How much worsted weight yarn do I need?
Worsted and aran (Medium, 4) yarn needs: yards and skeins for blankets from baby to king, sweaters, hats, scarves and amigurumi, knit or crochet, with hook sizes.
Make a swatch of at least 6 × 6 in in your stitch, wash and block it, then measure and weigh it.
Pattern yarn — from the materials list.
Your new yarn — from its label.
You need about
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About medium yarn (CYC 4)
Worsted and aran (CYC 4, "medium") are the most common yarns in North American craft stores — about 170–220 yards per 100 g. Most blanket and amigurumi patterns are written for worsted, and the large "super saver" skeins of acrylic are also medium weight.
| Also called | Worsted, aran, afghan, 10-ply |
|---|---|
| Knit gauge | 16–20 stitches per 4 in (10 cm), stockinette |
| Needles | 4.5–5.5 mm (US 7–9) |
| Crochet hook | 5.5–6.5 mm (I-9 to K-10½) |
| Typical ball | 200 yd / 183 m per 100 g (≈ 200 yd / 100 g) |
| Yarn rate | ≈ 0.66 yd per sq in in stockinette at average tension |
How much worsted yarn do I need?
| Project | Knit stockinette | Knit garter | Crochet single | Crochet double |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Baby blanket 30 × 36 in | 810740 m · 5 sk | 970890 m · 5 sk | 1,2901,180 m · 7 sk | 1,030940 m · 6 sk |
| Throw 50 × 60 in | 2,2502,050 m · 12 sk | 2,7002,450 m · 14 sk | 3,6003,300 m · 18 sk | 2,8502,600 m · 15 sk |
| Queen blanket 90 × 100 in | 6,7506,150 m · 34 sk | 8,1007,400 m · 41 sk | 10,7509,850 m · 54 sk | 8,5507,800 m · 43 sk |
| Adult scarf 8 × 64 in | 370340 m · 2 sk | 450410 m · 3 sk | 590540 m · 3 sk | 470430 m · 3 sk |
| Adult beanie | 140130 m · 1 sk | 170155 m · 1 sk | 230210 m · 2 sk | 180165 m · 1 sk |
| Adult sweater, M | 1,2001,100 m · 7 sk | 1,4501,320 m · 8 sk | 1,9301,760 m · 10 sk | 1,5301,400 m · 8 sk |
| Women's socks (pair) | 240220 m · 2 sk | 290270 m · 2 sk | 390350 m · 2 sk | 310280 m · 2 sk |
| Triangle shawl 64 × 30 in | 700640 m · 4 sk | 840760 m · 5 sk | 1,1201,020 m · 6 sk | 890810 m · 5 sk |
| Amigurumi, 8 in | 130120 m · 1 sk | 155140 m · 1 sk | 210190 m · 2 sk | 165150 m · 1 sk |
Values are yards with 10% extra; small figures are meters and skeins of a typical ball: medium 200 yd / 100 g. Use the calculator with your own label for exact skein counts.
About these numbers: estimates assume typical gauge for each yarn weight. Your tension, hook or needle size and stitch pattern can move them by ±15% or more — weigh a swatch in the swatch calculator for a figure based on your own work.
Compare other weights: lace, super fine, fine, light, bulky, super bulky, jumbo. See the full yarn weight chart or read yarn weights explained.
FAQ
How much worsted yarn for a throw blanket?
About 2,850 yards (2,600 m) for a 50 × 60 in throw in double crochet with 10% extra — 15 balls of 200 yd / 100 g.
What needle and hook size for medium yarn?
The Craft Yarn Council suggests needles 4.5–5.5 mm (US 7–9) and hooks 5.5–6.5 mm (I-9 to K-10½), for a knit gauge of 16–20 stitches per 4 inches.
What does the number on a yarn label mean?
It is the Craft Yarn Council weight category, from 0 (lace) to 7 (jumbo). 3 is DK, 4 is worsted or aran, 5 is bulky or chunky and 6 is super bulky.
How accurate is a yarn calculator?
Estimates from typical gauge are usually within ±15%, because tension, hook or needle size and stitch pattern vary. The swatch mode — weighing or measuring a real swatch — is accurate to a few percent.