Knitting

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Knitters Review of O Balance Yarn

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I love [tag]Knitters Review[/tag] yarn profiles. The reviews always tell me what I want to know about a yarn without prejudice. This time the review is written about [tag]O Balance Yarn[/tag] from [tag]Vermont Organic Fiber Company[/tag].

Vermont Organic Fiber Company has been supplying organic materials to the textiles industry since 2000 with clients that include retailers [tag]Patagonia[/tag] and [tag]Sahalie[/tag]. Just a few years ago, the company decided to launch a line of yarns for handknitters. After finding quick success with its [tag]O-Wool Classic[/tag] 100% wool yarn, this spring the company introduced O-Wool Balance, a three-ply blend of 50% organic Merino and 50% organic cotton.

This review states a few of the reasons why organic is a better way to grow and process fibers. Now the push is also on to be “green” with fiber producing animals as well. Vermont Organic Fiber Company follows the [tag]Organic Trade Association’s North American Organic Fiber Standards[/tag] in processing its wool.

While all of the above information is commendable, the yarn is according to Knitters Review, actually pretty decent. It does pill but not as fast as some blended yarns and took awhile for wear to show.

The only drawback is that it is not machine washable. The reviewer states that a sweater for a medium sized woman would be about $80. She suggests small, baby garments – “While I’d still use it selectively for babies of knitters who aren’t afraid to handwash, I’d stick to smaller items of clothing—friends don’t make friends wash blankets by hand.”

I agree – hand washing is not something anyone, especially a new Mom, has time to do!

Have you read?

Vintage Bed Socks Knitting Pattern – A Cozy Little Gift Project With Old-Fashioned Charm

There is something wonderfully nostalgic about a pair of handmade bed socks, isn’t there? They are practical, pretty, and just the sort of project that feels like it belongs beside a cup of tea, a good film, and a basket of wool that is pretending not to be overflowing.

This vintage Bed Socks knitting pattern is one of those sweet little patterns that still feels useful today. Originally from the Jaeger Hand-Knit Series No. 44, the design features a simple garter-stitch foot, a ribbed cuff, eyelet holes, a crochet chain tie, and little tassel-style pom-poms at the front. The original pattern even describes them as “a very acceptable present,” and honestly, I don’t think much has changed there.

These would make a lovely handmade gift for someone who is always cold, someone recovering or resting, or anyone who appreciates a bit of old-fashioned comfort. They would also be beautiful as a Mother’s Day gift, a winter birthday present, a Christmas stocking filler, or a “just because you deserve cozy feet” project.

The pattern itself is delightfully simple in construction. The socks are knitted flat, beginning at the lower edge, with the foot worked in garter stitch before moving into the ribbed upper section. The decorative eyelet row allows for a crochet chain cord to be threaded through, and the finishing tassels give the socks that charming vintage look. The top edge is finished with a row of double crochet, which adds a neat handmade touch.

The original measurements list the socks as approximately 10½ inches from the top to the lower edge of the heel, with a 9¾ inch foot length, and the pattern notes that the size can be adapted. As with many vintage knitting patterns, modern knitters will want to check gauge carefully and choose a soft yarn that feels comfortable against the skin. A cozy wool blend, soft acrylic, or washable yarn would all work depending on whether you are making these for everyday use or as a special gift.

I especially love that this pattern has that “giftable” quality without being a massive project. It is small enough to feel achievable, but still special enough that the finished pair looks thoughtful. And let’s be honest, handmade socks with pom-poms are always going to beat a last-minute candle from the supermarket.

The PDF version has been cleaned up and formatted for easier reading while keeping the original vintage design intact. It also includes a modern pink mockup image and the original vintage scan, so you get both the historical charm and a fresh idea of how the finished socks could look today.

If you enjoy vintage knitting patterns, cozy handmade gifts, or quick projects that feel useful rather than just decorative, this sweet little bed socks pattern is a lovely one to add to your collection.

You can find the Vintage Bed Socks Knitting Pattern PDF in the CraftGossip Etsy store.

For supplies, this is also a nice stash-friendly project. A soft yarn from Mary Maxim or Amazon would work well, and if you make pom-poms regularly, a small pom-pom maker is one of those inexpensive tools that saves a surprising amount of fiddling.