fingering weight – New England's Narrow Road

After spending a good part of my morning filing more Amazon infringement notices concerning people selling my stolen images on the site… grrrrr… I bought a baby sweater pattern from Tin Can Knits. Then I felt better.

All baby photos on this page are courtesy of photographers on Pixabay.

The pattern is called Playdate, and the cardigan can be knit in many, many sizes from 0-3 months all the way up to 4XL! Since I am such a beginner, usually I find something new to learn in any pattern I buy. This cute little v-neck cardigan (I plan to knit one of the smaller sizes) has two pockets and I’ve never done pockets. When I read through the pattern it makes no sense to me how they will go on. I may decide to go pocketless, or follow the directions until I get that “Aha!” moment.

Read more about my experience knitting the Playdate Cardigan here.

Choosing A Lighter Weight Yarn For Baby Knitting

Let’s talk about yarn. Nice yarn, which is able to go into the washer just in case Mom doesn’t want to hand-wash, is what I want to use. Many sweaters call for a heavier weight yarn, but this one uses “fingering”. Because I wanted to use some stash yarn, I settled on Emma’s Super Silky in “Malibu”. It was really the only “baby color” I had, but I wouldn’t purposely use “silky” yarn next time. (Tin Can Knits uses Sweet Fiber Yarns Cashmerino 20, which looks beautiful, but I can’t find it anywhere for sale.)

Baby in matching knitted hat and sweater.

I just finished knitting a sweater for myself using Miss Bab’s “Tarte” yarn. It has become one of my favorite yarns. It knits up nicely and washes great. I did have some color come out in the wash, but I would definitely use it again. It might be perfect for babies.

For a heavier fingering try Miss Babs “Keira” yarn which is closer to a DK weight according to reviewers. It’s Superwash merino wool and comes in 560 yard skeins. This would allow for knitting a Playdate sweater in the (up to) 1-2 year size range.

Popular Debbie Bliss Cashmerino is also a DK weight yarn that is machine washable. I’ve never used it and it has more acrylic in it (55% wool, 33% acrylic, 12% cashmere – 136 yards). Also Rowan Baby Cashsoft Merino is similar, except it is a fingering weight (57, 33, 10 – 142 yards) and comes in good baby colors.

Use two colors and add some stripes to the Playdate. This post has more info about Playdate Cardigan at TCK and shows the pattern done in stripes of two colors. It would be the perfect choice for using up two smaller skeins.

Lorna’s Laces Sportmate (link to Webs) is a bit heavier weight too, but still a washable yarn. This yarn contains viscose (along with 70% superwash merino) that helps to moderate body temperature. The downside: Finding good colors for youngsters might be tough. It feels like “sweater yarn” and I’m using it to knit a beanie for my son and it’s very nice. I can’t wait to wash it and see how it turns out. My son will not be careful about caring for his hat! Boys and babies… same thing. 😉

My local yarn store Four Purls also carries Sportmate in lots of colors, and it can be ordered online.

Best Colors for Baby Knitting

If I were buying yarn specifically for knitting this sweater, which calls for fingering weight, there are a few good options. Most “sock” yarn is made to be washable. Also sock yarn comes in pretty colors, but finding the right color for a baby or young child can be tough. Lots of color and stripes on socks is great, not so much on a baby.

As I search through patterns at Ravelry and on Pinterest, seeing the colors people have chosen gives me ideas. So I know what I dislike and what may work on a young child. The thing is, it’s my own preference and you may disagree.

Babies come in lots of colors!

Darker skinned babies can handle more color, in my opinion. Pale babies with no hair will blend right in with that white hat and sweater! For that reason many knitters choose softer colors.

I dislike lots of variegated colors on babies. Solids, or slightly variegated, look best on most newborns, and nothing too bright. Manos del Uruguay has some pretty colors in their Alegria Sock yarn line, which I found at the Simply Socks site. I have used Manos yarn before and it is wonderful. I like it better than Madeline Tosh because it is seems to be softer.

Malabrigio Sock also has some nice solids in 440 yard skeins which are 100% Superwash merino. And Simply Sock has their own brand of yarn in solid colors but smaller skeins (175 yards) which would work well as contrasting trim on a sweater.

Some Guidelines For Baby Knitting From TCK

Who am I to tell you how to knit for babies when I’ve never done so? This paragraph is for my reference too. My four children are grown however none of them have children of their own. I’m in my sixties and there is not a baby in sight! In fact, none of my kids are even married at the present time. So grandchildren may never be in my future. Nevertheless, I won’t let that stop me. I want to knit some baby garments and I figure this sweater will be good practice.

