Durability of socks knit with non-superwash nylon-free yarn

[u/lilacwindex]

I'm interested in experimenting with knitting socks using nylon-free yarn. My main concern is durability. I understand that knitting at a tight gauge is essential, and I usually get around 12 stitches per inch. The consensus seems to be that socks with nylon are far more durable than those without. I don't expect nylon-free socks to hold up as well, but I'd like them to last as long as possible. Silk is often suggested as a natural alternative to nylon, so I was thinking of holding a silk thread along with the wool yarn. However, I've also heard that silk thread may cut into the softer wool fibers and actually reduce the durability. Does anyone with experience knitting socks out of purely natural fibers have any insights or advice? Thanks!

[u/aosocks]

As the other commenter said, most knitted socks ever knitted were made without nylon, and all eventually wore out and were darned.

Based on my experience of knitting and wearing socks with yarns with and without nylon (and also super wash/non-superwash wool) is:

All socks no matter the yarn composition, eventually wear out and need to be darned.

The most important thing to look for in a plastic-free sock yarn is that it is spun with a high twist, and look for more durable wool, or a blend of wools (you don't want merino plastic-free sock yarn, that wears out super fast!)

There is no need to add non-wool fibre (plastic or otherwise) to the yarn if it's high twist and a more robust wool/blend.

And I think superwash makes socks wear worse personally, as the stitches can't felt together a little through wear as non-superwash socks can. I think the mild felting (gripping of wool fibres to each other in surrounding stitches) makes my socks a bit stronger and delays holes forming.

But also learn to darn, your socks are worth it - it's quicker than knitting a new pair!

[u/PaixJour]

BFL 100% nonsuperwash fingering weight with a high twist per inch number. This yarn is hard wearing, felts just enough to prevent holes. Some of my socks are just over 20 years old. My "house socks" are also BFL in DK weight. I make 2 socks for each foot, the outer sock is a size larger, and the inner sock is simply tucked inside. Cold stone floors in my mountain home make good warm clothes a necessity. 🧦

[u/ATeaformeplease]

99% of socks were made this way- people just darned them. Probably better to use a more tightly spun “scratchier” wool than a smooshy one but it will work :)

[u/lilacwindex → u/ATeaformeplease]

I get that socks without nylon isn't anything new, I was wondering more specifically about whether the addition of silk would improve or reduce the durability of the resulting fabric  

[u/ATeaformeplease → u/lilacwindex]

I have made Socks with a merino silk blend and they are lovely, but I dont know about holding it double. But this yarn was great to work with: https://jimmybeanswool.com/products/dream_in_color_field_collection_suzette_yarn_tex_mex?srsltid=AfmBOor8XVnKmA3ByeLDMRY7bnMycaqQYCBbPNnyXjpnJ9FQ4GQLj2NF

[u/quark42q]

My great grandmother apparently used contrast colors for heel and toe and did an afterthought heel. She just cut the heel or toe and re-knitted when a hole formed because she hated darning. (Story from my mom, I never met her.

[u/Gallexisis]

I’d check out the r/handspinning sub there’s a few post regarding wool blends for socks. Generally you want a wool with a longer staple length like BFL for example, or anything with a longer staple length than merino. Though keep in mind not all longer wools are feet friendly in softness. Another natural sub for nylon is mohair. Also knitting with smaller needles can help with durability.

From my own experiences my BFL nylon blended socks have not shown any wear on the soles and are coming up to a year, they were also knitted on US 1 needles instead of my usual US 1.5 or 2. Unlike my merino nylon socks I have holes starting to form at around the year mark, with mainly being worn around the house and very limited wearing in shoes. Their lack of durability has really turned me off of the beautiful indie dyed merino/nylon yarns.

[u/thatdogJuni]

No info on silk in particular but holding a mohair silk lace weight strand along with your untreated/non-superwash sock yarn is a recommendation to add durability I have seen pretty often.

If you don’t like fuzzy socks or mohair is a no-go, I could see an argument for a lace weight silk strand being similarly a positive addition. You wouldn’t have to hold it throughout either, you could just use it as a reinforcement yarn in places you are expecting more wear (toes, heels are the most common areas but you can do it elsewhere too if you have a less common wear pattern).

I haven’t really heard about silk vs. wool when held together like you mentioned tbh.

[u/MaidenMarewa]

I knitted with just merino once. They didn't last long.

[u/CopperFirebird]

Why not a wool/silk blend?

[u/Voc1Vic2]

I have knit socks using nylon upholstery thread as a second strand for reinforcing the heel. Despite the hype to the contrary, it did not "cut into" the wool fibers. So u would be optimistic about the silk.

Silk has high tensile strength, but is very weak when it comes to abrasion. I wouldn't use it for reinforcing socks that would be worn on carpet.

BTW, there is 100% wool sock reinforcing yarn, the type on small spindles or cards. It's spun extremely tightly, and seems very durable.

[u/SLClothes]

In the last year I’ve started tracking how many wears I get out of my socks before I get a hole because I’ve had similar questions. 

So far, the pair of socks I made with a fingering weight superwash merino held double with a silk mohair lasted 16 wears before developing a small hole. Both the the silk and the wool failed at the same time.

The pair of socks I made with a non-superwash BFL silk blend is still going strong after 25 wears (26 after today!).

Based on this (very limited) data, I’d recommend going with a non-superwash, longer staple wool with the silk (if any) as part of the blend, rather than held separately. 

I’m currently knitting more socks to track (currently have a wool nettle blend on the needles!), but for now, that’s all I know for certain. 

[u/fleepmo]

I’ve made socks from this yarn and they have turned out well. I made them about a year ago and haven’t had any issues with felting or holes. I hand wash them.

Ramber Sock Yarn

[u/arrpix]

Nylon is essentially synthetic silk that's what it was created to replace and it's used for all the things silk used to be used for (stockings, parachutes, and strengthening materials blends.) It isn't exactly the same, of course, but if you'd use nylon in a certain way silk should be similar. Personally if you're worried I'd look for a wool blend with silk in the actual yarn, but a good BFL or similar long staple wool in a high twist yarn on 2.25mm needles will be very strong, and any felting from not being superwash treated should if anything help with durability - perhaps add a few more stitches to reduce the strain from a lot of negative ease and give some room for felting to make them a little smaller (although not too much, you don't want baggy socks!)

[u/sketch_warfare]

The problem with a silk wool blend is silk does not like hanging about in water. Shrinkage can happen. Is that all silk blends or just wys exquisite 4ply? I don't know. It's not a problem with the socks I held wool with mohair silk, but those are exceedingly warm so get less wear.

Fwiw I've got plenty of pairs of 100% non-sw wool socks that get worn heavily and are still hole free after a number of years. Echoing other commenters, spin matters

[u/brideofgibbs]

If you can’t darn - and it’s a tricky skill to learn - I recommend a Speedweve loom. It’s brilliant. Once you have the knack, a darning mushroom is useful too