Last updated on May 22nd, 2025 at 07:06 pm
This guide is primarily useful for beginner knitters and crocheters, but even experienced knitters will find it handy.
How Much Yarn Do You Need To KNIT…?
Before Calculating Yarn Requirements
Before you calculate how much yarn you need, you must decide on the stitch pattern because it affects yarn consumption, as does the thickness of the yarn.
Key Points to Know:
Loosely spun yarn is more economical than tightly spun yarn.
Stockinette stitch uses less yarn than patterned knitting.
Lace knitting requires less yarn than stockinette stitch.
For the same yarn thickness, using thicker needles is more economical. However, thicker needles are mainly suitable for fluffy or hairy yarns.
What to Decide First
At the start, you need to decide not only on the type of garment but also its details: yarn, pattern, and needles.
Yarn Consumption Depends On:
Stitch pattern
Yarn thickness
- Needle size
How to Calculate Yarn Exactly (But It’s Complicated)
To calculate yarn consumption precisely, you would:
Knit a 10 x 10 cm swatch.
Wash and block it.
Unravel the swatch and measure the length of yarn used.
Draft a pattern and calculate the total area.
Calculate how many such squares you need for your size.
And yes, it’s just as fussy as it sounds.
Practical Advice
It’s difficult to calculate exact yarn consumption, so buy 1-2 extra skeins just in case.
Alternatively, use the approximate yarn consumption table below, which is based on the experience of many knitters.
Tip: Always buy 10% more yarn than you think you’ll need!
Does Crochet Use More Yarn Than Knitting?
Short answer? Yes, usually. But — as with most things in yarn life — it depends on a few details like your stitches, tension, and the tools you’re using.
What I’ve Learned (and What Experts Say):
In general, crochet uses about 25% to 33% more yarn than knitting to make the same size project. This is because crochet stitches are thicker, a little loftier, and stack up higher than knitting stitches. They build a denser fabric — cozy and textured, yes, but also hungrier for yarn.
Let’s break it down a little:
Single crochet (the tight, sturdy one) eats up the most yarn.
Double crochet is a bit lighter and more open — it can use less yarn than knitting in garter stitch.
Tunisian crochet? Ohhh, she’s a beauty, but she loves yarn. It tends to use even more than regular crochet, often 25–30% more than stockinette knitting.
It also depends on:
Your stitch pattern (lace vs. dense textures)
Yarn thickness (chunky yarn = more yarn eaten up faster)
And especially your tension — tight crocheters will always burn through more yarn than those who stitch with a relaxed hand.
Planning Yarn for Crochet Projects
If you’re turning a knitting pattern into a crochet one, plan for about 25–30% more yarn to cover the difference. It’s not exact science, but it’s a good ballpark.
Here’s what I always recommend:
Make a swatch — yes, it takes a little time, but it saves a lot of yarn chicken drama later. Measure how much yarn your stitches actually use.
Play with hook size — if your fabric is turning out too stiff (and too yarn-hungry), go up a hook size for better drape and less consumption.
And don’t worry — you’re not doing anything “wrong” if your crochet eats more yarn than your knitting. That’s just the nature of the craft! You’re building something warm, strong, and full of character — and that’s worth a few extra meters of yarn, don’t you think?
Have you noticed crochet using more yarn than knitting in your projects?
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