Fingering weight yarn is a super fine weight yarn used mostly by knitters to create airy, openwork shawls, wraps and baby layettes and socks.
In this post, we’ll look at the different types of fingering weight yarn available on the market today, what needle and hook size you should use with fingering weight yarns, why this weight is so popular among knitters, what you can crochet with fingering weight yarn and more.
So grab your knitting needles or crochet hooks–it’s time to dive into fingering weight yarn!
First of all, what IS fingering weight yarn?
Fingering weight yarn is not for those just starting out in knitting or crochet as it’s often used for more difficult patterns and it’s harder to work with.
It is a super fine weight yarn that is classified by the Craft Yarn Council (CYC) as a #1 in their standard yarn weight system. You may also hear it referred to as baby yarn or sock yarn. It can be a single ply yarn, but is commonly 2-ply or occasionally 4-ply.
This yarn is the most common yarn used for socks and generally has between 400-450 yards per 100 grams. It is common to find a small amount of nylon or silk in these yarns to help with strength.
Fingering weight yarn is the second lightest of all the yarn weights with a very fine gauge (6.5-8 stitches per inch). It’s often used for knitting projects that need a very fine gauge, such as shawls, summer garments and socks. It’s not that commonly used in crochet, except sometimes for delicate projects.
Let’s take a look at the CYC’s Standard Yarn Weight System and how it compares to other systems used around the world. It’s easy to see the different yarn weights, from lace weight yarn (#0) to fingering weight yarn (#1) to sport weight yarn (#2) to DK weight yarn (#3) to worsted weight yarn (aran weight yarn also falls into this category) (#4) to bulky yarn (#5) to super bulky yarn (#6) and finally jumbo yarn (#7).
Types of Yarn that Fall Under “Fingering Weight”
Superfine Yarn
This weight yarn is also called super fine yarn and you might see this descriptor on a yarn label.
Fingering
This is the most common term for this weight yarn and you will see “fingering” weight yarn in your local yarn shop.
Baby Weight
A lot of times this category of yarn is simply called “baby yarn” or “baby weight”. Look to make sure that this is a #1 yarn, though, because some yarn companies make certain yarn lines for babies and they vary in actual yarn weight.
What is equivalent to fingering weight yarn?
In the US, this weight of yarn is classified as a #1 weight yarn according to the Craft Yarn Council’s Standard Yarn Weight System.
In Australia and New Zealand it is the same as a 4 ply yarn.
How do I know if my yarn is fingering weight?
Most labels will tell you what the weight of the yarn is. Look for one of these symbols:
A fingering weight yarn will have the “super fine” #1 symbol, or it may just have a number one, “one” or “super fine” on the label.
If you have a yarn that has lost its label (or the rare instances where the label doesn’t say!), you might be wondering how to tell if your yarn is fingering or not. That’s where wraps per inch (wpi) come in!
If you’re not familiar with wpi, it is the number of times a yarn will wrap around a ruler or pencil in the space of one inch. There are also some handly little devices that will help you with this task, like this nifty one from Knit Picks!
Fingering weight yarns will get 18-30 wraps per inch.
What size hooks and needles do you use for fingering weight yarn?
The knitting needle size for fingering weight yarn is a range between 2.25-3.25mm, although people often use a larger needle to get a more openwork pattern. In the US this would be from size 1-3.
The crochet hook size for fingering weight yarn is a range of hooks between 2.25-3.5mm. In the US these hooks would be sizes B/1-E/4.
What can I make with fingering yarn?
This super fine yarn weight is a lightweight yarn, so it lends itself really well to lightweight, summery projects. You can knit or crochet a shawl, cowl, wrap, shrug. If you are up to it, you can knit or crochet an amazing lightweight sweater or other garment with this weight yarn. It is also commonly used for baby items and socks.
Fingering yarn used in these ways gives amazing drape and I bet if you check some of the sweaters in your closet that were manufactured, you’re going to find a very fine yarn used in the construction of some of them.
You can find fingering weight yarn in any colorway imaginable and from every yarn manufacturer, so you’re sure to find some you like.
Favorite Fingering Weight Yarns
Knit Picks Stroll Tonal
This is seriously one of my favorite fingering weight yarns and you can buy a large skein or a set with a mini skein each of 5 different colors! One of my favorite things is that this is a machine washable yarn!
Stroll comes in solid colors, too, but the tonal is absolutely my favorite.
Each large hank has 462 yards and weighs 100 grams. This yarn is 75% fine superwash merino and 25% nylon. The mini pack is 5 hanks of 20g each.
Care: Machine wash gentle, tumble dry low
Check out the large hanks here.
Lion Brand Summer Nights
This unique lightweight yarn is twisted with a thin strand of metallic thread, giving this yarn amazing sheen and texture.
Each skein comes in 437 yards (100g) and is 82% acrylic and 18% polyester.
Care: Machine wash, machine dry
Malabrigo Mechita
This yarn is the fingering weight of their amazing line of subtle color changing yarns. To be honest I’ve never found a skein of Malabrigo I didn’t love, so I had to add them in here with my favorites! This yarn is a superwash wool, too, which makes it easy to care for.
Each hank comes in 420 yarns (100 grams) and is 100% Superwash Merino Wool.
Care: Machine washable, gente cycle, cold water, do not tumble, dry flat
Click here to see Malabrigo Mechita!
Here are some other recommendations for fingering weight yarns:
Patterns that Use Fingering Weight Yarn
Knitting Patterns
Hermione’s Everyday Socks
These textured socks are inspired by JK Rowling’s heroine Hermione. These socks are knit from the cuff down and feature a garter stitch edged slip stitch heel. The pattern is written for one size, but with a 4 stitch pattern repeat, it is easily customizable to fit whatever size one desires.
Download this pattern free on Ravelry here!
Newborn Vertebrae Cardigan
This amazing newborn knitting pattern is knit with Malabrigo Yarn Sock in one size to fit a newborn baby (7-9 lbs). It is a frontless cardigan meant to keep the back and arms warm. (Plus it’s pretty darn adorable, too!)
Download this pattern free on Ravelry here!
Crochet Patterns
I am seriously in love with this amazing crochet shawl, created with lightweight cake yarn. The design is stunning, and is made even more so with the color changes.
Find this free pattern in several parts here (it was a MAL).
The Blakewell Blanket
This blanket is amazing! It uses superfine yarn to create the perfect drapable fabric. It can be worked in a solid color, but this color changing yarn is the best!
Click here for the free pattern (download is available at the bottom of the page).
Today we learned all about fingering yarn! I hope you’ve enjoyed this post and that you’ll check out all my free crochet patterns here and free knitting patterns here!
Happy knitting or crocheting!
Amanda
