy FX in Calla Lilly and the Harris Tweed Socks pattern designed by Ali Green.
So, do you find yourself being a yarn snob?
Do you love certain commercial brands and afraid to admit it?
I would love to hear from you.
Until next time, happy knitting, crocheting, spinning, weaving and crafting!
I can’t tell you how much I love this post! I’ve been accused of being a yarn snob as well because I prefer not to knit with acrylic yarn.
I’ve had several bad experiences with acrylic … the worst of which was when I knit a beautiful hunter green Saranac sweater for my husband and it stretched, and stretched, and stretched until it looked like a dress on him (and he’s 6 feet tall so that was no small feat!) after which I vowed never to use acrylic again.
But there are many natural fiber commercial yarns that I do love. Bernat Handicrafter Cotton is definitely one of my favorites. It makes THE best wash cloths and is a great yarn for kids sweaters because you can just throw it right in the wash. I do love a good easy care yarn!
Thank you Simone
Yes, I too do not care for many acrylics but will use them now and then for throws and afghans. I don’t mind acrylic blends for clothing, especially for my Mom, who prefers easy care (machine wash and dry) but I’m still a wool girl. I LOVE the Bernat Handicrafter cotton, which reminds me, I need to make a few wash cloths!
I love Paton’s Kroy sock yarn. In fact, every time I happen to be in our local Michael’s, Hobby Lobby or Jo-Ann’s I make a beeline to the sock yarn to check out new colorways & hope my favorites are on sale!
Me too Aimee! In fact the past weekend I picked up four skeins of Kroy at Hobby Lobby on clearance
I do love my expensive yarns but I’m also happy to work with the less pricey type too. I’m not a fan of acrylic simply because of how it feels in my hands. I have some Kroy in my stash that I’m hoping to use soon, my biggest issue has been time.
I say be happy with the things you like. Don’t let other decide what you can appreciate or enjoy.
Time is always an issue with a stash of yarn but it will get used. Thank you so much and yes, I shouldn’t let others dictate what I should or should not knit with
Happy knitting!
I so agree with all of the commenters here. In the past few years I have bought more higher end yarns. I used to knit many more socks than I have been and have used Patons Kroy Sock Yarn, Opal, Regia and other brands. In fact, I just finished knitting a pair of socks wirh Opal yarn my husband picked for himself.
I don’t like pure acryllic yarns but blends are great for wash and wear, especially for children and people who don’t have time or the inclination to hand wash hand knit items. Plus, several of my friends have issues with wool anything, so for them or their children I use blends.
If you like knitting with certain brands or fibres, go for it! No one has a right to dictate how or what you use to knit. Be true to yourself and your choices.
Great post, Tina!
Thank you so much Bonnie and I’m glad you enjoyed reading my post today. your hubby is going to love his socks out of the Opal, that’s an awesome sock yarn. Happy knitting dearest friend
I was just thinking about cravenella, that wonderful yarn we used in the 80′s – 70% wool part 30% rayon. It was the best of both worlds and there has never been anything like it.
I wonder why Melrose suddenly went out of business.
I’ve not heard of that brand but my Mom feels the same way about Wintuk, wondering why it is no longer around.
Was wintuk also made by Melrose?
I think so but I’m not quite sure.
I’m too much of a beginner to have an opinion on yarns yet. But I have noticed the elitism with yarn. I kind of fall into it too—avoiding certain common brand because they are lower quality. But I’ve never really used the cheaper brands so I can’t say from experience and my opinion is based on what I’ve heard on places like Ravelry.
In the end, I do know I prefer natural fibers to synthetic ones. I’m glad you posted this. I’m planning on making everyone in my family a pair of socks and I can’t afford to buy fancy yarn for them all and I’m not sure they’d want natural fibers that might require a bit more care with washing and wear. I’m on the look out for affordable quality sock yarns.
I prefer natural fibers as well but often run into the issue of folks not wanting to handwash items, so I often look for yarns that are durable, machine washable and dryable, and often blended with acrylic. The one thing I love about the Patons Sock Yarns, they are soft, come in great colors and are extremely durable.
I’m hoping to make the Nola Slippers/Socks for my Mom (she went through and picked out her favorite pattern and that was it). I noticed some Patons yarns would work well. So you’d recommend the brand?
I personally love Patons and recommend it for most knitting that requires worsted weight. I’ve used the Shetland Chunky for slippers, the Classic wool for warm house socks and tha Decor for sweaters and throws/afghans.
Liesl, another yarn for consideration for this particular project is Plymouth Encore. It’s much like the Patons Decor and knits nicely. It comes in solids, tweeds and Colorspun. You should be able to find this relatively available online and at your local yarn shop. I will be making a cardigan for my Mom this year using Encore simply because it’s easy care.
Thank you so much for all the suggestions, Tina. It’s greatly appreciated. It can all be a little overwhelming to a newbie knitter like me! I’ll send the links on the my Mom to see which Plymouth yarns look appealing to her. I also see they are available in a lot of local shops! Now I have excuse to go!
Thanks again!
You are most welcome and I’m glad it has helped
Thanks for the heads up on those Kroy Socks. That cameo colorway is quite gorgeous and I’m going to be knitting a lot of socks for Christmas. This might be one way for me to save money on the yarn expense!
You’re most welcome Angela