Baby Knits 101 is a blog post by Tin Can Knits with advice for knitting for babies. Since they do a lot of knitting for their kids, I will take their advice to heart. I love that they promote knitting with wool. Superwash merino is nothing like the old scratchy wool of yesteryear. I dislike acrylic for many reasons, and it’s easy to find washable fingering weight yarn – like what is needed for the Playdate sweater.

Ask a Baby Knitter

Here is where being part of a group of knitters would come in handy. Maybe you know people who have done a lot of baby knitting and could seek their advice on yarn. The problem may be that most baby knits are given away as gifts. As mothers of young children there is no time to sit and knit something! So hand-knits usually come from relatives. It might be wise to ask how they like the item – Is is easy to care for? Is it comfortable on the little one? What would you like done differently if I knit it again?

Let’s face it… the Playdate is a pattern that could be knit over and over as a child grows. Eventually you would get it right!

Baby in knitted, button up cardigan sitting in fall leaves.

When I first began knitting again last year I was getting serious about using fingering weight yarn, sometimes also called “sock yarn”. I really didn’t know why some fingering weight yarn got that label.

Here’s the difference: Yarn labeled “sock” can also be used to knit other items, but to knit socks you want tougher yarn, usually with a small amount of nylon (or other durable material), so they won’t wear out as quickly. You may also want washable wool (often labeled “superwash”) so the socks can be thrown into the washing machine.

To knit shawls and / or socks you will need to use around 400 yards of yarn, on average.

To be honest with the reader, I am very new to knitting socks. I have not tried any of this yarn mentioned to knit a pair. After searching online, and making notes for this page, I do have some favorite brands to try soon! My favorite places to buy yarn online are Simply Socks, Wool and Company, Miss Babs, WEBS and Jimmy Beans Wool. Some links on this page take you to these stores. Some of these shops have yarn from England, Ireland, Scotland and other places. It’s exciting to knit with fibers grown on animals living across the ocean!

Finding Beautiful Sock Yarn That Will Hold Up to Wear

Train Case by Mrs. Crosby

Mrs. Crosby Loves to Play, “Train Case” fingering yarn for socks is made of superwash merino wool, Outlast viscose and nylon. The description at Wool & Co. says this, “Outlast viscose, a fiber created by NASA to absorb, store and release heat for optimal comfort.”

In general socks will use 300-400 yards of yarn. It depends on the yarn weight, needle size, and sock length and pattern. Check the yarn calculator at Jimmy Bean’s Wool for a better estimate. I mention this because in some cases you will need more than one skein of the yarns mentioned below.

Madeline Tosh (approx. $26.50 / 420 yds)

Madeline Tosh has “Sock” yarn and Tosh Twist Light. The latter is made up of 75% wool and 25% nylon and has more yardage at 420 compared to Tosh Sock which has 395 yards. The Mad Tosh Sock has no nylon, just 100% Superwash merino wool. I’m thinking I would go with the Tosh Twist Light for a pair of socks. Prices seem to be about the same for both.

Malabrigo Yarn (approx. $20.00 / 420-440 yds)

Some of the first fingering yarn I bought was Malabrigo, but as I look around to write this article, I only see their “sock” yarn as being made up of 100% Superwash Merino. Without any nylon added, I wonder how long it would last. I’m picturing holes in the heels here.

And don’t be confused by the word “superwash”. It means the wool is washable – even in the washing machine – but it may need a gentle cycle, and will probably still need to lay flat to dry. Hand washing is always best to keep garments looking good.

Manos del Uruguay (approx. $25.50 / 445 yds)

Manos del Uruguay has beautiful yarn and they do have one for socks called Manos Alegria. It contains 75% superwash merino wool and 25% nylon. This yarn is so pretty and it comes in semi-solids, which have slight variations in color, or blocks of color which will create stripes when knitting socks.

Hedgehog Fibres (approx. $28.00 – $30.00 / 437 yds.)

I never knew much about Hedgehog Fibres (located in Ireland) and I have never purchased their yarn. But I want to very soon! The online stores mentioned below carry this yarn. I’m sure there are others as well. HHF sock yarn is 90% superwash merino wool, and 10% nylon.

Simply Socks is an awesome yarn website and they do sell Hedgehog Fibres sock yarn in loads of colors, including whites / off-whites that have just a touch of color. Those are hard to find.

Wool and Company also sells Hedgehog Fibres Sock, and for a bit less, and they ship in the US for free, no matter the size of the order. AND they will wind skeins for free! I love this place. The Malabrigo Rios yarn for my Umpqua Sweater came from Wool and Company. In fact I just purchased some new yarn for sock knitting. How could I resist? I will still have to get my “white speckled” from Simply Socks.

