Socks and sock yarn can be mutually exclusive. You can use sock yarn not to make socks, but for most people, even experienced knitters think that you can use sock yarn for socks only. You run across the same thing when you tell someone who doesn't knit that you need sock yarn. They get this odd look on their face, to the uninitiated, yarn is yarn, but to a knitter that thinking is anathema.
Sock yarn is a wonderful choice for all kinds of accessories such as wristbands, hats, scarves, legwarmers, gloves, dog sweaters, pillow cases..... What throws people off using sock yarn for other projects is that you must use smaller needles to maintain the intriguing and beautiful patterning of the yarn. In the era of instant gratification, using sock yarn is a labor of love, not just the next hot trend.
It's not about the socks or whatever project is undertaken, but about the sock yarn and seeing how the yarn is going to transition to the newest pattern that keeps your attention. You shortly forget the small needles and the effort undertaken, but instead are enraptured by the mystery of creating something unique and interesting.
Getting back to socks, for me the greatest satisfaction is in the shaping of a sock, turning the heel and seeing your knitting taking on a new direction.
Judy
