I’ve made no secret of the fact that I’ve become a total sock knitting addict lately, having picked up the double pointed needles for the first time last September and following Christine’s awesome tutorials over at Winwick Mum.
With the sock knitting obsession comes the discovery of the joys of sock yarn. If you haven’t used sock yarn for its intended purpose before, you’re in for a treat! I soon discovered that when I’m knitting socks, I find using a self-striping yarn incredibly motivating – it’s super exciting when you’re working towards your next stripe.
Enter West Yorkshire Spinners Signature 4 Ply! I’d often admired West Yorkshire Spinners yarn when I was in yarn shops, but before I had the sock bug I just couldn’t work out the right project for any of their yarns. West Yorkshire Spinners make a whole host of wool yarns which are gorgeous and squishy, but I usually tend to use acrylics for big blanket projects, or projects for kids; and merino or silk blends for wearable things. I just couldn’t come up with a crochet use for WYS.
And then, I picked up the needles. My first pair of knitted socks were made out of a lovely Madeline Tosh yarn, and while I loved them, I did find the gentle colour variations and lack of stripes a bit… boring at times. So I made sure my second set of socks were made out of a self striping yarn – West Yorkshire Spinners Signature 4 Ply in Peacock!
West Yorkshire Spinners Signature 4 Ply – Fibre and Feel
West Yorkshire Spinners Signature 4 Ply is intended as a sock yarn, which means the blend contains nylon! Nylon is crucial in a sock blend – it is hard wearing and helps your socks keep their shape. WYS Signature 4 Ply has 25% nylon in the blend, and 75% wool. What sets this apart from other sock yarns though, is the fact that it’s 35% bluefaced leicester wool, which, for the price tag, is amazing. Bluefaced leicester sheep are known for their long, semi-lustrous coat – the long fibres of the wool makes it hard-wearing when spun, and the lustrous properties make it lovely and soft. This is luxury stuff, and you can feel it when you work with this yarn.
Fibre and feel: 10/10
West Yorkshire Spinners Signature 4 Ply – Colour Choice
West Yorkshire Spinners Signature 4 Ply comes in a whole host of colours (there are 38 different colours currently listed on Wool Warehouse). There are a bunch of gorgeous solid colours, which I can see me turning to when I become more adventurous with my sock making and start doing some proper colour work.
But the self striping yarns are the highlight of the range for me (which I think I’ve already made clear!). I’ve already made my way through four of the colour ways in the range, and I have two more lined up. Without exception, the coloured stripes are uniform and work up perfectly. This is the best self striping yarn I’ve ever used – ever.
Colour choice: 9/10
West Yorkshire Spinners Signature 4 Ply – Value
WYS Signature 4 Ply comes in at £7.29 per ball. For me, an acrylic yarn user and crocheter used to eating up the yardage of yarns, this felt like a lot to pay for one ball of yarn. However, I use this for knitting, as it was intended – and knitting isn’t nearly as yarn hungry. I easily get a pair of socks out of a ball – I could probably get two pairs from one ball if I wasn’t surrounded by (and the owner of a pair of) giant feet. The leftovers from all of my balls will soon be blanket-worthy – I tend to get through just over half a ball per pair.
So, with this in mind, and the fabulous blend of fibres, I think this is absolutely great value yarn. The nearest comparable sock yarns (almost comparable, anyway) tend to come in at about £10 a ball. I’ve worked with some cheaper sock yarns, and I’m here to tell you they’re not as good.
Value: 8/10
West Yorkshire Spinners Signature 4 Ply – Ease of Use & Consistency
Perfect. Perfect. That’s all I have to say.
Ok, that’s not quite all I have to say…
I’ve not come across one knot in this yarn yet. It doesn’t split. I’ve never seen any issues with thick or thin parts of the yarn. It’s soft to use and easy on the hands. It’s perfect.
