Boneyard Tools

Blanket Yarn Calculator for Stitches and Skeins

Starting a blanket? Enter the finished width, length and your gauge to get the cast-on stitches, total rows, estimated yards and how many skeins to buy.

How to estimate yarn for a blanket

  1. Enter the finished width and length in inches.
  2. Enter your stitch and row gauge, plus yards per skein if you know it.
  3. Read the cast-on stitches, rows, yards and skeins, then copy the result.

Examples

50 by 60 inch throw at 4 stitches and 5 rows per inch

50 x 60 in, 4 sts/in, 5 rows/in, 220 yd skeins
200 cast-on, 300 rows, 3300 yards, 15 skeins

Frequently asked questions

How much yarn do I need for a blanket?

Multiply the finished area in square inches by a yards-per-100-square-inches figure. This tool defaults to 110, a rough worsted garter estimate, then divides by yards per skein.

How do I find the cast-on stitches?

Multiply your stitch gauge by the finished width in inches and round to the nearest whole stitch. The tool does the same for rows using your row gauge and the length.

What is the yards per 100 square inches figure?

It is how much yarn a 10 by 10 inch patch of your fabric uses. Garter and textured stitches use more, lacy or loose fabrics use less, so adjust it if your swatch differs.

How accurate is the yardage estimate?

It is a rough planning figure. Stitch pattern, gauge, borders and edging all change the total, so swatch first, then buy a spare skein from the same dye lot to be safe.

Can I use this for crochet blankets too?

Yes. Enter your crochet stitch and row gauge and a yards-per-100-square-inches figure from a crochet swatch. Crochet often uses more yarn, so measure your own fabric.

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