How To Calculate Yarn Yardage Without A Scale

If you landed here from the How to Calculate Yarn Yardage by Weight post, then that means you don’t have a scale, but you need to figure out yardage anyway! No problem! Here are a few easy ways to calculate yarn yardage without a scale.

Say goodbye to the struggle of not having a scale handy to calculate your yarn yardage. Remember to bookmark this page so you can come back easily.

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Let’s unravel the secret to estimating yardage without a scale, and trust me, it’s a game-changer!

No Scale, No Worries!

We get it – not everyone has a scale at their fingertips. Don’t worry… I am here to show you a super-easy method to estimate your yarn yardage without a scale! ⚖️

Materials Needed:

• Measuring tape
• Notepad
• Pen or pencil

Measure Up the Fun Way 📏

So, how do you do it? It’s all about measurements and some crafty calculations.

Instead of a scale, you’ll be using the power of your stitches and rows to gauge how much yarn you need.

All you need are your hands, your crochet 🧶 skills, and a dash of creativity!

What Type of Projects Do The Crochet Yardage Calculators Work Best For?

Yard Yardage by Stitch Length Calculator Works Best With the Following:

• Amigurumi
• Beanies
• Purses (excluding the straps)
• Small crochet projects

The Swatch Yard Yardage Calculator Works Best With:

• Square or Rectangle Crochet Projects
• Blankets
• Scarfs

Why These Methods of Calculating Yardage Is So Awesome 🔮

• Scales are not cheap – so learning this formula this calculator will help you become a yarn yardage master.
• Saves time and money – when you buy too much yarn it wastes yarn and money.
• Learning new skills is always a good thing.

Jump to the Calculators

• Yarn Yardage by Stitch Length Calculator
• Yarn Yardage by Swatch Calculator

Table of contents

• No Scale, No Worries!
  • Materials Needed:
• Measure Up the Fun Way 📏
• What Type of Projects Do The Crochet Yardage Calculators Work Best For?
  • Yard Yardage by Stitch Length Calculator Works Best With the Following:
  • The Swatch Yard Yardage Calculator Works Best With:
• Why These Methods of Calculating Yardage Is So Awesome 🔮
• Jump to the Calculators
• Calculating yardage in a crochet project without using a scale
  • How to Calculate Yarn Yardage by Stitch Length
  • Calculate Yarn Yardage by Stitch Formula:
• Use a swatch to estimate yardage in a crochet project.
• Calculations For Yarn Yardage Without a Scale
• The Challenges This Poses
  • the formulas for Each Step:
  • Yarn Yardage by Swatch Formula:
• That’s a Wrap!
• More Crochet Calculators You May Enjoy

Calculating yardage in a crochet project without using a scale

How to Calculate Yarn Yardage by Stitch Length

Method 1 uses the stitch your using for your crochet project.

This method comes in handy if you are working a repetitive stitch (one that repeats, like a herringbone stitch, or a simple one stitch pattern, like double crochet).

It may even work for more complicated repeats, but may not be good for stitch sampler blankets – unless you create a swatch of ALL the stitches in your stitch sampler.

In that case, you can create a swatch with all your stitch samples, rip it out, and measure the yardage manually with a flexible measuring tape.

This method will teach you how to determine the number of skeins needed and can be done by estimating based on the number of stitches in each row or round. Here’s a general approach:

1. Determine Average Stitch Length: Measure the length of a sample stitch (e.g., single crochet, double crochet) and calculate the average length. This will serve as a reference for your stitches.
2. How many stitches are in each row/round? Write it down.
3. Calculate Yardage: Multiply the measured length stitch by the number of stitches in the row/round, then multiply that number by the number or rows or rounds in the pattern. This will give you an estimate of the total length of yarn used.
4. Convert Length to Yards / Meters: If you measured in inches, divide the total length by the number of inches in a yard (36) to get the estimated yardage. If you measured in centimeters, then multiply the total length by 0.01 to get the estimated meters.

Calculate Yarn Yardage by Stitch Formula:

Here is the formula in simple math terms.

(Average Stitch Length × Number of Stitches in Row/Round) ÷ 36 (for yards) or * 0.01 (for meters) = Project Yardage / Meters

Keep in mind that this method provides an approximation and may not be as accurate as using a scale or knowing the exact yardage per skein.

