How much wool do I need to knit socks?

October 11, 2025

Knitting socks is one of the most rewarding projects: small, portable, and full of personality. But one of the first questions that arises before starting is how much yarn you need .

The answer depends on the size, the stitch, the thickness of the yarn, and the length of the sock . In this guide, we'll help you easily calculate it based on the type of yarn.

What kind of wool is used to knit socks?

Although there are many types of wool, socks are almost always knitted with fine, strong threads , which allow for a stretchy, durable, and comfortable fabric inside the footwear.

The most common thickness is called “Sock” or “Fingering” , approximately equivalent to a fine wool for 2.25 mm to 3 mm needles.

Ideal requirements for sock yarn:

Fiber: wool and polyamide (nylon) blend for strength.
Length: between 350 and 420 meters per 100 g .
Elasticity: enough to adapt well to the foot.
Easy wash: better if it is superwash (suitable for washing machine).

👉 In short: a “Sock” weight yarn is the most recommended for knitting comfortable and durable socks.

📏 Factors that influence the amount of wool

Before looking at the quantity table, it is worth remembering that yarn consumption varies depending on:

Foot size: Small socks (such as size 36–38) need about 60–70 g, while large sizes (43–46) may require up to 120 g.
Sock height: Ankle socks consume less than high-cut socks.
Stitch type: Openwork or stretchy stitches consume slightly less; textured or cable-knit stitches consume slightly more.
Colorwork or stripes: If you mix colors or make jacquard designs, allow a little extra.

Knitting and crocheting do not consume the same amount of fiber. Crochet uses between 20% and 30% more yarn than knitting , as each stitch forms a tighter, denser structure. For this reason, at Idealium, we've prepared different knitting quantity charts depending on whether you're knitting with knitting needles or crocheting . Be sure to consult the correct chart for your needs.

Before you start: How to know the thickness of your wool

The tables have been calculated based on international fiber thickness categories . If you already have the ball but don't know which International Thickness Category (ICC) it corresponds to, you can easily find out by looking at the stitch sample on its label.

Each manufacturer indicates on the label how many stitches and rows are obtained in a 10x10 cm square using the recommended needles. Based on these numbers, you can identify the category in the following table:

Category thick	International name	Indicative sample (10x10 cm)	Needle crochet	Needles spot
0	Lace	+32 pts	1.5 – 2.25 mm	1.5 – 2.25 mm
1	Super Fine (Fingering, Sock)	27 – 32 pts	2.25 – 3.5 mm	2.25 – 3.25 mm
2	Fine (Sport, Baby)	23 – 26 pts	2.75 – 3.5 mm	3.25 – 3.75 mm
3	Light (DK, Light Worsted)	21 – 24 pts	3.5 – 4.5 mm	3.75 – 4.5 mm
4	Medium (Worsted, Aran)	16 – 20 pts	5 – 6 mm	4.5 – 5.5 mm
5	Bulky (Chunky)	12 – 15 pts	6.5 – 9 mm	5.5 – 8 mm
6	Super Bulky	7 – 11 pts	9 – 15 mm	8 – 12 mm
7	Jumbo	6 pts or less	+15 mm	+12 mm

Indicative quantities according to thread thickness

Below we leave you a guide with the approximate amounts of wool needed to knit socks according to the size and type of yarn .
Please note that the thicker gauges are for information purposes only: socks are typically knitted with Sock, Fingering, or Sport wool.

How much wool do I need to crochet socks?

Category thick	Socks 35 - 37	Socks 38 - 40	Socks 41 - 43	Socks 44 - 46
(0) Lace	50	100	100	150
(1) Fingering	100	100	150	150
(2) Sport	100	150	150	200
(3) DK	150	150	200	250
(4) Worsted	150	200	250	300
(5) Bulky	200	250	300	350
(6) Super Bulky	250	300	350	400
(7) Jumbo	300	350	400	450

The quantities are expressed in total grams , rounded to the nearest 50g, to make it easier for you to calculate how many balls you need.

💡 Idealium Tip:
If you are using lace, fan, or granny stitches, you can subtract 10–15%.
However, if you prefer a tight knit (single or medium stitch), add 10% more.