Knitch Magazine

Yarn Name: Kollage Sock-a-licious
Review Date: March 19, 2011
Date Introduced to Market: Fall 2010

Sock-a-licious Butterfly Hat Sock-a-licious Arrowhead Sock

The Look

There’s a delicious new tone-on-tone fingering weight yarn from Kollage Yarn aptly called Sock-a-licious. Easily mistaken for scoops of fruity ice cream, it looks good enough to eat, and is very tempting for knitters. A blend of 70% superwash fine merino, 20% nylon, and 10% mulberry silk, this yarn was created to be soft and luxurious. From Peru, where dyers are noted for their creativity and skill, Sock-a-licious is available in a dazzling array of colors that move from tone to tone in subtle shifts that won’t compete with intricate stitch patterns. It fools the eye into thinking that six or seven colors are just one. Lustrous silk enhances the fine merino; this yarn has a deep inner glow that brings the luscious colors to life.

The Feel

Sock-a-licious is velvety soft, just what you would expect from the merino/silk blend of fibers. Nylon will add strength that is needed especially for socks. Your feet will rate this yarn #9 on the softness scale.

Softness Scale

The Patterns

Kollage Yarns makes a number of patterns available to support this new yarn. There are easy heelless yoga socks, intricately cabled and lace socks, lace shawls, patterned caps, and baby jackets to inspire you. At a generous 354 yards per 100-gram skein, you will be able to knit a pair of socks or short shawl with just one skein. Supplement these choices with your favorite sock, shawl, or baby garment design; there are countless charming patterns available.

Color Range

Lace knitters adore skillfully dyed yarns that don’t compete with the elaborate and time-consuming stitch patterns. The short color runs are irregular and subtle. This yarn will not create striped or other consistently repeated patterns; there is an impression all-over color variation. The deeper tones will highlight and accent cable or lace stitches, but not camouflage them. Sock-a-licious is available in 12 tone-on-tone shades including naturals and bright berry shades so apt for spring and summer.

Working It

Sock-a-licious is as satisfying to knit as it is to enjoy visually. The soft yarn is pleasant to handle and the undulating color keeps dazzling the eyes. Add an interesting stitch pattern and you will have all the elements necessary for a good knitting experience. When this fingering weight yarn is knit at a relaxed gauge in an open lace pattern, it drapes gracefully and elegantly. When knit to gauge for socks, baby gear and hats, it has bounce and elasticity.

What I’d Like to Make with It

Cool spring days and summer air conditioning call for short shawls in seasonal colors. The warm winter shawl that kept you cozy through blizzardy days looks dull and drab against the sharp light and bright colors of summer. Besides, you will roast if you wear that heavy alpaca shawl. Spring and summer call for breezy lightweight shawls that cover shoulders but don’t cocoon. Use Sock-a-licious to knit yourself a little wrap to ward off the chill and make you the envy of everyone else in the room.

Knitting Outside the Box

What could be more charming than to create an updated version of a classic garment for a modern baby? Go to the library, research the internet, or dig through your own collection of vintage baby patterns and knit one up in Sock-a-licious. For real sophistication, choose the grey/neutral tones of Chateau or Moon Struck. Cheerful babies will bloom in Heather, Mango or Grape.

Blocking It

Lay flat to dry.

Washing It

Machine wash in cold water on gentle cycle with mild soap.

Wearability

Nylon and silk blended with the merino add strength to this otherwise very soft wool fiber, and that is important for socks, especially heels and toes. Machine wash-ability will ease the care for lacy baby garments, shawls, scarves and hats.

Overall Recommendation:

The silk content in Kollage’s Sock-a-licious makes this yarn stand apart from other sock yarns. Make Sock-a-licious your choice for its luster, softness, and drape. I rate it #9.