HF Skinny Singles (fingering in Merino wool- no nylon in this) at Jimmy Beans Wool are loaded with awesome colors. (400 yards each) These colors would be great for shawls.

Self-striping and Fair Isle Yarn to Try

I have not tried any of this self-striping yarn, but the idea of knitting along and seeing stripes emerge sounds interesting. There are lots more than this, but I thought I’d give you a place to begin. You can always use two (or more) skeins of different colors and make your own stripes! Some companies have dyed their yarn to resemble “fair isle” knitting without having to change yarn colors. This can look very pretty knit up as socks.

Lorna’s Laces – Shepherd Sock

Berroco Sox (find at Webs)

KnitPicks Felici Sock Yarn (cheap, self-striping)

Schachenmayr Regia Nautical Color 4-ply

Regia (Fair Isle stripes) Machine wash and dry!

Black and red striped socks (photo credit: Pixabay)

Search Online Yarn Stores For Free Shipping and Discounts

It can pay to search for deals when ordering yarn online. I would love to drive to a local yarn shop and give them my business but I don’t have one nearby. On the other hand, I can spend hours browsing yarns on my computer. I can compare prices and even order colors that are out of stock everywhere else (Wool and Company does that by offering “custom orders”).

Some online stores offer free shipping (Wool and Company) and others want you to spend a certain amount to get the free shipping. Some places give discounts for ordering so many skeins (Webs). Some places will wind yarn orders for free (Wool and Company!) and some will do it for a small fee (Miss Babs – this place also gives out little gifts with orders, like stitch markers and small samples of yarn.) Who doesn’t like free stuff?

I’ve never been unhappy with any order placed online. Selling yarn is a competitive business, and it’s important to stand out in some way.

Miss Babs mini skeins of yarn — Hot Shot Toes Mini skeins from Miss Babs

Don’t Forget Etsy & Small Yarn Businesses (Local if you have them)

I’m all for helping out entrepreneurs and that includes small yarn shops. Many people like to try their hand at yarn spinning and dying or whatever. Some have farms where they raise their own sheep, alpacas, or whatever and then use their wool to sell. However they do it, I like to give them a try.

Recently I bought some of Emma’s Yarn from a Florida Yarn Shop called Four Purls. They have a yarn truck which they take to places that don’t have local yarn shops and it’s where I bought my yarn. The yarn is beautiful and silky. I am in the middle of making the Dewdrops Shawl with it.

I’ve purchased yarn from shops on Etsy as well and I have never been disappointed when buying from small shops. Now I just need to knit something using all that yarn!

yarn café creations skein of blue — Etsy store: Yarn Cafe Creations

Cheap Sock Yarn and Yarn Without Wool

Sock yarn can also be cheap, like Cascade Heritage Sock, or Borroco Comfort Sock (around $8.00 for 447 yards) and Self-Striping Sox. It is not hand-dyed and sometimes is part acrylic or other manmade fibers. These brands are made in China and Turkey.

People who are allergic to wool will appreciate hand-knit socks without any wool. Alternate choices would be cotton, linen, or man-made fibers. Many of the links to yarn sites I have provided on this page also offer some type of wool-free yarn. Just search the sites.

This type of yarn can probably be machine washed and maybe even thrown into the dryer. Read the labels, but it may work well for anyone who refuses to hand wash items. If your socks are a gift, be sure to add a tag, or tell the person to wash with care.

More Info About Buying Yarn and Suggested Projects

Check out the Love Knitting site page: “What are the Best Yarns for Knitting?” I learned some new things about ply and grams and that silk can replace nylon for strength when it comes to knitting socks!

All I Need Is A Good Sock Pattern!

Just the other day I cast on and began knitting a sock. I used a size 1 US needle – or should I say 4 double-pointed needles. What a pain in the neck! I was following a free pattern that quickly got confusing. Then I made a very big mistake that couldn’t be fixed and I ripped the whole thing out.

I found a pattern called Pedestrian by Veronica Parsons which seems easy enough to understand. Follow the link to Ravelry where you can download the pattern for free. I will try it next.

I followed the pattern for knitting Basic Socks in my Dummies book, and made a pair in worsted weight. I can’t wear them with shoes, so I want to knit socks in fingering. I’d love to be able to convert that pattern to a smaller yarn and needle size. OR, find a pattern like it that I can understand.

Photos of socks on this page came from the Pixabay free images site.