I finished the experimental pair of socks on the 1/4-inch 56-peg CinDWood loom, using Paton's sock yarn, size #1. It's a really nice color -- Cadet. It's a thinner yarn than I was accustomed to using.
By the end, I just wanted to be done with them. Some people swear by Paton's sock yarn -- I don't quite see what all the fuss is about. The colors are nice -- and yes, it's real wool. But it has a roughness / coarseness that I did not feel in alpaca or in the merino Marly Bird Chic Sheep yarn (which is my preference). I am hoping it was just some stabilizer that would wash out once it was wet finished. [They do seem a little softer and fluffier after wet-finishing.] And they are definitely snugger than my previous socks made from thicker yarns--That was the point of this little experiment, to make some socks I might actually be able to wear to work in regular shoes.
Since it is a #1 size yarn, I had to make some slight adjustments in my usual sock pattern--mostly more rounds for the length of the foot. I had just a small ball of yarn left for each sock. I could have done several more rounds on the leg and cuffs, but, like I said, I just wanted it to be over sooner that later. It's a slightly snugger fit than the Marly Bird socks.
Toes - 9 in and 9 out
Foot - 75 - 80 rounds?
Heel - 9 in and 9 out
Leg - 45 rounds
Cuff - 25 rounds K2 P2
Super stretchy bind off.
Now I can start that red pair for my dad!
