Yarn Calculator: How Much Yarn Do I Need?

Yarn needed by project and weight

The quick estimate uses Lion Brand's published ranges for common projects. They are a sensible starting point when you haven't picked a pattern yet. A pattern's own yardage, or your swatch, is more accurate.

Project	3 Light	4 Medium	5 Bulky	6 Super bulky
Hat	200–250 yd	200–225 yd	125–200 yd	125–150 yd
Scarf	375–500 yd	375–500 yd	250–375 yd	250–375 yd
Shawl	400–625 yd	375–550 yd	350–500 yd	350–475 yd
Adult sweater	1,500–2,250 yd	1,125–1,625 yd	950–1,125 yd	825–1,125 yd
Baby blanket	1,125–1,250 yd	1,000–1,125 yd	875–1,000 yd	750–875 yd
Afghan	3,000–3,500 yd	2,250–3,125 yd	2,000–2,250 yd	1,625–2,000 yd

Source: Lion Brand yardage estimates. The calculator includes weights 1, 2 and 7 too.

The swatch method

Your hook or needles, your tension and your stitch pattern all change how much yarn a piece takes. Weighing a swatch measures all three at once.

Grams per sq in = swatch weight ÷ (swatch width × height) Project grams = grams per sq in × project width × length Project yards = project grams × yards per skein ÷ grams per skein Skeins = project yards × (1 + extra) ÷ yards per skein, rounded up

Example. A 6 × 6 in swatch weighing 20 g is 0.56 g per square inch. A 50 × 60 in blanket is 3,000 square inches, so about 1,667 g. With yarn that has 200 yd per 100 g skein, that is 3,333 yd, or 19 skeins once 10% extra is added.

Buying tips

Buy from one dye lot. The lot number is on the label, and skeins from different lots can differ enough to show as a stripe.
Round up to whole skeins and add one for a large project. Many shops accept unopened skeins back.
Textured stitches use more. Bobbles, cables and puff stitches can take far more yarn than plain stitches.

Questions

How much yarn do I need for a blanket?

It depends mostly on the yarn weight and the size. Lion Brand's estimates for an afghan run from about 2,250 to 3,125 yards in medium (worsted) yarn and 2,000 to 2,250 yards in bulky. For a figure that fits your stitch and tension, weigh a swatch and use the swatch method.

How do I calculate yarn from a swatch?

Work a swatch of at least 6 × 6 inches in your stitch pattern and weigh it. Divide its weight by its area to get grams per square inch, multiply by the area of the finished piece, then convert grams to yards with the yarn label. A 6 × 6 inch swatch weighing 20 g gives 1,667 g for a 50 × 60 inch blanket.

How many skeins of yarn do I need?

Divide the yards you need by the yards in one skein and round up. Then buy one or two more, all from the same dye lot, because a different lot can show as a stripe.

Does crochet use more yarn than knitting?

Usually, yes. Crochet stitches are taller and denser, so a crocheted piece often takes noticeably more yarn than a knitted one of the same size. The swatch method takes care of this because it measures your own fabric.

How much extra yarn should I buy?

Add about 10% to the estimate, or a full extra skein for small projects. Dense or textured stitches such as bobbles and cables use more yarn than plain stitches.