Ease of Use & Consistency: 10/10
West Yorkshire Spinners Signature 4 Ply – Durability
I started knitting socks about 6 months ago, and I finished my first pair of WYS Signature 4 Ply socks shortly after I started. I’ve worn them very regularly (at least once a week) since I made them, and washed them in the washing machine on 40 degrees after every wear. I haven’t been tumble drying (although one sock got lost in there once and it was fine.) They haven’t even bobbled. There’s no thinning of the yarn that I’ve noticed, and no holes have appeared. I’ve used this yarn to make pairs for two other people, and they’ve found the same thing.
It’s only been 6 months, but it looks good for their durability!
Durability: 9/10
All in all, I absolutely LOVE this yarn. I get a bit upset when I make socks out of anything else now – it’s so reliably good, I always default to it. Which is why…
I’m running my first giveaway!
I’m giving away my ultimate sock knitting kit – and I’m SO excited.
I’m not only offering a ball of the newest colourway of West Yorkshire Spinners Signature 4 Ply (that’s the AMAZING Pink Flamingo in the picture above), but I’m throwing in a full set of KnitPro Symfonie double pointed needles. When I say a full set, I don’t mean in just one size – this set has 20cm DPNs in 6 different sizes, ranging from 2.50mm up to 5mm (I even used these needles to knit my baable hat). The KnitPro Symfonie needles are fantastic – they’re my absolute favourites to use.
The combined prize value is over £50 – I have hand picked the best materials for you to get your socks knitted. And before you ask – no, this prize was not gifted to me in exchange for a positive review – I just want to give away the best possible yarn and needles.
Good luck!
KnitPro DPN set + West Yorkshire Spinners Yarn Giveaway
Review summary
West Yorkshire Spinners Signature 4 Ply
Pros
- Consistent striping
- Great fibre blend
- Durable
- Comfortable against skin
Cons
- Not great for crochet
- Striping best suited to socks
Great blog and a new find!
Thanks Jo! xx
I really appreciate that you gave such full descriptions in our survey of the yarn. I have not seen this yarn in person, yet I have heard a lot about it. Thank you
Thanks Audra! Hope you get to try it soon! xx
Currently on my 2nd sock of my first pair of socks. I’m following Winwick Mum’s pattern (she’s from the next village to mine) and Im using Signature 4ply in Goldfinch. It won’t be my last pair – the yarn is knitting up so lovely!
Aren’t Christine’s tutorials amazing? I’m glad you like the WYS signature yarn too! xx
A blog that is interesting to read like Christine’s – winwick mum’s sock one. It not often I find an interesting blog to read. I read them when I have a nap in the afternoon.
Thanks so much Anne – hope you find some good afternoon nap reading here! xx
Wow what a lovely prize. Love the reviews.
Thanks Jennifer – I’m so excited about the prize, I love everything about it! xx
Great blog never used wys but will give them a go love the way the colours come out and me and my grandchildren love knitted socks
Hope you get on with WYS yarns – I absolutely love them (in case you hadn’t noticed!) xx
Awesome 🙂
Thanks Rhian! xx
Great blog. Xx
Thanks Lisa! xx
I love these socks and the yarn! Those needles are absolutely gorgeous too 🙂
Thanks Nicole – I can’t get enough of the yarn or the needles! xx
I am in the Winwick Mum Sockalong group but haven’t cast on my first sock yet (I’m gathering wisdom from all the posts!). I am in the US and have never seen or touched WYS yarn, but have seen dozens of rave reviews by UK knitters. I thought this would be a good chance to try a ball of WYS yarn. Thanks for the tempting review!
I’m sure you’ll love the WYS yarn Jeanette – it’s my absolute favourite! Fingers crossed for you! xx
Thank you so much for a wonderful unbiased review. New to the world of sock knitting and addicted already.
Thanks! It’s scary how quickly the sock addiction kicks in isn’t it? I’m obsessed! xx
I discovered WYS a few months ago when looking for something typically British to make for overseas relatives. I was so delighted to discover their bird collection! British wool, spinners and nature all in one!
Am hoping they will be hit for our family down under!
Loved your review and love that pink!
The bird collection is wonderful isn’t it? I love the speckles! What a lovely idea for some truly British socks. Thanks for stopping by! xx
Thank you for a really thorough and useful review. I too am a crocheter making a first foray into knitting socks, so I’m now on the lookout for suitable yarns – it was like being a child in a (very expensive) sweet shop at unravel!
