How much wool do I need to knit a hat, a collar or a scarf?
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Knitting your own accessories is one of the most beautiful ways to enjoy knitting. They're quick, practical projects, and perfect for using up spare balls of yarn or trying out new yarns.
But the big question always comes before we start:
“How much wool do I need to knit a hat, a scarf or a shawl?”
In this guide we tell you how many grams of wool you need depending on the type of garment and the thickness of the yarn (International Thickness Categories) , both for crochet and knitting .
Knitting and crocheting do not consume the same amount of fiber. Crochet uses between 20% and 30% more yarn than knitting , as each stitch forms a tighter, denser structure. For this reason, at Idealium, we've prepared different knitting quantity charts depending on whether you're knitting with knitting needles or crocheting . Be sure to consult the correct chart for your needs.
Before you start: How to know the thickness of your wool
The tables have been calculated based on international fiber thickness categories . If you already have the ball but don't know which International Thickness Category (ICC) it corresponds to, you can easily find out by looking at the stitch sample on its label.
Each manufacturer indicates on the label how many stitches and rows are obtained in a 10x10 cm square using the recommended needles. Based on these numbers, you can identify the category in the following table:
| Category thick |
International name | Indicative sample (10x10 cm) |
Needle crochet |
Needles spot |
| 0 | Lace | +32 pts | 1.5 – 2.25 mm | 1.5 – 2.25 mm |
| 1 | Super Fine (Fingering, Sock) | 27 – 32 pts | 2.25 – 3.5 mm | 2.25 – 3.25 mm |
| 2 | Fine (Sport, Baby) | 23 – 26 pts | 2.75 – 3.5 mm | 3.25 – 3.75 mm |
| 3 | Light (DK, Light Worsted) | 21 – 24 pts | 3.5 – 4.5 mm | 3.75 – 4.5 mm |
| 4 | Medium (Worsted, Aran) | 16 – 20 pts | 5 – 6 mm | 4.5 – 5.5 mm |
| 5 | Bulky (Chunky) | 12 – 15 pts | 6.5 – 9 mm | 5.5 – 8 mm |
| 6 | Super Bulky | 7 – 11 pts | 9 – 15 mm | 8 – 12 mm |
| 7 | Jumbo | 6 pts or less | +15 mm | +12 mm |
How much wool do you need to crochet accessories?
Crochet creates a denser structure and uses slightly more fiber than knitting.
The approximate quantities for hats, collars, scarves and shawls are calculated for medium knitting , with medium tension , and knitted with standard thickness yarn according to each thickness category.
With this technique, projects typically require 10% to 20% more yarn than if you were knitting with two needles.
💡 Idealium Tip:
If you are using lace, fan, or granny stitches, you can subtract 10–15%.
However, if you prefer a tight knit (single or medium stitch), add 10% more.
| Accessories | ||||
| Category thick |
Adult hat | Neck | Scarf 20x160 cm |
Medium shawl |
| (0) Lace | 150 | 150 | 250 | 200 |
| (1) Fingering | 150 | 200 | 300 | 250 |
| (2) Sport | 150 | 200 | 350 | 300 |
| (3) DK | 150 | 250 | 450 | 350 |
| (4) Worsted | 200 | 250 | 500 | 450 |
| (5) Bulky | 200 | 300 | 650 | 550 |
| (6) Super Bulky | 250 | 350 | 750 | 700 |
| (7) Jumbo | 300 | 450 | 900 | 850 |
How much wool do you need to knit accessories with two needles?
If you prefer needles, the consumption will be slightly lower.
These quantities are calculated for plain stockinette stitch or garter stitch , with medium tension and medium thickness wool.
💡 Idealium Tip:
Garter stitch and embossed knits consume more fiber than plain jersey.
If you knit a very wide or long scarf, add +10 to +20% to the base calculation.
| Accessories | ||||
| Category thick |
Adult hat | Neck | Scarf 20x160 cm |
Medium shawl |
| (0) Lace | 100 | 100 | 200 | 150 |
| (1) Fingering | 100 | 150 | 250 | 200 |
| (2) Sport | 100 | 150 | 300 | 250 |
| (3) DK | 100 | 200 | 350 | 300 |
| (4) Worsted | 150 | 200 | 400 | 350 |
| (5) Bulky | 150 | 250 | 500 | 450 |
| (6) Super Bulky | 200 | 300 | 600 | 550 |
| (7) Jumbo | 250 | 400 | 700 | 650 |
How to adjust consumption to your design
Sometimes a simple detail can make a significant difference in your cash expenditure. Keep these factors in mind:
- Reliefs or braids: +10–25%.
- Oversized or very long designs: +15–20%.
- Openwork or net-type points: –10–15%.
- Various colors (stripes or blocks): distribute the total in proportion to the design.
- Double knit (reversible collars or scarves): double the area and adjust the calculation.
Ideal projects to get started
If you're just starting out, accessories are perfect for practicing without fear of size or shape.
At Idealium we recommend:
- Basic crochet hat – 1 ball of Bulky wool (5) .
- Garter stitch scarf – 3 balls of DK wool (3) .
- Short Neck – 2 balls of thick wool with soft texture Bulky wool (5).
- Medium shawl – 3–4 balls of DK or gradient wool .
In summary
- To knit a hat or a collar , 1 to 2 balls are usually enough.
- A medium scarf or shawl may require 3 to 5 balls , depending on the thickness.
- The exact amounts depend on the type of wool (CYC) , the tension and the stitch .
- Always refer to the manufacturer's sample and leave an extra 10–15% .
✨ And remember: if you have any leftover yarn, you can use it for a matching hat, flower, or decorative border!