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Yarn substitution calculator
To substitute yarn, divide the pattern's total yardage by the length of one skein of your yarn and round up. A pattern needing 600 yd in 218 yd skeins is 2.8 skeins, so buy 4 with a little spare. It also works out how much yarn is left on a part-used ball from its weight.
Buy4 skeins of your yarn
- Pattern needs
- 600 yd (549 m)
- One of your skeins
- 218 yd
- Exactly
- 2.8 skeins
Includes about 10% extra for swatching, tension and joins. Buy every skein from the same dye lot.
Worked example
The pattern calls for 600 yd of worsted. Your yarn has 218 yd per skein: 600 ÷ 218 = 2.8, plus about 10% spare, so buy 4 skeins from one dye lot.
Not sure how much a whole project needs? The blanket and scarf calculators estimate yardage from the size, and the gauge calculator checks your swatch.
Questions
How many skeins do I need if I use a different yarn?
Take the total yardage the pattern needs and divide it by the length of one skein of your yarn, then round up and add a little extra. A pattern needing 600 yd in 218 yd skeins is 2.8 skeins, so buy 4.
Should I use the pattern's yardage or its skein count?
Always the yardage. Skeins of different yarns hold very different lengths, so 3 skeins of one yarn can be 5 of another.
How do I know how much yarn is left on a ball?
Weigh it. Divide its weight by the full ball's weight from the label and multiply by the label length: 37 g left of a 100 g, 218 yd ball is about 81 yd.
Can I swap in a different yarn weight?
Only if you also change the gauge. Swap within the same weight (worsted for worsted) and check your gauge with a swatch.
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Every number here is an estimate worked out in your browser; nothing you type is sent anywhere. Yarn use changes with your stitch pattern, tension and fibre, so swatch first and buy from one dye lot. Check your whole pattern before you start.