How much yarn do you need for a blanket? A complete guide to estimating yarn for every blanket size

Creating a handmade blanket is a rewarding endeavor, but determining the amount of yarn required can be challenging. The quantity of yarn needed depends on several factors, including the blanket's size, the yarn's weight, and the chosen stitch pattern.

Factors Influencing Yarn Requirements

1. Blanket Size: Larger blankets naturally require more yarn. Standard blanket sizes include:

   • Baby Blanket: Approximately 42" x 52" (107 x 132 cm)
   • Throw Blanket: Approximately 52" x 60" (132 x 152 cm)
   • Twin Size Blanket: Approximately 66" x 90" (168 x 229 cm)

2. Yarn Weight: Yarn thickness affects the number of stitches per inch, influencing the total yarn needed. Common yarn weights include:

   • Super Fine (Sock, Fingering): Yields more stitches per inch, requiring more yarn
   • Medium (Worsted, Aran): A balanced choice for many projects
   • Super Bulky: Fewer stitches per inch, requiring less yarn

3. Stitch Pattern: Complex or dense stitch patterns may consume more yarn compared to simpler ones.

Estimating Yarn Requirements

To estimate the amount of yarn needed:

1. Create a Gauge Swatch: Knit or crochet a small sample using your chosen yarn and stitch pattern. Measure how many stitches and rows fit into a 4" x 4" (10 x 10 cm) square.

2. Calculate Total Stitches: Determine the total number of stitches in your blanket by multiplying the number of stitches per inch by the blanket's width and the number of rows per inch by the blanket's length.

3. Determine Yarn Usage: Based on your swatch, calculate how much yarn was used and extrapolate to the full blanket size.

General Yarn Estimates

While exact amounts vary, here are approximate yarn requirements for a simple blanket using medium weight yarn:

• Baby Blanket: Approximately 700–900 yards (640–820 meters)
• Throw Blanket: Approximately 1,200–1,500 yards (1,100–1,370 meters)
• Twin Size Blanket: Approximately 1,800–2,200 yards (1,650–2,000 meters)

Additional Tips

• Consult Pattern Guidelines: If following a specific pattern, refer to its recommendations for yarn type and quantity.

• Purchase Extra Yarn: It's advisable to buy more yarn than estimated to account for variations in tension and potential mistakes.

• Consider Yarn Dye Lots: Ensure all yarn comes from the same dye lot to maintain color consistency throughout your blanket.

For a visual guide on determining yarn requirements for a chunky blanket, you may find this tutorial helpful: