Yarn Calculator – Calculate How Much Yarn You Actually Need 🧮🧶

If you would like to receive free written patterns and video tutorials straight into your inbox, just click Subscribe to get into our mailing list.

Where Do I Start?

To calculate the yardage estimate for any crochet project, you will need to consider a few factors such as the size of the project, the type of yarn you’re using, the stitch pattern, and your personal tension or gauge.

Here’s a quick run down on what you would need to do first.

1. Project at hand: Once you have decided what you will be making, take note of the size of the pattern that you will be following or the dimension you’d like for your project to be. 🧶 Here are some great selection of free crochet  patterns to chose from.

2. Yarn weight: Check the yarn label or pattern instructions to identify the fiber weight of the yarn you are using such as fingering, worsted or bulky. They may also come in numbered categories (see image below). 

4. Hook Size: The hook sizes also play a very important role in your final outcome. There are so many different sizes to choose from, so play around with the ones that suit you the best.

5. Check your gauge: The pattern or yarn label usually specifies a recommended gauge, which indicates the number of stitches and rows per inch or centimeter.

This information helps ensure your finished project matches the intended size. If you are making your own project freehand, you will still need to make a gauge swatch in order to determine how much yarn you will need.

Here is a quick guide on how to measure a swatch gauge. Once you have established the size and measurement of your gauge, you should be able to determine how many rows and stitches you will need per panel or per piece.

HOW TO USE THIS YARN CALCULATOR

The first thing to do is to select the Measurement Unit you’d prefer to use. Imperial (Yards & Inches) or Metrics (Meters & Grams).

Next, you would need to input the total Length per Skein. You can find this by checking the information written on the yarn sleeve. This would either be in yards or in meters.

Once you have these two details inputted and have already completed a gauge swatch for your project, it is time to start frogging (rip-it rip-it!)

For simple demonstration purposes, I have worked up 10 half double crochet stitches and 2 rows like this image below. Otherwise, use your swatch.

If your pattern calls for 2 rows of 2 different stitches, then work up 2 sets of rows of those stitches and count that as 1 row to frog. Or you can use this other handy calculator instead.

Next, you will hold on to the last stitch just under the loop made, and without letting it go, you will unravel/ frog/ rip/ pull apart 10 stitches from that row.

Place a stitch marker on the last stitch so it does not come apart (while still holding on to the yarn) and measure the length from your fingertips to the stitch marker.

(Tip: You could also slip a stitch marker through the yarn where your fingertips are)

Remember not to stretch or slack the yarn when measuring or you will not get an accurate reading resulting in getting more or less yarn than actually required.

Now input the total length into the next column – Length of 10 Sts.

For the next column, key in the Number of Stitches needed per row and the Number of Rows needed per panel, piece, or item that you are making. 

Then include the Number of Panels you will be making based on the same number of stitches and rows mentioned earlier. If you only have 1 item then just key in 1.

Now let the calculator do the rest!

You will be able to see the Total Length in yards or meters for your project and the Number of Skeins/ balls / yarns that you will need.

——————————-