Yarn Planning Made Easy: Tips to Avoid Yarn Chicken
- Nov 22, 2024
- 2 min read
We’ve all been there—standing in front of a yarn rack, debating. What do I want to make? Is there enough yarn here? The thought of running out mid-project is enough to make any crafter cringe. Yarn chicken is the most stressful game, but luckily, it’s avoidable with a bit of planning. Here are my go-to tips for ensuring you have enough yarn for your next project.
Step 1: Start with a Pattern (If You Have One)
If you’re working with a pattern, always check the yarn recommendations. Patterns are designed with specific yardages in mind, and while your tension might vary slightly, sticking to these guidelines should keep you on track. Purls n' Potions does all the work for you and why we curate our kits so you can de stress about your next project!
Step 2: No Pattern? No Problem
If you’re freestyling or modifying a design, look for posted recommendations where you shop, or use the yardage estimates below as a guide. Remember, the type of craft you’re doing can significantly affect how much yarn you’ll need.
How Much Yarn Do You Need?
Type of Craft Matters
Knitting vs. Crochet: Crochet typically uses about 30% more yarn than knitting. If you’re converting a knit pattern to crochet, plan for an additional 33% to account for differences in tension.
Apparel and Accessories
Here’s a quick reference guide for common projects by yarn weight:
Super Fine (1) to Worsted Weight (4):
Hat: 200–325 yards
Scarf: 500–825 yards (Pro Tip: Oversized scarves are fabulous! My Time Traveler kit produced an 11-foot-long scarf!)
Socks: 275–500 yards
Shawl: 375–850 yards (For oversized shawls, I go up to 1,000 yards in fine yarn.)
Bulky (5) to Jumbo (7):
Hat: 60–200 yards
Scarf: 125–375 yards
Socks: 175–350 yards (I adore felted slippers—check out the
Sweaters
Sweaters require more planning since tension, garment size, and gauge all play a role. Always make a swatch (a 4x4-inch sample) in your chosen stitch to check your gauge before diving in.
Worsted Weight (4): 1,125–2,000 yards (Larger sizes like XXL and above will need more.)
Sport Weight (3): 1,500–2,500 yards
Bulky Weight (5): 950–1,500 yards
Blankets
Blankets are versatile and can range from lap-sized to king-sized. Tension and gauge are especially important for such large projects. For example, my friend and I worked on the same dragon filet crochet blanket pattern, but her queen-sized version was finished in a month, while my king-sized version is still in progress—thanks to my looser tension!
Worsted Weight (4): 2,250–3,125 yards
Sport Weight (3): 3,000–3,500 yards
Bulky Weight (5): 2,000–2,250 yards
Final Thoughts
These recommendations are based on my personal experience and love of crafting. For most projects, I lean towards sport to bulky weight yarns—they strike a perfect balance of versatility and ease. While lace weight yarns are exquisite for delicate shawls or socks, they require more time, so I tend to reserve them for smaller projects.
Take your time choosing your yarn and project size. With a bit of planning, you’ll never have to face the stress of running out of yarn again.
Happy crafting, and have an amazing holiday season! 🎄✨
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