How much yarn for a pair of socks
A pair of socks (adult, 8 in around, 9.5 in foot + 7 in leg) takes about 250 yd of worsted (weight 4) yarn in single crochet, likely between 210 yd and 300 yd. In double crochet it is about 200 yd, and knit in stockinette about 190 yd.
With 200-yard skeins, buy 2 skeins for single crochet in worsted (enough for the high end). Thicker yarn needs fewer yards; thinner yarn more.
Yarn for a pair of socks by yarn weight (yards)
Yarn for a pair of socks by yarn weight (yards)| Weight | Single crochet | Double crochet | Knit |
|---|
| 1 Super Fine | 520 yd | 420 yd | 410 yd |
|---|
| 2 Fine | 360 yd | 290 yd | 280 yd |
|---|
| 3 Light | 310 yd | 250 yd | 240 yd |
|---|
| 4 Medium | 250 yd | 200 yd | 190 yd |
|---|
| 5 Bulky | 180 yd | 140 yd | 140 yd |
|---|
| 6 Super Bulky | 130 yd | 100 yd | 100 yd |
|---|
| 7 Jumbo | 59 yd | 48 yd | 46 yd |
|---|
Yarn for a pair of socks by yarn weight (meters)
Yarn for a pair of socks by yarn weight (meters)| Weight | Single crochet | Double crochet | Knit |
|---|
| 1 Super Fine | 480 m | 380 m | 370 m |
|---|
| 2 Fine | 330 m | 260 m | 250 m |
|---|
| 3 Light | 280 m | 230 m | 220 m |
|---|
| 4 Medium | 230 m | 180 m | 180 m |
|---|
| 5 Bulky | 160 m | 130 m | 130 m |
|---|
| 6 Super Bulky | 120 m | 96 m | 93 m |
|---|
| 7 Jumbo | 54 m | 43 m | 42 m |
|---|
Getting an exact number
Work a swatch in your yarn and stitch, weigh it, and scale up: project area ÷ swatch area × swatch weight gives the grams, and the skein label turns grams into yards. The yarn calculator does this for you.
Buy all the skeins at once from the same dye lot, and plan about 10 % extra for edging, seams and joining.
Estimates from the StitchTick yarn calculator: fabric area × typical yards per square inch for each yarn weight and stitch (Craft Yarn Council wraps per inch). Stitch pattern, hook and tension can change them by 15–20 % either way.
How much yarn for other projects
Frequently asked questions
How many skeins for a pair of socks?
In worsted single crochet, plan for up to 300 yd: 2 skeins of 200 yards.
Does crochet use more yarn than knitting?
Usually yes: single crochet uses about 29 % more yarn than stockinette for the same area. Taller stitches like double crochet use less than single crochet.
How do I work out yarn from a swatch?
Weigh your swatch, divide the project area by the swatch area, and multiply by the swatch weight. Then turn grams into yards with the skein label (for example 100 g = 200 yd).