Do You Really Need Nylon for Sock Knitting? The Case for 100% Merino Wool
Do Socks Really Need Nylon? Let’s Talk About It.
At Ewe Ewe Yarns, we love socks. We love knitting them, gifting them, and slipping our feet into a cozy, hand-knit pair. But one question comes up again and again:
“Can you make socks without nylon?”
Our answer? Absolutely. In fact, our Fluffy Fingering yarn is made from 100% superwash merino wool—and it makes excellent socks.
Where Did the Nylon Assumption Come From?
Take a look at most commercial sock yarns, and you’ll see this popular blend: 80% superwash merino, 20% nylon. The nylon is there to boost strength and elasticity, which sounds great in theory. But let’s take a step back.
Before nylon was even invented, knitters were making strong, durable socks out of 100% wool. Think about the thousands—maybe millions—of socks knit for soldiers during World War II. Nylon wasn’t widely used until the 1940s, and certainly wasn’t common in hand-knitting yarns. So how did those socks survive trench warfare?
The answer: good wool, good twist, and good knitting.
Why We Skip the Nylon
At Ewe Ewe Yarns, we’re proud to offer yarns made from 100% Italian-milled, Australian merino wool—and yes, that includes our fingering-weight Fluffy Fingering yarn. This yarn has:
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A high twist rate – This tightly spun construction creates a firm, resilient strand that resists wear and pilling.
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Smooth, superwash-treated fibers – These glide comfortably against the skin and hold up beautifully to repeated use and washing.
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Zero plastic content – No nylon. No synthetics. Just pure, soft, durable merino wool.
If you're trying to reduce your plastic consumption in your daily life, skipping nylon in your yarn choices is a great place to start.
But Will They Last?
We’ve seen Fluffy Fingering socks stand up to wear, wash, and everything in between. Of course, sock longevity depends on many factors: your stitch choice, gauge, fit, and how you care for them. But the idea that nylon is the only way to make a sock last? That’s a myth worth busting.
A Note on Comfort
Let’s not forget: 100% merino feels amazing on your feet. Soft, breathable, and temperature regulating. That’s hard to beat.
Want to Give It a Try?
If you've been hesitant to make socks without nylon, we invite you to try a pair in Fluffy Fingering. You might be surprised how sturdy, squishy, and satisfying a sock knit without synthetics can be.
Let’s bring sock knitting back to its roots—with a little modern twist.
