Extra warm socks for extra icy feet

My husband's uncle who is now in his eighties suffers from eternally cold feet. He's a quiet, grumpy old Irish man who set in his ways. I'd love to knit him a pair of extra warm socks to keep his feet warm at night and while he's around the house. I was thinking of using a cashmere/wool blend. Now, I can't be too fancy with these socks. Anyone have any ideas of a good yarn and a good pattern I can use to knit up some size US 11 socks?

Any help is much appreciated!

Suzy

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by MartyAZ on December 27, 2011 at 4:47pm

The trick is to make socks that don't make his feet hot and damp.

Permalink Reply by angelkarhu on December 27, 2011 at 4:52pm

Thuja is a simple pattern designed for men. Its free on knitty.com wool is your best bet. I wouldnt use a cashmere blend on this simple quick pattern.

Permalink Reply by Nutty4Knitting on December 27, 2011 at 5:26pm

Alpaca is actually warmer than wool. The KP lace weight alpaca (Alpaca Cloud) might be good for a light weight sock, that would be warm, but not too heavy.

Permalink Reply by angelkarhu on December 27, 2011 at 6:29pm

Unless your allergic to it, alpaca that is.

Permalink Reply by Nutty4Knitting on December 27, 2011 at 7:36pm

OH my, Yes!! don't want to use it if it causes discomfort of any kind!! (Is that the case for you? So sad if it is! =( )

Permalink Reply by angelkarhu on December 27, 2011 at 7:45pm

Sadly yes. For years I had no issue with it but several months ago it started burning my hands. It wasnt the dye because it was several brands. I have plenty of wool to work with and just figured out double knitting.

Permalink Reply by Nutty4Knitting on December 27, 2011 at 7:49pm

I'm so sorry!! Alpaca is one of my faves to work with. So much so that it's a standard fiber for me to process and sell in the Artfire, too. Is it possible the irritation is coming from something new in the cleaning process?? Maybe some hand processed wouldn't cause you any problems?

Glad you have the wool!!

Permalink Reply by angelkarhu on December 27, 2011 at 7:57pm

I'm ok with it, I rarely used it anyways.

Permalink Reply by cherylbwaters on January 3, 2012 at 11:43pm

I am now the proud owner of a lot of AB's alpaca stash.

Permalink Reply by Connie Kaplan on December 27, 2011 at 5:27pm

I'd just go with a sturdy boot sock and wool. Cashmere is to fru-fru for a good old warm sock. Also if you get a good wool from knitpicks you can tell him to throw the socks in the dryer for a few minutes in the morning before he puts them on and they'll toast his feet right up.

Permalink Reply by virginia karlsbroten on December 28, 2011 at 4:27am

one more thing to keep in mind especially for a man and one that may be set in his ways is easy care. most men would not be amused to have to handwash or lay things flat to dry. they want something that can be thrown in the washer and dryer. especially something like socks that need to be laundered frequently.

Permalink Reply by Suzy Scragg on December 28, 2011 at 6:24am

I like your point Virginia, but is it possible to achieve enough warmth with machine washable wool? I don't just want warm socks. If he likes the socks I knit him and they're actually keeping him warm, I might be willing to make him a few week's worth of socks and come round to 'take care' of them for him.

Thinking of using alpaca cloud as someone suggested...