With many sock yarns available, how do you decide the best one for crocheted socks? I’ll help you find beautiful ones on the market, that are perfect for your project.
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My Quick Recommendations
- My Top Pick – Paintbox Yarns Socks
- Best Luxury Option – Malabrigo Sock Yarn
- Best Budget Pick – Patons Kroy Sock Yarn
The above links take you to Amazon & Love Crafts.
I reviewed and updated this post on April 26, 2023.
Table Of Contents
- What To Look For In Sock Yarn for Crochet Socks
- What Is The Best Sock Yarn?
- Paintbox Yarns Socks
- Patons Kroy
- Berroco Comfort Sock
- Comfy Fingering
- Regia
- Malabrigo Yarn
- Drops Alpaca
- Galileo
- Which Is Best For You?
- FAQS About Sock Yarn
What To Look For In Sock Yarn For Crochet
Here are some key decision-making factors to consider when choosing the best sock yarn for crochet and knitting.
What Is Sock Yarn?
According to the Craft Yarn Council, a superfine yarn (fingering weight yarn) is most often used for socks. Usually, because anything thicker might not fit your shoe size! However, thick yarn, like sport weight, works for boot socks. If you make wool ones, they’re perfect for winter because of the heating capacity. No more cold feet.
What Is Different About this type of yarn? Superwash merino wool and nylon blend yarn make hardwearing, long-lasting socks with some elasticity. But socks yarn like pure wool has less stretch, lower abrasion resistance, and is more prone to holes.
How Do You Choose Yarn For Socks? It’s good to look for a blend of wool with at least 20% nylon. Of course, it depends on your preference of material.
What Kind Of Care Does It Need? Many sock yarns are machine washable. Others require handwashing. Since socks are washed often, choose machine-safe options for convenience.
What’s It Made Out Of? Many different fibers. But the most common fiber content is a superwash merino wool blend.
How Much Yardage? You need at least 450 yards.
What Yarn Weight Is Best? Weight sock yarn.
What’s Your Budget? What’s your socks’ purpose? Special gift, utilitarian, office, or fun bed socks? The products I’ve reviewed are affordable and won’t break the bank.
What Is The Best Sock Yarn?
Paintbox Yarns Socks – Self Striping Color
A fantastic selection of colorways in four themes. An excellent selection of self-striping yarn. Great for knitting socks too.
- Zebra Print
- (Mock) Fair Isle
- Stripes (bold colors and graduated)
- Pixel (like a uniform speckled yarn)
One skein makes a pair of socks. Some of the best yarn containing superwash wool and polyamide create soft and durable socks.
How Does It Compare?
- Care Instructions – Machine washable. Dry flat and don’t tumble dry
- Made Of – 75% Wool 25% Polyamide
- Yardage – 427yds (390m)
- Yarn Weight – 4 ply
- Skein Weight – 3.5oz
- Suggested Hook – 2mm-3mm
Pros
- Smoothly spun
- Lovely range of fun colors
- Machine washable at 40 degrees
- Affordable
- Squishy when made into socks
Cons
- Not as soft as other superwash merino wool yarn blends
- Not as many solid stripe options
- Complex stitches won’t show up well
Patons Kroy
These fingering weight sock yarns are durable and soft while retaining warmth. With wool, moisture wicks away from your skin. The array of striking patterns adds interest and fun to your socks experience. They’re great for sock knitting wool socks too.
You’ll need two balls for most ankle-length pairs. For larger men’s sizes, use three balls.
How Does It Compare?
- Care Instructions – Washing machine and tumble dry
- Made Of – 75% Washable Wool/ 25% Nylon
- Yardage – 166 yds (152 m)
- Yarn Weight – #1 Fingering 4ply
- Skein Weight – 1.75 oz (50g)
- Gauge – 22 sc and 24 rows
- Suggested Needle – (US D/3) 3.25 mm crochet hook
Pros
- The colors don’t fade even after many washes
- Variety of colors
- Sturdy and durable
- Warm and comfortable on the skin
- Creates a thick fabric
Cons
- May be a little itchy on the first wear. They soften after a couple of washes.
- The variegated yarns won’t give you two precisely the same socks.
