How much yarn
How Much Yarn Do I Need? Yardage for Blankets, Sweaters, Hats and More
In worsted weight yarn, an adult hat takes about 200 to 225 yards to knit, an adult sweater 1,125 to 1,625 yards, a throw blanket 2,250 to 3,125 yards and a queen blanket 6,250 to 8,650 yards. Crochet uses about 25 to 33 percent more. Buy 10 to 15 percent extra from one dye lot.
The table below gives yardage by project in worsted weight yarn, the most common choice: an adult hat takes about 200 to 225 yards to knit and a throw blanket 2,250 to 3,125 yards, with crochet running 25 to 33 percent higher.
| Project | Worsted, knit | Worsted, crochet | 100 g worsted skeins, knit | DK, knit | Bulky, knit | Super bulky, knit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adult Hat | 200 to 225 | 250 to 300 | 1 to 2 | 200 to 250 | 125 to 200 | 125 to 150 |
| Cowl | 200 to 300 | 250 to 400 | 1 to 2 | Not published | Not published | Not published |
| Mittens | 150 to 250 | 200 to 325 | 1 to 2 | Not published | 100 to 150 | Not published |
| Scarf | 375 to 500 | 475 to 675 | 2 to 3 | 375 to 500 | 250 to 375 | 250 to 375 |
| Adult Socks | 275 to 375 | 350 to 500 | 2 to 3 | 275 to 400 | 250 to 350 | 200 to 250 |
| Shawl | 375 to 550 | 475 to 725 | 2 to 4 | 400 to 625 | 350 to 500 | 350 to 475 |
| Adult Sweater | 1,125 to 1,625 | 1,400 to 2,150 | 5 to 10 | 1,500 to 2,250 | 950 to 1,125 | 825 to 1,125 |
| Baby Blanket | 1,000 to 1,125 | 1,250 to 1,500 | 5 to 7 | 1,125 to 1,250 | 875 to 1,000 | 750 to 875 |
| Throw Blanket | 2,250 to 3,125 | 2,825 to 4,150 | 10 to 19 | 3,000 to 3,500 | 2,000 to 2,250 | 1,625 to 2,000 |
| Twin Size Blanket | 4,100 to 5,700 | 5,150 to 7,600 | 18 to 34 | 5,500 to 6,400 | 3,650 to 4,100 | 2,950 to 3,650 |
| Full Size Blanket | 5,000 to 6,900 | 6,250 to 9,200 | 22 to 41 | 6,650 to 7,750 | 4,450 to 5,000 | 3,600 to 4,450 |
| Queen Size Blanket | 6,250 to 8,650 | 7,800 to 11,500 | 28 to 51 | 8,300 to 9,700 | 5,550 to 6,250 | 4,500 to 5,550 |
| King Size Blanket | 7,500 to 10,400 | 9,400 to 13,850 | 33 to 62 | 9,950 to 11,650 | 6,650 to 7,500 | 5,400 to 6,650 |
- Planning estimates only. The yardage stated on the pattern always wins.
- Crochet usually uses about 25 to 33 percent more yarn than knitting for the same size piece.
- Stitch pattern changes yardage: garter used about 46 percent more yarn than stockinette in one test; cables, textures, and colorwork use more.
- Buy 10 to 15 percent extra, from the same dye lot.
- Lion Brand ranges do not state knit or crochet; they are used here as the knit baseline.
Dishcloths and small amigurumi are left out because no reliable published yardage exists for them; size and stitch density vary too much. For a custom size, use the yarn yardage calculator or the blanket yarn calculator, and check the blanket size chart.
Frequently asked questions
How much yarn do I need for a crochet blanket?
A throw takes about 2,825 to 4,150 yards of worsted weight yarn to crochet, a baby blanket about 1,250 to 1,500 yards and a queen about 7,800 to 11,500. Crochet totals run 25 to 33 percent above the knit figures because the stitches are taller and denser. Heavier yarn cuts them sharply. The throw blanket page breaks the same figures down by yarn weight, skeins and grams.
How many skeins of yarn do I need for a blanket?
In 100 gram skeins of worsted, which hold about 170 to 230 yards each, a throw is 10 to 19 skeins to knit and a baby blanket 5 to 7. Buy the whole amount in one dye lot, plus 10 to 15 percent, because a second lot can show as a visible stripe. Count by the yards printed on the label rather than by grams, since fiber changes how far 100 grams goes.
Does crochet use more yarn than knitting?
Yes, about 25 to 33 percent more for the same size piece, because crochet stitches are taller and use more yarn per stitch. A worsted throw is 2,250 to 3,125 yards knit against 2,825 to 4,150 yards crocheted, a gap of up to 1,025 yards, or roughly five extra 100 gram skeins. Open, lacy crochet narrows the gap and dense single crochet widens it.
How do I calculate how much yarn I need?
Start from the pattern; with no pattern, take the nearest project here and scale it by area. A throw at 2,250 to 3,125 yards covers 50 by 65 inches, about 22.6 square feet, which is 100 to 138 yards per square foot in worsted. Multiply that by your own square footage and add 10 to 15 percent. Check the result against your own swatch in the knitting gauge calculator, because gauge moves the total more than the yarn brand does.
Researched from manufacturer specifications, owner manuals and verified owner reviews, not hands-on testing, and not professional advice. As an Amazon Associate, Cozy Stitchery earns from qualifying purchases.
