Super Fine Weight Yarn (Sock and Fingering, CYC 1): Needle Size, Hook Size and Gauge
Fingering weight yarn, CYC 1, knits at 27 to 32 stitches per 4 inches on 2.25 to 3.25 mm needles and crochets at 21 to 32 single crochet on 2.25 to 3.5 mm hooks. It measures 14 to 30 wraps per inch and runs about 380 to 600 yards per 100 grams.
Yarn weight means the thickness of the strand, not how heavy the ball is. The Craft Yarn Council (CYC) numbers its categories from 0 for lace to 7 for jumbo, and fingering weight yarn is category 1. Labels also call it Sock, Fingering, Baby. Its typical projects are socks, lightweight shawls, baby garments, fine sweaters.
| CYC category | 1 (Super Fine) |
|---|---|
| Other names | Sock, Fingering, Baby |
| Wraps per inch | 14 to 30 |
| Knit gauge (stockinette, per 4 in) | 27 to 32 stitches |
| Recommended needles | 2.25 to 3.25 mm (US 1 to 3) |
| Crochet gauge (per 4 in) | 21 to 32 single crochet |
| Recommended hooks | 2.25 to 3.5 mm (B-1 to E-4) |
| Yards per 100 g (retailer charts) | 380 to 600 |
What size knitting needles do you use for fingering weight yarn?
CYC recommends 2.25 to 3.25 mm (US 1 to 3) needles for fingering weight yarn. Every size below falls inside that range. Start in the middle and change size until your swatch matches the pattern gauge; each size links to its own page with cast-on estimates.
| Needle | Metric | US | Old UK | Also suits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US 1 | 2.25 mm | 1 | 13 | lace |
| 2.5 mm | 2.5 mm | None | None | Only this weight |
| US 2 | 2.75 mm | 2 | 12 | Only this weight |
| US 3 | 3 mm | 3 | 11 | Only this weight |
| US 3 | 3.125 mm | 3 | None | Only this weight |
| US 3 | 3.25 mm | 3 | 10 | fine (sport) |
What size crochet hook do you use for fingering weight yarn?
CYC recommends 2.25 to 3.5 mm (B-1 to E-4) hooks for fingering weight yarn, at 21 to 32 single crochet per 4 inches. The smallest recommended hook is 0 mm off the smallest recommended needle, because crochet fabric is denser than knitting.
| Hook | Metric | Old UK | Also suits |
|---|---|---|---|
| B-1 | 2.25 mm | 13 | Only this weight |
| 2.5 mm | 2.5 mm | 12 | Only this weight |
| C-2 | 2.75 mm | None | Only this weight |
| D | 3.125 mm | None | Only this weight |
| D-3 | 3.25 mm | 10 | Only this weight |
| E-4 | 3.5 mm | 9 | fine (sport) |
How much fingering weight yarn do you need for a project?
Published yardage guides do not list projects in fingering weight yarn. For scale, the table shows the nearest published weight, fine (sport). Finer yarn needs more yards than this for the same size piece.
| Project | Knit (yd) | Crochet (yd) | 100 g skeins (fine) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adult Hat | 250 to 325 | 325 to 425 | 1 to 2 |
| Scarf | 450 to 625 | 575 to 825 | 2 to 3 |
| Adult Socks | 300 to 450 | 375 to 600 | 1 to 2 |
| Shawl | 450 to 700 | 575 to 925 | 2 to 3 |
| Adult Sweater | 1,750 to 2,625 | 2,200 to 3,500 | 5 to 9 |
| Baby Blanket | 1,250 to 1,500 | 1,575 to 2,000 | 4 to 5 |
| Throw Blanket | 3,500 to 3,750 | 4,375 to 5,000 | 10 to 13 |
| Twin Size Blanket | 6,400 to 6,850 | 8,000 to 9,100 | 17 to 23 |
| Full Size Blanket | 7,750 to 8,300 | 9,700 to 11,050 | 21 to 28 |
| Queen Size Blanket | 9,700 to 10,400 | 12,150 to 13,850 | 26 to 35 |
| King Size Blanket | 11,650 to 12,450 | 14,550 to 16,550 | 31 to 42 |
Tools and yarn for fingering weight yarn
HiyaHiya Flyers Flexible Double-Pointed Needles, Sock Set
$119.91Sharp 8 inch double points from 2.25 to 3 mm, a dedicated set for sock knitters.
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ChiaoGoo SS Red Lace Circular Knitting Needle, 40-Inch (100 cm), US 1.5 (2.5 mm)
$13.74A 40 inch US 1.5 (2.5 mm) steel circular, a length many knitters use for magic loop.
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Authentic Knitting Board Fine Gauge Wooden Sock Loom
$16.99A hardwood sock loom for DK or thinner yarn that adjusts to any sock size.
Check pricePrices change often, so confirm on Amazon. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
How many stitches do you cast on with fingering weight yarn?