- May have knots
Berroco Comfort Sock
Usually, acrylic/nylon blends aren’t a good choice. Wool wicks away moisture. Acrylic doesn’t. If you’re sensitive to wool, this is a good alternative. Also suitable for knitted socks.
How Does It Compare?
- Care Instructions – Machine wash this acrylic sock yarn inside out and tumble dry on low heat
- Made Of – 50% Nylon 50% Acrylic Yarn
- Yardage – 447 yards
- Yarn Weight – Fingering
- Skein Weight – 3.5 oz (100 g)
- Suggested Hook – 3.25 mm (D)
Product Design: For people who are sensitive to wool. This acrylic blend is easy to care for and soft against the skin. The nylon adds strength and durability.
Pros
- Good quality
- Vibrant colors
- Great for any weather
- Fun self-striping options
- Soft to touch
- Hard-wearing
- Create something else with these, not just socks!
- Soft and squishy, they would make lovely bed socks
Cons
- You may find your feet sweat a little
- They need to be washed after each use as acrylic absorbs odors
Regia
This type of yarn has a fantastic range of bright, self-patterning sock yarns perfect for simple socks! 1 x 100g ball makes one pair of socks. Great for sock knitters too!
How Does It Compare?
- Care Instructions – Machine washable and machine dry
- Made Of – 75% wool 25% nylon
- Yardage – 459 yds (420m)
- Yarn Weight – 4 ply
- Skein Weight – 3.50oz (100g) ball
- Suggested Hook – 2.00-3.00mm
Product Design: For crocheters who love self-patterning socks.
Product Evolution: Schachenmayr, the Regia manufacturer, teamed up with Arne and Carlos, well-known creators, to design their engineered self-patterning range.
Pros
- Fabulous engineered pattern and gradient color changes
- Excellent price point
- Plenty of fun colors and gradients
- Has a bit of stretch
Cons
- Scratchy but softens with multiple washes
- The pattern is a little lost on crocheted socks, looks better on knit socks
Comfy Fingering
A perfect thinner, lightweight yarn choice. A cotton sock yarns blend is great for those sensitive to wool. Offered in various yarn weights. It’s good if you want to knit something too.
How Does It Compare?
- Care Instructions – Machine Wash Gentle/Tumble Dry Low
- Made Of – 75% Pima Cotton, 25% Acrylic
- Yardage – 218yds (199m)
- Yarn Weight – Fingering
- Skein Weight – 1.8oz (50g)
- Gauge – 4 inches = 21 – 32 single crochets
- Suggested Hook – B-E hooks (2.25mm-3.5mm)
Pros
- Ships to New Zealand & Australia
- Gorgeous colors in brights and pastels
- Soft
- Washes well
- Make all sorts of things, not only socks!
- A lovely drape with a slight sheen
- Excellent stitch definition
- Doesn’t split
- Free shipping for orders over $65 usd
Cons
- Tends to pill
- Cotton isn’t as hardwearing as wool
Malabrigo Merino Wool Yarn
A super-soft yarn of 100% superwash merino fibers delightful against the skin. A source of joy for anyone who wears it. One of the favorites for crafters looking for beautiful colors.
How Does It Compare?
- Care Instructions – Machine wash in cold water and dry flat
- Made Of – 100% superwash merino wool
- Yardage – 440 Yds
- Yarn Weight – Fingering
- Hank Weight – 3.5 oz (100g)
- Suggested Needle – B (2.25mm) – E (3.50mm)
Pros
- Soft and squishy
- Gorgeous colorways in solids, speckles, and variegated
- Sturdy and durable
- Find more gorgeous options (and crocheting tools) on the site store
Cons
- There is no nylon which usually helps with the durability of socks. These may not last as long as yarns that have some nylon.
Drops Alpaca
Beautiful sock yarn weight made of alpaca. Perfect for many stitch patterns.
How Does It Compare?
