Looks can be deceiving

So, what is the difference between the Greenwood Fiberworks (top) and the Zen Yarn Garden (bottom) cotton/lycra sock yarn? Why did the 72-stitches-around pattern that worked perfectly for the former come out huge in the latter? Let me show you something.

Both strands below were about 7 inches with no tension on them, but when pulled tight, the Greenwood about doubles in length, whereas the Zen only gets to 10 inches. So Greenwood's more elastic and contracts more after it's knit. That probably means it wears better than the Zen. I think I'm willing to keep the pink for myself and give my mom the "campfire" color if she wants.

Sockapalooza 4 signups have started. I've been ambivalent on it for a while now. I loved knitting socks for other people (I had one pal and was a sock savior for another), but the socks I received are a little too big for me. I don't have much sock yarn I'm willing to part with, and I'm trying not to buy more for now. I don't know what to do!