Have you been wanting to knit socks but don't know where to start. Perhaps you’ve heard of sock yarn but don’t know what makes it different from other yarns.

In this post, I’m going to answer all of the most commonly asked questions about sock yarn as well as tell you about the 10 best sock yarns available today.

You are going to be shocked at the wide variety of patterns and colors that sock yarns come in including solids, semi-solids, variegated, hand dyed, self-striping, self-patterning, and surprising color changes.

WHAT IS SOCK YARN?

Sock yarn a lightweight yarn most commonly used to knit socks. This weight is used because it creates a nice warm sock that’s not too thick to wear with your favorite shoes or boots.

Sock yarn comes in a wide variety of patterns and colors to allow you to create socks in any combination or colors you can dream up.

WHAT WEIGHT IS SOCK YARN?

Sock weight is also known as fingering weight yarn. It’s a very lightweight yarn that makes comfortable socks without being bulky.

WHAT NUMBER OR SIZE IS SOCK YARN?

Sock yarn is listed by the Craft Yarn Council as a weight of #1. It is also referred to as fingering, baby, or sock weight yarn. For a complete guide to all yarn weights, you can download this free printable guide.

What ply is sock wool?

Ply was a term used many years ago to help determine the thickness of the yarn and sock yarn was often referred to as 4-ply yarn. However, since technology has change and we can make single ply yarns that are super bulky and multi-ply yarns that are extremely thin, this terminology is no longer relevant. Instead, refer to the Craft Yarn Council standards mentioned in the previous question.

What is the difference between sock yarn and regular yarn?

Most sock yarn is a superwash. This treatment removes the outer layer from the wool so the yarn will not shrink when washed. The most popular sock yarns are made from superwash Merino wool alone or with a bit of nylon added in for staying power.

The best yarn for socks is a Merino superwash with a bit of nylon. This combinations creates a durable, comfortable pair of socks that are machine washable and will last for years.

Can you use sock yarn for sweaters?

You can use sock yarn to knit sweaters or just about anything else you can think of including hats, mittens, gloves, scarves, and shawls.

How many skeins do I need for a pair of socks?

When knitting with sock yarn, you’ll need approximately 100g of yarn to make a pair of socks. How many yards is 100g yarn? A 100g skein of sock yarn usually has between 380-440 yards per skein. Check out these 10 Free Sock Knitting Patterns and 10 Free Ankle Sock Knitting Patterns.

Is Merino wool yarn good for socks?

Merino wool is an excellent choice for sock yarns. Because Merino wool is the finest of all wool yarns, the strands are longer, smoother, and finer than other sheep’s wool yarns. Merino wool provides warm socks that will last for years to come.

Can you knit socks with worsted weight yarn?

You can knit socks in various sock weights including sport, dk, or worsted weight. However, fingering/sock weight is most often used because it allows you to knit comfortable socks that aren’t too bulky when wearing shoes. You’ll also find the most yarn options at fingering/sock weight.

Often times when designers create sock knitting patterns using heavier weight yarns, they create socks for lounging around the house and keeping your feet warm, rather than socks that are worn with shoes.

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10 BEST SOCK YARNS

You may be wondering, what is the best sock yarn? It’s so hard to choose just one sock yarn because there are so many wonderful and high quality sock yarns to choose from. In this post, I’ve rounded up the 10 best yarns for knitting socks and they are in no particular order.

#1. Ewe Ewe Fluffy Fingering Sock Yarn

Fluffy Fingering is a beautiful and bouncy Merino wool sock yarn that comes in 18 great solid colors! It has an amazing Ewe Ewe twist providing wonderful stitch definition and is a joy to knit.

It comes in 50g skeins (2 skeins makes one pair of socks) so it’s perfect for knitting color work or socks with contrasting cuffs, heels, and toes. Use it alone for socks or pair it up with a printed or hand dyed sock yarn to really give your socks a pop of color. Check out this adorable heart socks knitting pattern made using Fluffy Fingering yarn.

