Yarn Calculator: Your Guide to Yarn Alternatives

Use our yarn calculator
– here’s how to calculate your yarn consumption

Have you found your next knitting or crochet project but want to use a different yarn?

With our yarn calculator, you can quickly and easily determine how much yarn you’ll need. Simply enter the yardage, weight, and total yarn amount from the recommended yarn in your pattern – and the yardage and weight of your alternative yarn.

Original yarn (A)

The yarn used in your crochet or knitting pattern is the original yarn. Your pattern usually specifies how many grams are needed, along with the yardage and grams per skein – otherwise, you can always look it up from the manufacturer!

Your yarn alternative (B)

The yarn you plan to knit or crochet with is your yarn alternative. You’ll need both the yardage and weight per skein. Check the label if you’ve already bought the yarn – or look it up.

How to use the yarn calculator

• Enter metres per skein, grams per skein, and grams used in the pattern under Original Yarn (A)
• Enter metres per skein and grams per skein for your alternative yarn under Your Yarn (B)
• Click Calculate to see how many skeins we recommend!

Tip: Always buy a little extra yarn

The yarn calculator automatically rounds up to whole skeins, but it’s a good idea to buy an extra skein just in case. It’s frustrating to run out of yarn with only a neckline or cuff left to finish!

How to find a good yarn alternative!

Material, colour selection, and price are all reasons you might want to choose an alternative yarn. Maybe you can’t get the right gauge or prefer to knit without – or with – a carry-along thread.

Whatever your reason, here are some tips to help you find the right yarn alternative.

There are several factors to consider when selecting a good yarn alternative:

1. The yarn’s gauge
2. The yarn’s fibre composition
3. The yarn’s yardage

The most important thing you can do when choosing a yarn alternative is to make a gauge swatch. This will help you determine if you meet the required stitch gauge, find the right needle size, and see how your final piece will look.

1. Yarn gauge

Gauge is one of the most important factors when selecting a yarn alternative. It tells you how many stitches and rows are needed to achieve the right size.

• The gauge is always listed on the yarn label, making it easy to compare yarns.
• Make sure your alternative yarn has a gauge as close to the pattern’s gauge as possible.

Patterns using multiple yarns:

More and more patterns combine different yarn types – for example, a wool yarn with a silk mohair carry-along yarn.

It’s important to remember that the gauge applies to both yarns used together.

If your pattern uses multiple yarns, you have two options:

1. Find alternatives for both yarns
   • Check each yarn label individually.
   • Choose yarn alternatives with similar gauges.
2. Find one yarn alternative that matches the combined gauge
   • This alternative must match the gauge of both yarns held together.
   • Note: the finished look may differ slightly and have a more “clean” stitch definition.

Shop yarn by gauge

2. Yarn fibre content

The fibre content of your yarn significantly affects how your finished piece looks and feels. Some yarns are 100% wool, while others are blended with two or more types of fibres.

There are many different types of fibres, each with their own characteristics. That’s why it can’t be said enough: always swatch!

When choosing an alternative yarn:

• A good rule of thumb is to select a yarn with similar fibre content to the original.
• This ensures your project turns out as close to the original as possible.
• However, it does limit the range of alternative yarns.

If you choose a yarn with different fibre content:

• Be aware that the fibre content affects the final look, elasticity, and stitch definition.
• Cotton, for example, has a beautiful drape but may feel heavy and not hold its shape as well, making it a poor substitute for wool.

Read more about yarn fibres and blends here

3. Yarn yardage

Yardage isn't important for matching a yarn alternative in itself. But it is crucial when calculating how much yarn you need! If your gauge is correct, it’s easy to calculate the right amount of yarn for your project.

How to calculate your yarn usage

Yarn yardage can vary even if the fibre content is similar. That’s why it’s important to compare the original yarn with your chosen alternative, so you can determine how many skeins to order.

To calculate this, you’ll need:

• The pattern’s stated yarn amount – for your size
• The yardage of the original yarn
• The yardage of your alternative yarn

Example of a yarn alternative

Original Yarn (A)
Amount: 700g yarn
Gauge: 20 stitches
Yardage: 50g = 108 metres

Yarn Alternative (B)
Gauge: 19–20 stitches
Yardage: 50g = 120 metres

Note: The yarn alternative in this example has a longer yardage than the original yarn, so the total amount needed is less. However, we still recommend rounding up and going with 13–14 skeins to be safe.

Tip: PetiteKnit yarn alternatives

Looking for the perfect yarn for your next PetiteKnit creation?

Check out our guide to yarn alternatives for PetiteKnit patterns. You’ll find an overview of some of the most popular designs and which of our yarns you can use – but don’t forget to swatch.

Frequently Asked Questions
about Yarn Alternatives and the Yarn Calculator