These counts use the full CYC gauge range for fingering weight yarn: 27 to 32 stitches per 4 inches knit and 21 to 32 single crochet crocheted. Knit hat counts are rounded to a multiple of 4 for ribbing, and crochet counts add 1 turning chain. Treat them as estimates and swatch first.
| Piece | Knit stitches | Crochet starting chain |
|---|---|---|
| Hat, 20 in around | 136 to 160 | 106 to 161 |
| Scarf, 8 in wide | 54 to 64 | 43 to 65 |
| Baby blanket, 42 in wide | 284 to 336 | 222 to 337 |
| Throw, 50 in wide | 338 to 400 | 264 to 401 |
| Queen blanket, 90 in wide | 608 to 720 | 474 to 721 |
How do you identify fingering weight yarn by wraps per inch?
Wraps per inch (WPI) tells you the weight of an unlabeled yarn. Wrap it snugly around a ruler with the strands touching but not overlapping, count the wraps in one inch, and compare with the CYC ranges. Super Fine yarn measures 14 to 30 wraps per inch.
| CYC weight | WPI | Knit gauge per 4 in | Yards per 100 g |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 lace | 30 to 40 or more | 33 to 40 | 600 or more |
| 1 super fine (fingering) | 14 to 30 | 27 to 32 | 380 to 600 |
| 2 fine (sport) | 12 to 18 | 23 to 26 | 300 to 380 |
| 3 light (DK) | 11 to 15 | 21 to 24 | 230 to 300 |
| 4 medium (worsted) | 9 to 12 | 16 to 20 | 170 to 230 |
| 5 bulky (chunky) | 6 to 9 | 12 to 15 | 100 to 170 |
| 6 super bulky | 5 to 6 | 7 to 11 | under 100 |
| 7 jumbo | 1 to 4 | 6 or fewer | Not published |
Can you substitute fingering weight yarn for another yarn weight?
You can, as long as you match gauge. The last column shows what happens if you keep a pattern's stitch count for fingering yarn at 29.5 stitches per 4 inches but knit the neighboring weight at the middle of its CYC gauge range.
| Weight | Knit gauge per 4 in | Needles | Same stitch count comes out |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lace | 33 to 40 | 1.5 to 2.25 mm (US 000 to 1) | about 19 percent narrower |
| Super fine (fingering) | 27 to 32 | 2.25 to 3.25 mm (US 1 to 3) | This weight |
| Fine (sport) | 23 to 26 | 3.25 to 3.75 mm (US 3 to 5) | about 20 percent wider |
Estimates, not promises
Planning estimates only. The yardage stated on the pattern always wins. Buy 10 to 15 percent extra, from the same dye lot. The yarn substitution calculator works out how many skeins of a different yarn you need.
Frequently asked questions
What size knitting needles do you use for fingering weight yarn?
The Craft Yarn Council lists 2.25 to 3.25 mm (US 1 to 3) needles for fingering weight yarn, which is CYC category 1. Those are the most commonly used sizes, not a rule. Go down a size if your swatch has fewer stitches per 4 inches than the pattern, and up a size if it has more. Loose knitters often start one size smaller than the label suggests.
What size crochet hook do you use for fingering weight yarn?
CYC lists 2.25 to 3.5 mm (B-1 to E-4) hooks for fingering weight yarn, at a typical gauge of 21 to 32 single crochet per 4 inches. The smallest recommended hook is 0 mm larger than the smallest recommended knitting needle, because crochet fabric is denser. Many yarn labels print both a needle and a hook suggestion, and your gauge swatch has the final say.
What is the knitting gauge for fingering weight yarn?
CYC gives 27 to 32 stitches per 4 inches (10 cm) in stockinette on 2.25 to 3.25 mm (US 1 to 3) needles. At 29.5 stitches per 4 inches, a 20 inch wide piece needs about 148 stitches and a 20 inch hat about 148. Your hands, the fiber and the stitch pattern all shift gauge, so knit a 6 inch swatch, wash it and measure the center.
How many wraps per inch is fingering weight yarn?
Fingering weight yarn measures 14 to 30 wraps per inch (WPI) on the CYC scale. Wrap the yarn snugly around a ruler, strands touching but not overlapping, and count the wraps in one inch. The range overlaps lace and fine (sport), so an unlabeled yarn near the edge needs a gauge swatch to confirm. Fuzzy yarns read thicker than they knit.
How much fingering weight yarn do I need for a blanket?
Published yardage charts do not give blanket figures for fingering weight yarn. It is rarely used for blankets; its usual projects are socks, lightweight shawls, baby garments and fine sweaters. For a sense of scale, a sport weight throw takes about 3,500 to 3,750 yards knit, and finer yarn needs more.
What can I substitute for fingering weight yarn?
The nearest weights are lace and fine (sport). If you work a pattern written for fingering at 29.5 stitches per 4 inches with fine (sport) yarn at its typical gauge, the piece comes out about 20 percent wider. Match the pattern gauge with a swatch, not the weight name, and compare yards per 100 grams so you buy enough.
How we research: we compare manufacturer specifications, owner manuals, published standards and recurring themes in verified owner reviews. We do not test products in person, and this is researched guidance, not professional advice. Follow your machine manual and pattern, and take care with rotary cutters, hot irons and needles. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.