How Much Yarn Do I Need? (Tips for Planning Crochet Projects)

Before we get down to specifics, there are a few things to keep in mind when buying yarn for a crochet project.

1. What weight of yarn will you be using? The higher weight, the fewer yards/skeins you will need. So, if you're using a lightweight yarn, like fingerling, you may need two or three skeins of yarn when you would only need one or two of a worsted or bulky yarn.
    
2. What is the size of the item you are crocheting? For clothing, consider whether it's a child or adult size before buying yarn. As far as crochet blankets go, you're also looking at a lot of size options. Even for baby blankets, there are at least 8 different types and sizes, as is detailed in AllFreeCrochetAfghanPattern's article, How Big is a Baby Blanket (Crochet)?
    
3. What types of stitches will you be using? Every stitch uses up a different amount of yarn. A Single crochet is going to use a lot less yarn than a bobble stitch. Be aware of the "yarn eater" stitches and buy more yarn if needed.
    
4. What size crochet hook will you be using? If you crochet, then you know that using a different size hook on a pattern will change the size since the stitches are closer together or farther apart.
    
5. What is your typical tension and gauge when crocheting? Or, what is the recommended gauge for the crochet pattern you're using? The gauge and tension is going to make a difference with the amount of yarn used because it allows for more or less space between stitches.

 This chart is the basic version of the complete printable yardage chart below. Please note that all numbers are approximate.

We also have a handy downloadable version right below. 

How to Print the PDF Chart:
Printing this is as easy as 1-2-3! If you're not familiar with printing PDFs, here's the step-by-step, along with a few tips.

1. Click the dark teal button right below this section that reads, "Click here to download a PDF version of this chart.". Or, just click this link here to download.
    
2. Find and open the PDF.
   Pro tip: You may see the download appear at the bottom of your browser window, and you can open it from there. Or check wherever your downloads are set to save to (the Downloads folder is often a default location).
    
3. Click the "Print File" button, choose the printer, choose how many copies you want, make any additional adjustments needed for personal preference, and click the "Print" button.
    
4. Keep this handy, either in your craft area or in your purse for when you're at the yarn store next. Then you'll know how much yarn you need for ....?

Click here to download a PDF version of this chart.
 

Because yarn is sold by weight, the number of yards in a skein is always different. According to the Red Heart article, How to Read a Skein Band,
"The yardage given is an estimate and is the least amount of yarn you will encounter in the skein; the actual amount may be more. Since yarn is sold by weight and not by yardage no two skeins of yarn will have the exact same yardage."
A typical skein of worsted weight yarn is roughly 364 yards and weighs 7 ounces.

The fact that yarn is sold by weight and not length makes it slightly more difficult to determine how many yards you will have when buying skeins and balls of yarn, but the estimate on the packaging label helps.

As mentioned earlier, you also have to consider the weight of the yarn and the type of stitches you will be using for your project. When in doubt, round up.

You can also find yarn calculators to help do some of the difficult math for you. 

Crochet World magazine online has a great calculator that does weight conversion, helps you determine if you have enough yarn in your stash, as well as how much you need to buy according to the information you provide.

Click here for the crochet yarn calculator from Crochet World

The Crochet Crowd has a yarn substitution calculator that will help you figure out quantities for substitution.

Click here for the crochet yarn calculator from The Crochet Crowd
 

For a full-size blanket, you will need quite a bit of yarn, probably around 13-18 balls or skeins of yarn. Crochet afghans are often very colorful, so you may have one skein of each and, if it's it's really colorful, that can add up. If the blanket only has one or a few colors, it may only be 10 skeins.

To crochet a blanket, you will probably need about 2000–4000 yards of yarn, depending on the weight of yarn, the size, and the number of colors in the blanket.

Looking for a crochet afghan pattern to make? Check out any of these free crochet patterns:

1. Log Cabin Arrow Crochet Afghan Pattern
2. Quickest Granny Stripe Crochet Afghan
3. I Love Color Crochet Afghan (pictured below)
4. Brighton Blanket
5. Denim & Ivory Lapghan

Baby blankets can range from loveys to crib or bed-size blankets, so when crocheting a baby blanket, it's important you pay attention to size. If you're following a pattern, it will tell you how many skeins to use but otherwise, use this information to help you make an educated guess on how much yarn to buy. Small baby blankets may only use one skein of yarn whereas the bigger ones could be up to three or four.

