Bolivar Sock: soft superwash wool fingering yarn for socks
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There is a particular kind of satisfaction in pulling on a pair of hand-knitted socks and knowing they will survive the washing machine. That is exactly the promise Bolivar Sock delivers on. The superwash treatment means the wool fibre has been processed to prevent felting, so your finished socks can go straight into a regular machine wash without worry.
The 25% polyamide (nylon) content is not just a filler. Nylon is the classic reinforcement fibre for sock yarn for good reason: it fights abrasion at the heel and toe, areas that would otherwise wear through quickly on a pure wool yarn. You get the warmth and breathability of wool plus the toughness of nylon in one tightly spun fingering-weight thread.
At 400 metres per 100g ball, a single ball gives you plenty of length for one adult sock, and the pack comes with three balls, so you have enough material for at least two full pairs with yarn to spare for smaller projects like baby booties or a lightweight fingerless mitt. If you enjoy working with fine wool blends across different project scales, Merino Gold is worth bookmarking too, as it offers a similar yardage in a merino-acrylic blend at the same 100g weight. For something with a hint more structure that still pairs wool with polyamide, Baby Merino shares that same nylon-reinforced construction in a fine weight that works beautifully for baby garments as well as socks. And if you want to step into true luxury fingering territory, Silk layers kid mohair, silk, and superfine merino into a gossamer Type 1 weight that knits up with extraordinary drape.
Bolivar Sock is well suited to beginners who are new to sock knitting. The self-striping colourway does all the visual work for you, so you can focus on learning the structure of a sock without needing to manage multiple yarn ends. The 3mm needle recommendation also sits in a comfortable middle ground for fine-yarn knitters.
With a striking Ruby Red colourway in the current pack, this is a strong choice whether you are making socks as a gift or stocking up for your own winter project queue. Three balls, 1,200 metres total, and a colourway that stripes itself: that is a lot of knitting value in one purchase.
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Fiber Composition | 75% Superwash Wool, 25% Polyamide Wool provides warmth and natural breathability; polyamide (nylon) adds durability and resistance to wear at high-friction areas like heels and toes. |
| Weight / Ply | Type 1 SuperFine: Sock, Fingering, Baby Very fine yarn best suited to socks, delicate shawls, and baby items; requires smaller needles and produces a lightweight, close-knit fabric. |
| Yardage per Ball | 400m / 437.44yds Generous yardage for a fingering-weight ball; one ball typically covers one adult sock, making the 3-ball pack ideal for two full pairs. |
| Weight per Ball | 100g / 3.53oz Standard 100g ball size, easy to compare with other sock yarns on the market. |
| Package Content | 3 balls per pack (1,200m / 1,312.32yds total) Enough yarn for at least two pairs of adult socks, with extra left over for smaller accessories. |
| Recommended Needle Size | 3mm A fine needle size appropriate for fingering-weight yarn; produces a dense, durable fabric well-suited to socks. |
| Recommended Hook Size | Not specified If crocheting, a 2.5mm to 3mm steel or aluminium hook is a common starting point for fingering-weight yarns. |
| Gauge | 17 stitches x 25 rows per 10cm x 10cm (4" x 4") on 3mm needles Always knit a gauge swatch before starting; your personal tension may require you to go up or down a needle size to match a pattern. |
| Care Instructions | Machine washable (Superwash treated) The superwash process prevents the wool fibres from felting in the wash, so finished items can go in a regular machine cycle. |
| Colour / Dye Notes | Self-striping Colour changes happen automatically as the yarn is worked; no need to join separate yarn colours to achieve a striped effect. |
| Country of Origin | Not specified Origin information was not provided in the product listing. |
Frequently Asked Questions
How much Bolivar Sock yarn do I need to knit a pair of adult socks?
For a standard pair of adult socks knitted in fingering weight on 3mm needles, most patterns call for between 350m and 450m of yarn. Each ball of Bolivar Sock contains 400m, so one ball is usually enough for a single sock, and two balls will comfortably cover a full pair for most adult foot sizes. The pack comes with three balls, giving you 1,200m in total. That means you can knit two complete pairs and still have a ball left for a child-sized pair, a set of baby booties, or a small accessory like a pair of fingerless mitts. If you are following a specific pattern, check its yardage requirement first and use that as your guide rather than relying on ball count alone.
Can I machine wash finished socks made from Bolivar Sock yarn?
Yes, and that is one of the strongest practical arguments for choosing this yarn. The wool in Bolivar Sock has undergone superwash treatment, which modifies the fibre surface so that the scales on each wool strand cannot interlock and felt together under heat and agitation. This means your finished socks can go into a regular machine wash cycle. As a general best practice with any wool-blend yarn, a cool or warm wash on a gentle cycle and a flat dry will extend the life of your knitting and keep the colours bright for longer. Avoid high-heat tumble drying, as that can cause some shrinkage even in superwash yarns over repeated cycles.
