Crochet Yarn Yardage Calculator
Estimate how many yards and skeins of yarn you need for a crochet blanket, scarf, hat, sweater or any rectangle — by size, yarn weight and stitch. Switch to swatch mode for an answer based on your own tension.
You need about
Estimates use typical yards per square inch for each weight and stitch (see methodology). Tension varies by person, so buy from one dye lot and keep the receipt for unused skeins.
How the estimate works
Every yarn weight and stitch uses a fairly predictable amount of yarn per square inch of fabric. A worsted-weight double crochet fabric uses roughly 0.9 yards per square inch; single crochet uses more because it is denser, and open stitches use less. Thinner yarns use more length for the same area. The calculator multiplies your project area by that rate and adds a safety margin.
The swatch method is more accurate: it measures exactly how much yarn your hands use for a known area, then scales it to the full project.
Questions
How much yarn do I need for a crochet blanket?
A 50 x 60 inch throw in worsted-weight double crochet needs roughly 2,700 yards before a safety margin, or about 8 to 9 skeins of 364-yard yarn. Single crochet and thinner yarns need more.
Does single crochet use more yarn than double crochet?
Yes. Single crochet makes a denser fabric, so it typically uses about 25% more yarn than double crochet for the same area.
Why add a safety margin?
Tension, swatching, joining and edging all use extra yarn, and a later dye lot may not match. A 10 to 20% margin avoids running short.
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