Choosing yarn for socks that actually last
Socks wear out in the heel and the ball of the foot, so the yarn needs a little help. A bit of nylon in the blend makes an enormous difference.
Look for a fingering weight with around twenty percent nylon. Pure merino is lovely but thins out quickly in the heel, while a blend holds its shape through a winter of daily wear.
I keep a small basket by the sofa for the sock in progress. Ten minutes in the evening adds up to a pair in about a month, which is a pace I can live with.