alt.sock.yarn

While loving the many wonderful wool sock yarns out there, I'm wondering if there's anything I could wear in spring/autumn when it's not well below freezing outside.  I still don't really like the wool cotton blends, but what about merino/tencel, or wool/bamboo, or even wool/soysilk/cotton/chitin?  Anyone tried those?  What fibre can I wear that won't fry my feet in summer?  Does a lace pattern help?