24 Free Sock Weight Yarn Knitting Patterns

If we listed every single free sock knitting pattern using fingering weight yarn, this list would never end. Yes, the sock weight yarn's namesake is most often knit in, you guessed it, sock weight yarn. There's really a plethora of gorgeous sock knitting patterns out there, so it's no wonder that the knitting population has a niche of crafters who knit socks more than anything else (myself included). There are a variety of styles of leg, heel, short rows, and toes to use, as well as ways to knit socks two at a time. You can choose to knit them cuff-down or toe-up, and that's not where your choices end. Check out some of our favorite patterns below to get a feel for your own personal style.

Second only in popularity for fingering weight knitting patterns to the sock is the notorious shawl. Like with socks, there is a group of knitters out there who thrive off of knitting shawls almost exclusively. It's no mystery why: these projects are bigger, grander, and truly serve to show off your chops as a knitter with their often intricate and detailed stitchwork. Fancy shawls are worn to weddings, kept as heirlooms, and even seen on the rich and the famous. While shawls are too often knit in lace weight yarn, you'll find many more shawl patterns in sock weight yarn, complete with tassels, beads, and everything in between.

If you shudder at the idea of knitting an entire sweater in fingering weight yarn, you're not alone. You would, however, be shocked at the sheer number of free sweater patterns using sock yarn. I knit my first sweater in fingering weight yarn about a month ago (in two weeks, which I don't recommend), and it's the first sweater I've knit that I've actually worn more than twice! The drape of fingering weight sweaters is just so flattering. While beginner sweater knitters would be better off starting with a thicker yarn just to learn to master the construction of a sweater, those who have knit a few sweaters in their journey would be highly advised to try one of the lovely patterns below.

It's possible you've knit hats in worsted weight yarn and heavier, but never anything lighter. That was my experience, too, until about a month ago when I completed my first fingering weight hat. Actually, it was the Wavy Bird Slouchy Beanie below, and I adore it. Due to the thinner nature of the yarn, fingering weight hats will produce a more satisfying slouch, but fitted beanies are also an excellent option for this yarn. The quickest option of all categories on this page, knit hats in sock weight yarn are a particularly great choice for more impatient knitters who still want to knit something brag-worthy.

Neckwear is a less popular choice for fingering weight yarn, but is an excellent option for the errant skein or two of fingering weight yarn that you want to use during your winter knitting. One would think that scarves and cowls knit in lighter weight yarn wouldn't keep you as warm as a bulkier version, but often the tighter gauge of thinner yarn helps keep cold wind from penetrating the fabric and helps you stay toasty. While scarves and cowls knit in DK weight yarn and thicker often have a very "handknit" look to them, scarves knit in fingering weight yarn are often mistaken for high-end finds. If that's your style, check out the accessories below.

Of course fingering weight yarn is a great choice for baby patterns! The next two yarn weights up, sport (2) and DK (3), are often marketed as baby yarn, but the thin nature of fingering weight yarn makes it excellent for creating smaller projects that arestill impressive and intricate. You can find a variety of baby patterns for everything from hats to sweaters for your tikes using sock weight yarn, andtheones we've listed below are only a few of your very many options. P.S.: They make for really special baby shower gifts, too.