Crochet Yarn Calculator

Crochet Yarn Estimator

Results

Estimated Total Yardage: 0 meters

Skeins Required: 0

Note: This includes your 15% safety buffer to account for tension variations and weaving in ends.

function calculateCrochetYarn() { var width = parseFloat(document.getElementById('crochet_width').value); var length = parseFloat(document.getElementById('crochet_length').value); var stitchFactor = parseFloat(document.getElementById('stitch_type').value); var stitchGauge = parseFloat(document.getElementById('stitch_gauge').value); var rowGauge = parseFloat(document.getElementById('row_gauge').value); var buffer = parseFloat(document.getElementById('safety_buffer').value); var skeinLen = parseFloat(document.getElementById('skein_length').value); if (isNaN(width) || isNaN(length) || isNaN(stitchGauge) || isNaN(rowGauge) || isNaN(skeinLen)) { alert("Please fill in all fields with valid numbers."); return; } // Calculate total stitches in the piece // Gauge is per 10cm, so we divide by 10 to get per 1cm var stitchesAcross = (width * (stitchGauge / 10)); var rowsTotal = (length * (rowGauge / 10)); var totalStitches = stitchesAcross * rowsTotal; // Approximate length of yarn per stitch in cm (averages based on hook size/stitch) // We use the stitchFactor (e.g. 1.5cm for SC, 2.6cm for DC) var yarnInCm = totalStitches * stitchFactor; // Convert to meters var yarnInMeters = yarnInCm / 100; // Apply safety margin var totalMeters = yarnInMeters * (1 + (buffer / 100)); // Calculate skeins var skeins = Math.ceil(totalMeters / skeinLen); document.getElementById('total_meters').innerText = totalMeters.toFixed(2); document.getElementById('skeins_needed').innerText = skeins; document.getElementById('buffer_percent_display').innerText = buffer; document.getElementById('crochet_result').style.display = 'block'; }

---

How to Use the Crochet Yarn Calculator

Planning a new project is exciting, but "yarn chicken"—running out of yarn inches before finishing—is every crocheter's nightmare. This tool helps you estimate exactly how much yarn you need based on your project dimensions, stitch choice, and personal gauge.

Key Calculation Factors

• Project Dimensions: Enter the target width and length of your finished piece in centimeters.
• Stitch Type: Different stitches consume yarn at different rates. A Double Crochet (DC) uses significantly more yarn per stitch than a Single Crochet (SC), while Bobble stitches are notorious "yarn eaters."
• Gauge: This is the number of stitches and rows in a 10cm (4-inch) square. Always crochet a swatch with your chosen hook and yarn to get an accurate gauge measurement.
• Safety Margin: It is standard practice to add 10% to 15% extra yarn for mistakes, changing tension, and the lengths used for weaving in ends.

Practical Example

Imagine you are making a simple baby blanket that is 80cm wide and 80cm long using Double Crochet.

If your gauge is 15 stitches and 10 rows per 10cm, and you are using skeins that contain 200 meters of yarn:

1. The calculator determines you will make approximately 9,600 stitches.
2. Using the Double Crochet factor, it estimates the total yardage.
3. With a 15% safety buffer, you would likely need approximately 1,435 meters.
4. Divided by 200m per skein, the calculator would recommend buying 8 skeins.

Tips for Accurate Yarn Estimation

1. The Swatch is King: Your personal tension (tight vs. loose) can change yarn usage by up to 20%. Always measure your own gauge rather than relying on the yarn label's suggested gauge.

2. Hook Size Matters: Using a larger hook than recommended will create a lacier, larger fabric but may actually use less yarn for the same surface area compared to a very tight, dense fabric made with a small hook.

3. Dye Lots: If the calculator suggests 5.2 skeins, always buy 6. It is better to have one leftover skein than to try and find a matching dye lot months later when you realize you are short.