Another distraction and a question for a non-animal fiber knitter

I have taken a short break from Saffy to knit a scarf for my father. Upon hearing that my uncle received a hand knit, my father said, "Well, that's nice. [ pause] So, what, no scarf for me?" followed by a long discussion (or, perhaps, monologue is the better word to use here) of the perfect color gray. Not too dark, not too light.

Whilst shopping with my friend A, I came across some Cascade Pima Tencel. Ahh, just right.

 

The pattern is Kathy's sharfik that she designed for her own father. What a great pattern! The results are just lovely.

Also, even though I was sure I wasn't going to knit more socks, I'm now obsessed with some patterns in Folk Socks. But the problem is my allergies to all things animal, which means that all knitting in the Bestitched household is with plant or synthetic fibers. What's a girl to do? Where can I get some decent sock yarn that does not have any (I repeat, does not have any) wool or animal fiber. Suggestions needed!!!

Comments

[Heather]

wow..sharfik came out really great.

As far as decent non-animal sock yarn, i can't really help ya but I will keep a look out. Does silk count as animal? I mean technically it's worm barf, or something very similar. Just thought I'd check. :) H

[grumperina]

I'm loving your Sharfik. The color discussion sounds just like the ones I have with my family.

Non-animal fiber fingering weight cotton: Fortissima cotton. Very soft (don't know how it wears, though). 75% cotton, 25% polyester, 0% animal. I have some in baby pink, I can bring it by sometime if you want to see/pet.

[June]

I've haven't used the Fortissima yarn, but I heard on the old Knitlist that it is a little hard on the feet. People would say they could feel purl bumps. Dunno if that was the exception or the rule.

Another cotton yarn that was popular for socks was Cascade Fixation (cotton and lycra). It's much bulkier, though - I'd guess a sport to DK weight. I made socks with it once, I was not particularly impressed. But without an elastic component, cotton legs are a little limp.

I can't think of any non-wool sock yarns other than the Fortissima offhand, but I'd bet you could find all kind of fingering weight cotton, maybe a cotton/silk blend. Cotton and microfiber might give you a little bit of elasticity without the heaviness. Let me know if you want me to look specifically for brands.

Hey, maybe you can spin your own!? :D I know Louet puts out a to-die-for gorgeous 70/30 cotton/silk blend.

[June]

Just noticed Elann has a cotton/nylon fingering weight - it's not a smooth yarn, tho.
http://tinyurl.com/77894

[Siow Chin]

The scarf looks lovely and good luck finding the non-animal fibre sock yarn, I hope you'll be able to find the right yarn.

[Theresa]

I've used the Fortissima sock yarn a lot for a friend also allergic to wool, etc. The colors fade like crazy, but the yarn is holding up well otherwise and she finds them very comfortable.

[Carolyn]

Loving sharfik...what a great pattern. I suggest fortissima cotton. I knit a pair for my sister in it and haven't heard any complaints...well, maybe she hasn't worn them...

[Chris]

Sharfik turned out so well!

I'm with everyone on the Fortissima Cotton. I bought a bunch of it when it was on elann.com and have used it to knit a fingering weight tank. Not done with it yet, so I can't comment on the fading, but the yarn was nice to knit with.

[Eva (EvaLux)]

gorgeous sharfik :)
Cascade Fixation is 98.3% cotton , 1.7% elastic. So that might work. I've got some, but never knitted a sock so far. It's pretty elastic :)

Cheers

[Purly Whites]

What about Rowan 4 ply cotton or any of the equivalents? It's fingering weight and 100% cottong. It might not hold up well, but if you babied them and didn't wear them on hard wood floors, they'd last a while.

[Jennifer]

Great job on Sharfik. Good luck finding non-wool sock yarn. I'll let you know if I come across any. Socks are addictive...

[Lisa Christensen]

One of my customers with the princess foot syndrome (to which club I am also a member) recently suggested knitting the soles with the purl side out. Yes that would be reverse stockinette if you are going to be technical. And then it occured to me that i have worn purchased socks inside out for this very reason. I am making a pair of bootsocks out of the pima tencel using the mistake rib which so far works nice for the cotton type socks. Luck.