Why? Because there are also chain we do at the end of the rows / rounds too.

It’s recommended for projects where precision isn’t critical, or when you’re working with a consistent stitch pattern.

Yardage by Stitch Calculator

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Use a swatch to estimate yardage in a crochet project.

Method 2 involves creating a swatch using your chosen hook and yarn.

This method works great if you’re setting out to design a blanket in one stitch pattern, because you can not only create your swatch, but also know how many yards you may need.

It may not work well for garments or amigurumi, but great for crochet blankets, potholders, and scarfs. Items that need a lot of size adjustments may give a challenge for this method.

I don’t want to complicate things either, but sometimes it can be little complicated – and that’s why I created a calculator below…

Calculations For Yarn Yardage Without a Scale

Here’s how to do it, and remember, there is a calculator below that will do the math for you down below:

1. Create a Swatch: Crochet a swatch using the same yarn and stitch pattern you plan to use for your project. The swatch can be a 4″ x 4″ (10 cm x 10 cm) swatch.
2. Measure Area of the Swatch: Measure the dimensions of the swatch and write it down (width x height to get the area).
3. Get Yardage of the Swatch: Once finished, rip it out and measure the length of the yarn used. This is the absolute easiest way to do it.
4. Calculate Project Area: Measure the projected dimensions of the project (width and height) in inches or centimeters. Multiply these dimensions to get the project area in square inches.
5. Calculate Project Yardage: Divide the project area by the swatch area to get the factor. Multiply this factor by the yardage used in the swatch to estimate the yardage needed for the project.

You can see why this will work great for square or rectangle projects.

The Challenges This Poses

• Keep in mind that this method assumes uniform stitch tension throughout the project and may not be as accurate for complex stitch patterns.
• It also may be difficult to use this method for anything that twists or turns, like amigurumi projects. It works best for garments, blankets, and flat items.
• Most patterns will list dimensions of a sweater or blanket so that will make it easier.

It’s always a good idea to have a bit of extra yarn on hand to ensure you have enough to complete your project.

the formulas for Each Step:

1. Calculate Swatch Area:
   • Swatch Width (inches or cm) × Swatch Height (inches) = Swatch Area (sq. inches or cm)
2. Calculate Project Area:
   • Project Width (inches or cm) × Project Height (inches or cm) = Project Area (sq. inches or cm)
3. Calculate Swatch Yardage:
   • (Stitch Length × Number of Stitches in swatch) ÷ 36 = Swatch Yardage
4. Calculate Yardage Factor:
   • Project Area / Swatch Area = Yardage Factor
5. Calculate Project Yardage:
   • Yardage per Swatch × Yardage Factor = Project Yardage

Yarn Yardage by Swatch Formula:

(Swatch Area) × (Project Area) ÷ Yardage per Swatch = Total Yardage (estimate)

These formulas will help you estimate the yardage needed for your crochet project using a swatch as a reference. Remember that this method relies on consistent stitch tension and may not be as precise for intricate stitch patterns.

Now that you know the formulas, here is the calculator to make it easier for you!

Yarn Yardage by Swatch Calculator

This formula takes into account the swatch area, project area, and the yardage per swatch to estimate the yardage needed for your crochet project.

Just plug in the values for each variable to get your estimate. Remember that

Back to the Table of Contents

That’s a Wrap!

And there you have it, a handy technique for estimating yarn yardage without the need for a scale!

• By using your stitch and row measurements, along with a sprinkle of creativity, you can confidently embark on your crochet projects.
• No more stressing over scales or unfinished projects due to yarn shortages.
• This method empowers you to customize your creations, plan with precision, and dive into the joy of crafting with ease.

So go ahead, embrace this flexible approach to yardage estimation and let your imagination run wild with yarn! 🧶

More Crochet Calculators You May Enjoy

• C2C Blanket Size Calculator
• C2C Yardage Calculator
• Row by Row Graphghan Calculator
• Granny Square Yardage Calculator
• How Many Chains Do I Need? Calculator
• Calculate Yarn Yardage by Weight 3 Calculators