Updated at: 25-11-2022 - By: Sienna Lewis

Hand-held needles aren’t the sole method of knitting. “Arm knitting is a lot like traditional knitting in so many ways.” According to Anne Weil, the designer behind Flax & Twine and author of Knitting Without Needles: A Stylish Introduction to Finger and Arm Knitting ($17.49, amazon.com), “the yarn knits the stitches in exactly the same way.” It’s a little different since you use your arms as knitting needles and your hands to create new stitches. It’s possible to construct a wide range of stitches, including cables, lace, and even intricate stitch patterns with a little ingenuity.”

You’ll get bigger results because you’re using your arms to do the work, of course. Warmth and style go hand in hand with chunky blankets and sweaters. The amount of yarn needed to complete these projects, on the other hand, is somewhat different than what you’d use to knit anything smaller. So, how do you calculate the amount of yarn required for this technique?

What influences how much yarn you’ll need

There are many variables to consider when determining how much yarn you’ll need for a project:

  • knitting or crocheting, it doesn’t matter
  • it’s how big the yarn is
  • the size of the needle or hook,
  • your own tenseness
  • the stitching, as well as
  • When it comes to how you’re feeling.

A quick guide:

For a 1 meter by 1 meter crocheted throw rug, I allow 6 skeins of 300g Homelea Bliss (knitting will use less than this).

How much chunky yarn do I need for a throw? — Homelea Lass

Produce a test piece with just one skein or ball of yarn to have a better idea of what you want to make and how much yarn you’ll need. You may either follow along with the steps I’ve provided here, or you can take use of the free masterclass and calculator available in Blanket School. Once you’ve made your blanket, you can always alter it into a cowl or a scarf.

Is making a thick blanket worth the money? Inquiring about the worth of handcrafted and high-quality fibers, this topic raises an interesting point of discussion. This has been opened up and some questions have been put together for you to consider.

The most accurate way to work out how much yarn you’ll need

The math required in figuring out how much yarn you’ll need for a thick throw is quite extensive. Begin by making a gauge square out of a single skein or ball of yarn.

Too hard? We’ve got a handy masterclass and calculator in Blanket School with a free membership.

Here’s how to proceed:

1 – Make a square

crochet/knit an at least 30-by-30-inch square (0.3m). To get the most exact response, choose the stitch and hook/needle size you intend to use for your throw.

How much chunky yarn do I need for a throw? — Homelea Lass

2 – Weigh and measure

Weigh and measure the square in kilos (kg) and meters (m) (m).

3 – Square area

Multiply the length and breadth of the square to find its area (both from 2 above). 0.09m2 is the result of multiplying 0.03m by 0.03m.

4 – Square weight / area

Dividing the weight by the area of your square will give you the weight per square inch (from 3 above). For instance – 0.3kg / 0.09m2 = 3.3kg/m2, for example.

5 – Throw size

Determine the size of your throw — I allow 0.7m × 0.7m for a baby blanket, 1m x 1m for a throw, and 1.7m x 1.7m for a queen-sized bed.

6 – Throw area

By multiplying the lengths of my toss, I may determine the throw’s area (from 5 above). For example, a throw of 1 m x 1 m = 1 m2 can be calculated.

7 – How much yarn

To figure out how much yarn you’ll need, multiply the throw area by the square weight/area (see step 4 above) (from 6 above). With 3.3kg/m2 x 1m2 = 3.33kg, for example

8 – Allow some extra

Allowing extra yarn is the best way to avoid being a little short and having to buy more in the same dye lot. I allow at least an extra 10% and I do this by multiplying the amount of yarn by 1.1 – for example 3.3kg x 1.1 = 3.6kg.

Allowing extra yarn is the best way to avoid being a little short and not having the same dye lot available again! Allowing at least 10% more yarn than needed, I multiply the kilogram weight by 1.1 to arrive at the final weight, which is, for example, 3.3kg x 1.1 = 3.6kg.

Your weight in grams should be divided by 300 to figure out how many skeins of Homelea Bliss you need. For example, 3600g divided by 300 equals 12 skeins, for a total of 24.

The easy way to make chunky blankets and improve your crocheting

Crocheting a blanket doesn’t have to be a difficult endeavor. Finding out how much yarn you’ll need and following the simple instructions may be a snap.

You may develop your crocheting skills while making gorgeous blankets at Blanket School. As a premium member, you’ll be able to participate in the weekly activities and creative challenges that are part of our mindful crochet community. If you get stuck in your crochet project, our Crochet Help Sessions are here to help.

Crochet can be frustration-free – become a Blanket School student now by popping over here.

Calculating by Project

Two factors must be taken into account when estimating the amount of yarn required: the project at hand and the type of yarn selected. Then, proceed as you please. Your project’s size and the thickness of your yarn will determine how much yarn you need. Weil estimates that 225 yards of yarn is needed to make a decent-sized blanket. This would require 900 yards of super bulky yarn if made with four strands. If you’re working with two giant yarn strands, you’ll need roughly 450 yards, and so on and so forth. T-shirt tube yarn may require less than that because the stitches are so large,” says an expert.

How much yarn do you need for a blanket? [Time proven method]

It’s not always easy to tell. Make a swatch of the fabric in the shape and size of the item you want to make, according to Weil. “Expand the measurements to the desired size after measuring the dimensions and the number of yards of yarn needed to make the swatch. When it comes to yarn, “multiply the amount of yarn you need,” she advises. It takes 48 times five yards (or 240 yards) to make an 80-by-60-inch blanket, which is 4,800 square inches in size.

Pattern Guidelines

It’s a good thing that many knitting designs come with an estimate of how much yarn you’ll need for a given project. Using this arm-knit blanket method, a small blanket will require six pounds of yarn, while a large blanket will need roughly nine pounds of yarn, for example. There is a list of supplies required for each of Weil’s patterns like this Arm Knit Seed Stitch Blanket.

It’s also beneficial to try new things. If you want to discover what works and what doesn’t, you can start by creating your own patterns. Finally, you’ll be able to see what you’ve accomplished, and it’s worth the effort.