#2. Premier Wool Select Jacquard Sock Yarn

This colorful jacquard printed sock yarn knits up into effortless, patterned stripes. Premier Wool Select Sock Yarn is available in seven gorgeous color palettes and there’s even a free sock knitting pattern available for this yarn. Wool is naturally antibacterial, moisture wicking, and insulating, making this the perfect yarn for socks! It’s also machine washable, so any project you can imagine will be easy to care for!

#3. Malabrigo Sock Yarn

Each 100-gram skein of Malabrigo Sock offers 440 yards of delicious yarn - enough for an average pair of socks. This fingering-weight sock yarn is made from 100% Superwash Merino wool. With an incredibly vast color palette filled with delicious neutrals and eye-catching neon shades, you'll find endless project opportunities with Malabrigo Sock yarn. Check out this lovely cable sock free pattern using Malabrigo Sock.

#4. Madelinetosh Tosh Sock Yarn

Available in luscious, glazed solid colorways, Madelinetosh Tosh Sock is a 100% Superwash Merino wool. With a generous 395 yards per skein, this fingering-weight yarn comes with enough yardage to complete a woman's size large pair of socks! Each squishy soft skein of the Madelinetosh Tosh Sock is hand-dyed in small dye lots and machine washable.

#5. Knit Picks Static Sock Yarn

Experience self-striping magic in TV-inspired colorways! Static Sock Yarn is precision dyed in a repeating pattern of stripes and static-inspired speckles. These saturated colors on a sturdy sock yarn base are designed to be a delight to wear and knit, and our latest colorways were created with matching socks in mind using an even number of stripe repeats.

Try to guess all the retro TV shows that inspired these striped colorways as you pick out your favorite!

#6. Urth Yarns Uneek Fingering

Available in rich vibrant colorways, each skein of Urth Yarns Uneek Fingering yarn is crafted from 100% Extrafine Merino wool. These stunning hand-dyed to perfection shades bring fun to any project they're used in! Sweaters, shawls, socks, and more will be elevated to a new level, making use of the unique striping effect that this yarn is capable of.

Every skein of Urth Yarns plants a tree! In partnership with Trees for the Future, Urth Yarns is helping in their mission to provide families with tools and knowledge to plant trees in Africa

#7. Lion Brand Sock-Ease Yarn

Sock-Ease Yarn is back for a limited time only as part of Lion Brand’s From The Vault Collection! This classic has been made new with updated colors to rock your socks.

The 75% wool, 25% nylon blend works up into comfy, yet durable, footwear. But don't limit yourself just because it's called "sock" yarn. This CYC#1 fingering weight can also be stitched into lightweight hats, mittens, fingerless gloves, or leg warmers, so let your imagination loose! View all Sock-Ease patterns.

#8. Regia Sock Yarn

Schachenmayr Regia yarn is a favorite with knitters everywhere! This self-patterning yarn comes in a range of vibrant colorways that are perfect for creating simple stockinette stitch socks with an added pizzazz. It’s made of Virgin Wool and Nylon for ultimate wearability and packed in 100g skeins. One skein makes one pair of socks.

#9. Zauberball Crazy Sock Yarn

Zauberball® has been kicked up a notch, as two strands of the main ply have been dyed individually and then twisted together for a crazy combination! The end result is a self-striping multi-colored pattern, with a bold variegated design! Zauberball® Crazy Yarn is 75% Superwash Merino Wool and 25% Nylon.

#10. Hawthorne Fingering Multi Yarn

Each colorway of Hawthorne Fingering yarn shows off hand painted hues and surprising pops of color that are as distinctive and exceptional as their namesake neighborhoods. With a high twist for durability, this fingering weight yarn is wonderfully sturdy and unquestionably colorful. Hanks are worked up in 100g so one hank will make one pair of socks.

Have you knitted with any or all of these sock yarns? If so, which ones are your favorite or do you have a sock yarn on YOUR list that I missed? Let me know in the comments below!