We help you calculate the amount of yarn!
Do you want to use our yarn for a pattern, but are unsure about the knitting tension and yarn quantity? We'll help you <3
Knitting strength
Knitting tension means how many stitches there are in height and width. Knitting tension is often given for a 10 x 10 cm area. It is important that you keep the knitting tension given in the relevant pattern to ensure that the measurements are correct.
If you knit with a looser gauge than stated, the garment will be larger than the stated measurements. If you knit with a tighter gauge than stated, the garment will be smaller than the stated measurements.
Example:
28 x 38 sts on needle size 3 = 10 x 10 cm.
10 x 10 cm shows that the knitting tension is measured over an area that is 10 cm wide and 10 cm high. The numbers above mean that you should have 28 sts on 10 cm wide and 38 sts on 10 cm high.
Needle number 3 - the needle number is only a suggestion and does not guarantee that this will give you the correct knitting tension. Therefore, knit a swatch! This swatch should be washed and steamed before measuring the knitting tension.
How to measure knitting tension:
The knitting tension applies to stockinette stitch unless otherwise stated. The knitting tension should be 28 sts in width. This means that you should be able to measure 10 cm and count 28 sts. If you count more than 28 sts in these 10 cm, the knitting tension is tighter. This means that you are knitting too tightly and should change to a thicker needle size. If you count fewer sts than 28 sts in 10 cm, the knitting tension is looser. This means that you are knitting too loosely and should change to a smaller needle size.
The same explanation applies to the vertical knitting tension. If the vertical knitting tension is not stated, you can assume that it is less important.
Running length and yarn quantity:
The running length of yarn depends on the thickness of the yarn. The more meters per gram, the thinner the yarn. When choosing an alternative yarn (a yarn other than the one stated in the pattern) it is important that you choose a yarn that has the same/nearly the same knitting tension and running length as the stated yarn, as this will have a lot to do with the final result.
Example:
In the given pattern, 300 g of a yarn with a knitting tension of 28 m, a running length of 250 m and a weight of 50 g is used. This means that 6 balls of 250 m should be used, which corresponds to 1500 m (6 balls x 250 m).
You will use alternative yarn that has a knitting tension of 28 m, a running length of 400 m and weighs 100 g. We know that 1250 m of yarn has been used in the given pattern, so in order to calculate a new amount of yarn, divide 1500 meters of yarn by the running length of the yarn you want to use. 1500 m divided by 400 m = 3.75. This means that you need 3.75 skeins and must round up to 4 whole skeins.
Note that this calculation method can only be used if you choose yarn that has the same knitting tension as the specified yarn.
Do you want to use our yarn for a pattern, but are unsure about the amount of yarn? Send us a message on Instagram or email, and we will be happy to calculate it for you!