Most crochet baby blanket patterns use worsted weight or bulky yarn, which means you will probably need about 900–1500 yards of yarn.

Looking for crochet baby blanket patterns to make? Check out any of these free crochet patterns:

1. Feather and Fan Baby Blanket
2. V-Stitch Rainbow Crochet Blanket Pattern (pictured below)
3. Crochet Ripple Car Seat Cover
4. Baby's Favorite Crochet Bear Lovey
5. Easy Done In A Day Baby Blanket

Crochet hats are one of the most popular projects in crochet. They typically only use one or less skein of yarn but, again, it's dependent on the pattern.

Most crochet hat patterns use worsted weight yarn, which means you will probably need about 200–250 yards of yarn. But, it also depends on the size - a child's hat will use less yarn than an adult's hat.

Looking for a crochet hat pattern to make? Check out any of these free crochet patterns:

1. Snow Drift Crochet Hat
2. Lolly-Poms Ribbed Crochet Beanie (pictured below)
3. Double Brimmed Hat
4. Crossed Double Crochet Sun Hat
5. Super Speedy Preemie Hat

Have a small project you want to make, like a granny square, coaster, headband, or crochet dishcloth? You will probably only need less than one skein of yarn for each of these projects since they don't take much. Of course, many patterns use multiple colors, so you may still have to buy multiple skeins. But you'll have plenty left over for your next project!

According to the chart above, you will probably need about 25–200 yards, depending on the weight of yarn.

Looking for a small crochet pattern to make? Check out any of these free crochet patterns (they all use less than one skein of yarn):

1. Fourth of July Crochet Coasters
2. Crochet Tablet Cover
3. Dishcloth Sampler (pictured below)
4. Fast and Easy Crochet Headband
5. Easy Classic Granny Square

If you want extra warm and thick socks (or slippers), then you will probably be using a higher weight yarn, like 4-6, but you may want thin, delicate socks, which would be weight 1-3. We're still looking at a small project, though, so you shouldn't need more than one or two skeins of yarn for a crocheted pair of socks.

The approximate yardage will range from 250–400, depending on the weight, size, and stitches used.

Looking for crochet sock patterns to make? Check out any of these free crochet patterns:

1. Rainbow Sherbert Socks
2. Basic Crocheted Socks
3. Baby Socks/Slippers
4. Wildlings Socks
5. Color Pop Socks (pictured below)

Scarves are a little trickier since they can be practically any thickness and length you desire. You can also use nearly any stitch available for a scarf. Most scarves will use one to two skeins of yarn.

According to the chart above, you will probably need about 300–650 yards, depending on the weight of yarn, the colors, the stitches, style, and length amongst other factors.

Looking for a scarf crochet pattern to make? Check out any of these free crochet patterns:

1. Mystic Waves Infinity Scarf (pictured below)
2. Crochet Lacy Scarf
3. Easiest Plaid Crochet Scarf
4. Color Block Cowl
5. How to Crochet a Super Bulky Scarf

When it comes to shawls and ponchos, you are most likely going to need three to five skeins of yarn. Although these two types of projects are different and each requires unique details, they are similar enough in size that the amount of yarn needed for a shawl is probably similar to a poncho.

For simple shawls and ponchos, you are looking at an approximate yardage of 400–700 for your yarn of choice.

Looking for crochet shawls and poncho patterns to make? Check out any of these free crochet patterns:

1. Golden Shimmer Shawl
2. Rainbow Lace Crochet Poncho (pictured below)
3. Amelia Shawl
4. Winsome Crochet Poncho
5. Twilight Reverie Crochet Poncho

Sweaters can be light or heavy, depending on the season or style. There are also a lot of different sizes for sweaters, from newborn to men's. Then there are cardigans. A cardigan is probably more closely related to a poncho when it comes to how much yarn you will need. Most crochet sweater patterns use about 4–11 balls or skeins of yarn.

According to the chart above, you will probably need about 1000–3500 yards of yarn to make an adult size sweater.

Looking for a crochet sweater pattern to make? Check out any of these free crochet patterns:

1. Crochet Ladies Pullover
2. Flattering Seamless Tunic
3. Boys' Dinosaur Sweater
4. Boat Neck Pullover Sweater (pictured below)
5. Adult Crochet Crew Neck Pullover