- Care Instructions – Hand wash and dry flat
- Made Of – 100% superfine Alpaca
- Yardage – 183 yds (167 m)
- Yarn Weight – Sport
- Skein Weight – 1.8oz/50g
- Suggested Hook – 3mm
Pros
- Super soft
- Comfortable close to your skin
- High quality
- 3 strands spun together for durability
- Slight sheen
Cons
- Handle with care when washing by hand
- It may felt
Galileo – Merino Blend Socks Yarn
This wool and bamboo blend makes lightweight and comfortable socks. However, it needs handwashing. Keep that in mind if you’re not a fan of extra work! It might take more room in your shoes as it’s thicker than fingering. They’d be great boot socks!
How Does It Compare?
- Care Instructions – Hand wash and dry flat
- Made Of – 50% merino 50% viscose from Bamboo
- Yardage – 131 yds
- Yarn Weight – Sport
- Skein Weight – 1.8 oz (50g)
- Gauge – 4×4 inches 16 – 20 single crochets
- Suggested Hooks – E-7 hooks
Pros
- Soft and breathable
- Doesn’t split
- An interesting texture
- Affordable shipping
- Would make a luxurious gift for someone
- Great for someone who doesn’t like wools
Cons
- Limited colors
- Only available in sport weight
Which Is Best For You?
- Paintbox Yarns Socks – Self-striping socks.
- Patons Kroy – Durable hardwearing socks.
- Berroco Comfort Sock – Super soft, perfect for bed socks.
- Comfy Fingering – Excellent alternative to wool.
- Regia – For fabulous self-patterning socks.
- Malabrigo Yarn – Luxury 100% Merino Socks.
- Drops Alpaca – Luxury softness 100% Alpaca.
- Galileo – Great merino and bamboo blend choice.
Want another option? Try wool yarns like KnitPicks Stroll Tonal, Capretta Superwash, a cashmere and merino blend, or Mini Maiden, a hand-dyed blend of silk fiber and wool.
FAQs About Yarn For Socks
Is Cotton Yarn Good For A Pair of Socks?
Cotton is an excellent alternative for people sensitive to wool. It is a soft and breathable material that is comfortable to wear.
However, one downside of cotton yarn is that it is not as durable as some other materials, such as wool or synthetic fibers. This means that cotton socks may not hold up as well over time and may wear out more quickly than other types of socks.
Are Knit Socks The Same As Crocheted Socks?
Knitting and Crocheting a sock produces a different fabric. The crocheted versions are often thicker as the stitches are bulkier even when done in a finer yarn.
What Is Sock Weight Yarn?
Sock weight yarn is a superfine yarn.
Is Dk Yarn The Same As Sock Yarn?
No. A DK weight is thicker than a sock weight yarn.
Is Sock Yarn 4 Ply?
Yes, often sock yarn is 4 ply!
Is Sock Yarn Sport Weight?
No. It’s is finer than sport.
Is Sock Yarn Stretchy?
Yes! Because it’s typically blended with nylon.
Is Sock Yarn Worsted Weight?
No. It’s finer than worsted weight yarn.
Is Sock Yarn Lace Weight?
Lace yarn is finer. You can use sock yarn for lace patterns, but it’s thicker.
Is Sock Yarn 3 Ply?
It can be 3 ply.
Can You Use Sock Yarn For Sweaters?
Absolutely! However, it’ll be a lighter fabric.
Where To Buy Sock Yarn: at local yarn stores, craft stores, and online.
Wool Vs Cotton Socks
- Wool is warmer than cotton
- Wool is more durable and wicks away moisture
- Wool lasts longer than cotton
How Thick Is Sock Yarn?
It’s often 3ply. Thinner than Sport weight and thicker than lace weight yarn.
How Much Nylon In Sock Yarn? Typically over 20% nylon.
Does Sock Yarn Need To Have Nylon?
It doesn’t have to have nylon, but without, it’s not as durable or strong.
What Can I Make With Sock Yarn? Suitable for various crochet projects: hats, scarves, shawls, wraps, mittens, sweaters, baby clothes, and blankets
Can You Use Sock Yarn For Hats? Yes, you can make some gorgeous hats.
Can You Use Sock Yarn For A Scarf? Yes, you can.
Conclusion
There are so many sock yarns out there, and I hope the selection above gives you guidance for the best one. If you crochet some socks, let me know with your email address in the comments.
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