Yarn Calculator: How Much Yarn Do I Need

Knit & crochet

Switching yarn? Enter the pattern's yarn and yours. Making a rectangle? Enter its size and stitch. Either way you get the skeins to buy.

Quick answer. A pattern calling for 10 skeins of 210 yd needs 2,100 yd, which is 14 skeins of a 170 yd yarn with 10% extra.

Source: pattern skeins x yards per skein, divided by your yarn's yards per skein.

Your yarn

1. What are you working out?

2. Pattern yarn (for a swap)

skeins
yd

Both are in the pattern's materials list. Use the total yardage if it gives that: enter 1 skein of that length.

3. Rectangle (for a scarf or wrap)

in
in
g

4. Your yarn

yd
%

Pick a yarn in the same weight category so the gauge still works.

Result

0

The working

Buy all of it from one dye lot.

Swapping yarn, step by step

  1. Find the pattern's yarn: number of skeins and yards (or metres) per skein.
  2. Multiply them for the total length the pattern needs.
  3. Divide by the yards per skein on your yarn's label.
  4. Round up, and add 10% if you will swatch or the fit is tight.

Choose a yarn in the same weight category, then swatch to check gauge.

Yarn for scarves, cowls and wraps

Grams with 10% extra for each size and stitch, calculated from Interweave's measured coverage. 100 g is about 200 yd (183 m) of a typical worsted.

Yarn needed for rectangles by stitch
PieceGarter stitchStockinetteSingle crochetHalf double crochetDouble crochet
Scarf, 8 x 70 in296 g203 g326 g276 g258 g
Wide scarf, 12 x 72 in457 g314 g503 g426 g398 g
Cowl, laid flat and doubled, 12 x 50 in317 g218 g349 g296 g276 g
Rectangular wrap, 20 x 72 in762 g523 g838 g710 g663 g
Shawl or stole, 24 x 80 in1,015 g697 g1,117 g947 g884 g

Sizes are examples, not standards. Coverage figures come from one chunky yarn, so weigh a swatch of yours for a closer answer.

Sources

Common questions

How do I work out how much yarn to buy if I change yarn?
Multiply the pattern's skeins by its yards per skein, then divide by your yarn's yards per skein and round up. 10 skeins of 210 yd is 2,100 yd, which is 14 skeins of a 170 yd yarn with 10% extra.
Should I substitute yarn by weight or by length?
By length. Two yarns of the same weight category can have very different yards per 100 g, so matching grams can leave you short.
How much yarn do I need for a scarf?
An 8 x 70 in garter stitch scarf takes about 296 g with 10% extra, roughly 592 yd of a 200 yd per 100 g yarn, or 3 skeins.
Does crochet use more yarn than knitting?
Usually. In Interweave's test, single crochet covered 1.89 sq in per gram against 3.03 for stockinette.
How much extra yarn should I buy?
10% covers swatching and a simple edge. Add more for fringe, tassels or textured stitches.