How much yarn for a sweater
A sweater (women’s size M pullover) takes about 1,230 yd of worsted (weight 4) yarn in single crochet, likely between 1,050 yd and 1,480 yd. In double crochet it is about 990 yd, and knit in stockinette about 960 yd.
With 200-yard skeins, buy 8 skeins for single crochet in worsted (enough for the high end). Thicker yarn needs fewer yards; thinner yarn more.
Yarn for a sweater by yarn weight (yards)
Yarn for a sweater by yarn weight (yards)| Weight | Single crochet | Double crochet | Knit |
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| 1 Super Fine | 2,590 yd | 2,070 yd | 2,010 yd |
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| 2 Fine | 1,760 yd | 1,410 yd | 1,370 yd |
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| 3 Light | 1,530 yd | 1,220 yd | 1,190 yd |
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| 4 Medium | 1,230 yd | 990 yd | 960 yd |
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| 5 Bulky | 880 yd | 710 yd | 690 yd |
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| 6 Super Bulky | 650 yd | 520 yd | 500 yd |
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| 7 Jumbo | 290 yd | 240 yd | 230 yd |
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Yarn for a sweater by yarn weight (meters)
Yarn for a sweater by yarn weight (meters)| Weight | Single crochet | Double crochet | Knit |
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| 1 Super Fine | 2,370 m | 1,890 m | 1,840 m |
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| 2 Fine | 1,610 m | 1,290 m | 1,250 m |
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| 3 Light | 1,400 m | 1,120 m | 1,090 m |
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| 4 Medium | 1,130 m | 900 m | 880 m |
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| 5 Bulky | 810 m | 650 m | 630 m |
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| 6 Super Bulky | 590 m | 470 m | 460 m |
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| 7 Jumbo | 270 m | 220 m | 210 m |
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Worsted yarn for a sweater by size (yards)
Worsted yarn for a sweater by size (yards)| Size | Single crochet | Knit |
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| S | 1,120 yd | 870 yd |
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| M | 1,230 yd | 960 yd |
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| L | 1,370 yd | 1,070 yd |
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| XL | 1,510 yd | 1,170 yd |
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| 2X | 1,680 yd | 1,310 yd |
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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 sweater?
In worsted single crochet, plan for up to 1,480 yd: 8 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).