Oh I understand that feeling Patricia! Unravel cost me a fair amount of money this year – sock yarn is wonderful! xx
Great competition and really pleased to find your blog too!
Thanks Jenny! Good luck! xx
Fabulous competition & I’d love to win as I’m a sock knitting virgin This would be the perfect prize for my first attempt
I’ll keep my fingers crossed for you! Hope you have a good start with sock knitting – it’s great fun when you get going! xx
Good luck to all
My thoughts exactly Kelly! xx
Great blog, fatastic giveaway. Thanks for the chance to win. My fingers are tightly crossed.
Thanks Ann Marie – fingers crossed for you! xx
Brand new sock knitter … can’t pass up a chance to win a set of needles and would love to try this fabulous yarn …
Good luck Leslie – this would be a great way to get started! xx
Love all the reviews and the giveaway!
Thank you! xx
I am new to the world of socks knitting and DPN. I am struggling with the heel on my first pair 🙁 loved your through reviews! I’d love to get some of that yarn once I can complete a heel!!
Keep going with that heel Julie – once you’ve cracked it the first time it does get easier, I promise! I know my heels off my heart now. 🙂 xx
It sounds like you’ve found the perfect yarn to use. I think 6 months of wear and washing is a good test. Thank you for joining us at #SharingtheBlogLove
Thanks Laura – it’s the right 6 months to test them – Sept to March! Not sure the other 6 months of the year would’ve seen as much use! xx
I can’t even sew on button, let alone knit a sock! I’d love to give it a try though! #sharingthebloglove
You know how much I love the sock knitting! (Well, the end result anyway!) I’m so pleased it’s your new passion – and a great giveaway too! Thank you for joining us at #SharingtheBlogLove
Thanks Katy! xx
Love the new colours. I too think these are great yarns
Aren’t the new colours amazing?! Thanks for stopping by Jayne! xx
Congratulations on your first comp! I am going to give socks another go soon after a failed first attempt. I just hate frogging knitting! Worst thing ever! But I have 3 different sock yarns looking sadly at me that need to become socks!!
Thanks Louise – frogging knitting is the worst isn’t it? I do find socks are quite simple to pick up rows from – but that might be because I haven’t yet tried lace! xx
I haven’t braved socks yet but it is on my list to try this year.
Hope you get on with sock knitting Noreen – I love it! xx
When I first came across Christine’s blog & sockalong, I decided to have a go. Went to my LYS, where I found a lovely selection of WYS yarns & have made 3 pairs in Woodpigeon and 2 pairs in Dk Purple Haze for hiking. My sister recently wore the ones I made for her in Iceland & loved them. I’ve also made 2 hitchhiker scarves in the 4 ply for presents.
It knits so beautifully, I didn’t want to try anything else in case it wasn’t as nice.
The Pink Flamingo looks gorgeous &, of course, I would love to win it!
Good luck everyone
Oooh your LYS sounds amazing!! I haven’t used wood pigeon yet (the Mr has decided he prefers BRIGHT socks now!) but it’s gorgeous! Purple haze was nice too – no stripes to match was nice 🙂 Fingers crossed for you Christine! xx
I too have recently become addicted to knitting socks and have been trying to decide what wool to use for my next pair, would be lovely to win a ball of WYS to try.
WYS is a great choice – I’m a huge fan! Good luck in the giveaway! xx
Glad to find your blog!
Thanks Jackie, glad to have you here! xx
I commented on your blog post when you wrote about your first pair of knitted socks. I was so envious. I’ve always wanted to knit. I crochet like a mad woman. You made it all sound so easy! But I’ve still to take the plunge. Maybe…..soon 🙂
Thanks Tracey – I know from FB that you’ve taken the plunge now and I’m so pleased for you! Hope it all goes well – I’m sure you’ll nail it! xx
Thank you for the lovely giveaway! The prize is amazing!
Love this yarn! I’ve seen a gorgeous shawl made with it!