Yarn Yardage Calculator
Knit and measure a swatch, note how many metres it ate, then enter it with your project dimensions. The calculator scales swatch to project, adds a 15% buffer for tension drift and frogging, and converts to skeins.
Pattern databases and yarn-brand sites quote yardage for their gauge, not yours. Your swatch is the only gauge that matters - this tool makes it the yardstick instead of a formality.
How to use
- Knit a swatch at least 10×10 cm in the project stitch, block it, and let it relax before measuring.
- Find the yarn it used: unpick and measure, or weigh the swatch and convert with grams-per-metre from the ball band.
- Enter both with the project's finished dimensions and your skein size; buy the skein count shown in one dye lot.
Frequently asked questions
Why does my swatch need blocking first?
Blocking relaxes the stitches to their final geometry - a pre-block swatch can lie by 5-10% in both directions, which compounds to a quarter of your yardage on a big project. Measure what the fabric will be, not what it is on the needle.
What is the 15% buffer for?
Tension drifts over a long project, sizing gets adjusted, and the neckline everyone reknits eats yarn twice. Fifteen percent is the quiet difference between finishing on the last skein and shopping for a dye lot that no longer exists.
Can I use grams instead of metres?
Yes - run the maths in grams throughout (swatch grams × area ratio) and convert at the end with the ball band. Weighing on a kitchen scale is usually more accurate than estimating unpicked metres.
Why must all skeins come from one dye lot?
Dye lots differ subtly in shade, and the difference shows as a visible stripe where the new ball starts. Buy the full count up front, and wind one extra from the same lot as your repair skein for years to come.