How much yarn is enough for a sock?

n · How much yarn is enough for a sock?

I'm going to put this on the blog later, but I thought I'd share it here first.
Having FINALLY learned to do short row heels, I have been doing a little sock-weighing.
This is for one sock, the one which is in the Yabbadabbadoo! post on the blog.
A customer asked me if she could get two pairs from 100g of Club yarn.

Variegated Yarn....
Starting weight of ball = 100g
Finishing weight = 84g
Yarn used 16g !!!

Solid Yarn....
Total sock weight 28g (I didn't weigh the ball to begin with.)
Solid yarn used = 28g - 16g = 12g This was for the cuff, heel and the toe.

I used 2.5mm Knitpicks and 64 stitches for my fat feet (!)
Longtail cast on, K10 rounds
1 round yo K2tog, yo K2tog
K10 rounds
P1 round
swap to variegated yarn, K30 rounds.
Do heel, foot, toe etc.

30 rounds is not much, this is definitely an ankle sock, and the short row heel is much shallower so I think I need at least 50 rounds to make a "normal" sock if I'm doing a short row heel.

It's been and interesting exercise though. I could EASILY get a pair of socks from 50g of variegated yarn and 50g of solid would give me plenty for a couple of pairs of toe-ups with short row heels.
Part of the reason I did all the weighing was for the customer, but part of it was for business purposes... to demonstrate that 50g (ish) of variegated yarn is a useable quantity for adult sized socks and this in turn makes £5 worth of crazily pretty girly yarn something worth having, just for fun.

Am I the only obsessive sock weigher here?

How many rows do you do for a leg on a short row heel sock?

n

Auntie Noo

I never count my rows 'cos I'm too lazy, but I have size 5 feet and I am sure I could get a pair of shortish socks out of 50g. I'd split the skein and do toe ups... and maybe a lightly lacy pattern just to make sure. I don't think it's work with a cabled pattern.

Nevisknitter

I have size 7 feet and got a pair of ankle socks out of a 50g ball of regia, with 14 rows worked before heel flap. I had yarn left over too.

loobyj

When I've done shorty socks I do 16 rows 1x1 rib then 12 stocking stitch and then the short row heel. That gives a sock that sits on my ankle bone. Easily get a pair out of 50g.

For normal leg socks I do 16 rows rib and 60 rounds of st-st

lj