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― Arthur C. Clarke
Hello there fellow knitter!
This is The Yarnist. The daily newsletter that makes you love knitting the same way Sofi Overton loves socks.
Here's what we've got for you today...
Knitspiration: What makes sock yarn so beloved?
Stitchionary: A stitch for rice lovers?
Pattern Pick: These socks are better than jelly rolls
PLUS: Easy socks, Victorian socks, and more
Disclaimer: This newsletter may contain sponsored ads and affiliate links. When you buy using them, you support our work here at The Yarnist, as we get a small commission.
The majority of knitting patterns are designed for DK weight yarn.
But the majority of yarn stashed (according to Ravelry) is sock weight.
And it's not even close...
Ravelry Stats as of April 2023
So why is that?
Today we’re going to take a look at sock yarn and why people love it sooo much.
What is Sock Weight Yarn?
Sock weight yarn is a type of yarn that is thin and lightweight.
It is also known as fingering weight yarn, and it is usually made up of multiple plies of thin yarn twisted together.
Sock weight yarn typically has a gauge of 7-8 stitches per inch when knit on size US 1-3 needles.
Usually one 100g (3.5oz) skien of yarn is enough to knit two socks.
What makes Sock Weight Yarn different?
Aside from it's thickness, sock weight yarn differs from other fingering weight yarn in a few distinct ways.
Fiber Content
The queen of fibers is also the queen of socks; wool. Usually merino but longer staple wools like Bluefaced Leicester are also popular. The longer fibers give the yarn the ability to twist more, which we’ll discuss in a minute. Wool isn’t unique though. Rather, the combination of wool and nylon is what makes sock yarn stand out. Nylon (or polyamide) is a synthetic fiber that is known for its strength and its stretch, two thing in socks that SUPER important. You will find sock yarns made from other materials like cotton, silk, and bamboo, but they aren’t nearly as common as wool and nylon.
Ply and Twist
Most yarns are made up of multiple strands of smaller yarn. These are called plies. Each ply is first spun on it’s own and given a certain amount of “twist.” Longer staple fibers can handle more twist, which makes them more elastic and more durable. Those highly twisted yarn strings are then twisted again in groups of 3 or 4 (sometimes more). The more plies the yarn has the more wear it can handle and the nicer it will feel on your foot. This is because there’s less surface area of the yarn coming into contact with abrasive elements that will cause it to break down. A lightly spun 2-ply yarn might feel nice and soft in your hand, but that yarn is going to pill just by looking at it the wrong way.
Washability
Let’s face it. Feet stink. And your socks will hold onto those lovely odors unless you wash them regularly.
Even if you mostly walk around the house in your hand knit socks, you’re going to pick up dust and dirt unless you learn to dance around on your toes like a ballerina. That means that any sock yarn worth its salt is going to be washable.
Uses of Sock Weight Yarn
Sock weight yarn is perfect for creating lightweight garments and is primarily used to make socks (duh) and shawls.
The thinness of the yarn makes it perfect for intricate stitch patterns and lacework.
Sock weight yarn is also great for colorwork projects because it allows for more detailed and intricate designs.
Additionally, people like to knit baby garments with it, as it is soft, hard wearing, gentle on delicate skin, and usually washable.
Sock Yarn Recommendations
There are hundreds of sock yarns out there.
It's a particular favorite weight for independent hand dyers.
So to help you filter through your choices, here are a few of our favorites to try.
No wool? No problem! Fruits is a self-patterning acrylic-based sock yarn plied with a strand of strengthening PBT which helps make your socks last. With bright colors and fun to knit striping fruit prints; this soft to the touch yarn will add a little spring to your step!
A super-soft, affordable, washable treat for your feet. The rich solid colors of this high-grade Merino wool and nylon blend show off texture, lace and cables without distraction. Warm, cushy and versatile, this yarn is wonderful to have in your stash when sock inspiration strikes. Ideal for gift socks since the recipient does not need to worry about special care instructions. Perfect for babies' and children's detailed color work garments.
Signature 4 Ply by West Yorkshire Spinners - Buy It Here
The superb Signature 4ply is made using a blend of wool that includes 35% Bluefaced Leicester for a luxurious feel, with a twist of nylon for added strength. This makes it ideal for projects such as hard-wearing socks, or stylish shawls with fantastic drape and softness. This yarn comes in a wide choice of solid shades including vibrant tones, classic colours and natural hues to suit all styles and stitches, whether you’re knitting plain, cable, rib or lace.
The wool has proudly won ‘Best Sock Yarn’ at the British Knitting and Crochet Awards for several years running.
Malabrigo takes their sock yarn to new heights with the durable and resistant Ultimate Sock yarn by adding 25% Nylon to the superwash merino that everyone already knows and loves! With 420 yards per skein, this yarn is perfect for your next stunning sock project with a beautiful array of our favorite Malabrigo colorways to choose from!
Give your needles some tough love with SweetGeorgia Tough Love Sock! Made from a luxurious combination of strength, color, and warmth, this is the perfect long-lasting sock yarn! This fingering-weight yarn has a color palette ranging from lovely tonals and popping multis to moody jewel tones and scrumptious neutrals - there's a style for every sock project you could think of! SweetGeorgia Tough Love Sock has the perfect yardage to make an average-sized pair of socks plus a little extra for your stash!
Conclusion
So there you have it.
We think sock yarn is pretty great, and not just for knitting socks.
But what do you think?
Do you have a favorite sock yarn brand?
What is it?
Hit reply and share your experience with us!
We'd love to hear your feedback. 😊
Daily Stitch
Double Rice Stitch
Knitting through the back loop will twist the orientation of your stitch.
Not only is it a more comfortable way to knit a stitch, but it can create an interesting texture in your fabric.
This stitch shows what's possible when you make a seed stitch using knit through the back loop instead.
These ankle-height socks feature stacked welts to create the cuff. The colors in the welts are then repeated mid-foot.
These are knit with a Stroll Mini Pack and an additional skein of Stroll in a coordinating/contrasting color, using a heel flap and gusset.
The contrasting colors can be arranged in any order. The greater the contrast between adjacent colors, the easier it will be to pick up stitches and create the roll.
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