My first FO of 2008 is complete: a pair of socks made from Noro sock yarn. The colorway I picked was S95.
My ultimate take on the Noro sock yarn is that while I love this particular pair of socks, I’ll probably not knit this yarn again.
The color is undoubtably beautiful. Like other Noro yarns, the gradation between the colors is really the selling point. However, there’s just too many negatives (IMHO) to make it worth working with this yarn again.
One complaint I have is that there were under-spun sections of yarn that created thick sections and lumps in otherwise tightly knitted fabric. Another issue is the scratchy feel of the yarn. My friend Erica described it as feeling “like a dish scrubber” and I really don’t think she was exaggerating. On your feet, it really isn’t scratchy at all and I’m sure it will soften with wearing and washing, however while you’re knitting it, it’s very abrasive on your fingers. My cuticles became pretty sore by the time I was finishing up the second sock.
Even those issues I could get past if it weren’t for the ladders! I’ve never had this much of a problem with laddering before! It seems to be because this yarn has virtually no stretch to it.
Since I finished the Noro socks, I had more time to work on the socks I’m knitting for my husband. I mentioned these in my previous entry: I’m knitting them using the technique from Knitting Circles around Socks: Knit Two at a Time Using Circular Needles. I really feel like I’m getting the hang of the technique. I’m having less problems keeping my yarn from tangling, which was my main issue when I started.
I think I’m going to knit another inch or two before I start the heel flap. The only thing I’m a little concerned about is picking up the stitches to knit the gusset — it seems like things might get a bit tight on the needles. But we’ll see. I have faith in this book, as the directions have been great so far. This may become my new favorite technique for sock knitting.
Tuesday night is sock club at my LYS too. I’m excited because we’re going to be starting with a new pattern and new yarn. I can’t wait to see what we’ll be working on!
