3 & 4 Ply Yarn (Sock/Fingering Weight)

Recommended Needle Size

Commonly they use between a 2.25mm and a 3.75mm knitting needle or crochet hook. Our selection includes soft merino, smooth pima cotton and the finest silk.

Selecting the right yarn

When selecting yarn it's important to be aware yarn weights are not exact measurements. Some yarns classed as 4 ply by one manufacturer could be a 5 ply with another. This is why it's important to knit or crochet a gauge swatch. This allows you to both check the feel of the fabric and the needle size to use (again all knitters have a slightly different tension).

The fibres used to create the yarn also alter the finished piece. Cotton yarns tend to give a firmer finish to wool and fluffy yarns such as mohair and alpaca bloom to give a beautiful halo which often allows for a looser knit. 

If you are looking to knit socks we recommend yarn that is specifically designed for this purpose. It often contains nylon or polyamide which adds to their durability.

For more information about substituting yarns click here.

For more information about gauge swatching click here.

If you need more help finding a yarn for your project feel free to send us a message, and we’ll get back to you with our expert advice or even pop into your local store.

Common Yarn requirement

To knit a pair of socks you need just one 100g ball. Baby jumpers require approximately 100-200g of yarn depending on your pattern. Shawls can range anywhere from just 100g for an open knit smaller shawl up to 5 skeins for bigger designs. Other garments really depend on style and the size you knit but for a dress size 14 womens you will need in the region of 400-600g but follow the yarn requirements in your pattern. 

For for information about socks:

• Sock yarn click here
• Sock knitting blogs click here
• Sock patterns click here

Looking for Patterns?

Browse our collection of 4 ply patterns here

Browse our collection of 4ply Baby patterns here

Need needles or hooks?

Browse our collection of Knitting Needles here

Browse our collection of Crochet Hooks here

FAQs

What is another name for 4 ply yarn?

4 ply yarn is also referred to as Fingering weight or sock yarn. 

What is 4 ply wool used for?

4 ply or Fingering weight yarn is commonly used for sock knitting, baby items and shawl. It can also be held double or with a strand of 2ply mohair to create a yarn similar to 8ply

Is 4 weight yarn the same as 4 ply?

No, 4 ply or Fingering weight yarn is classed as 1 weight/fine yarn

What needle size should I use for 4ply yarn?

4 ply socks are generally knitted on a 2.25mm or 2.5mm needle. 3mm to 3.75mm needles are commonly used for baby knits and shawls. You would use a similar size crochet hook for 4 ply yarn. Remember to always follow the gauge requirements for the pattern you are using and adjust the needle size to achieve this tension. 

What ply is sock yarn in Australia?

Sock yarn is generally a 4 ply yarn with a blend of wool fibres along with either nylon or polyamide. This acrylic content makes the sock more durable and easier to care for when washing.