Quebec sock yarn and knitting wool — how to choose (2026 guide)
How to choose Quebec sock yarn: twist, fiber, worsted vs. woolen. And why local wool spun in Lavaltrie lasts longer than imported yarns.
I learned to knit socks before I learned to spin. For years, I used imported sock yarns — some very good, others disappointing. When we started spinning our own wool at Makeloo Studio, the first thing we wanted to do was create a sock yarn we wouldn't regret.
Here's what we learned — and how to choose, whether you're buying ours or someone else's.
What makes a good sock yarn different
Three things: twist, fiber content, and the way it was spun.
The Twist
A sock yarn needs a tighter twist than a sweater yarn. Why? Because socks experience constant abrasion inside shoes. A tight twist = fibers can't migrate to the surface and pill as easily.
On low-end industrial yarns, the twist is often insufficient. The result: socks that wear through at the sole after a few washes.
The Fiber Content
Most commercial sock yarns contain nylon — between 15% and 25%. Nylon improves the abrasion resistance of fine wool. It's a reasonable solution for superfine wool (merino, 17-18 microns), which is too fragile on its own.
But it's not the only solution. A worsted-spun wool with a higher micron count — say 22-24 microns — can be very durable without synthetic additives, provided the twist is correct and the fiber is of good quality.
That's the approach we took with our La Délicate: Shetland and BFL wool, local alpaca fibers, spun here in the workshop, without nylon. For those who want their socks to last and be comfortable.
Worsted vs. Woolen — Why It Matters for Socks
A worsted-spun yarn is made from parallel, well-aligned fibers. This results in a smooth, dense, durable yarn. A woolen-spun yarn is made from less organized fibers — more lofty, warmer, but less resistant to friction.
For socks: worsted wins. Almost all quality sock yarns are worsted-spun — including classic Scandinavian brands (Regia, Opal) and serious local artisanal yarns.
What's rare in Quebec is locally worsted-spun wool, using Quebec fleece specifically selected for this purpose.
How to read a sock yarn label
| Information | What it means |
|---|---|
| Composition | 100% natural — finer = softer but less durable |
| Zero nylon | Back to basics — useful for fine wool, but not mandatory |
| wpi / Nm | Yarn thickness — prefer sport or fingering for socks |
| Origin | Check: Canadian Wool Cooperative or Produits du Québec certification |
Care: How to make your socks last
Hot water is wool's greatest enemy.
- Too hot water: wool felts in heat — always wash in cold or lukewarm water.
- Excessive agitation: use delicate cycle or hand wash.
- Harsh wringing: gently press, never twist.
- Tumble dryer: never. Dry flat, air dry.
Why local wool changes the experience
Industrial yarns are calibrated to be identical from batch to batch. This is useful for large-scale production — and it yields correct, predictable, unsurprising yarns.
Our batches are not like that. Each batch of La Délicate is slightly different — the same sheep from one season to the next doesn't have exactly the same fleece. The wool speaks for itself.
For those who choose us, this is precisely what they're looking for: something living, traceable, that comes from a specific place — not a container.
Our sock yarn: La Délicate — local wool, worsted-spun.
To see the entire collection: Makeloo Studio shop.
To learn to spin: workshops in Lavaltrie.