How much wool do I need to knit a sweater?

One of the most common questions among knitters is:

“How much wool do I need to knit a sweater?”

The answer depends on several factors: the thickness of the yarn , the size , the type of stitch and the technique (crochet or two needles).
But don't worry—at Idealium, we've put together this clear and practical guide so you can easily calculate how many grams of wool (or how many balls) you'll need for your next sweater.

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 I need to crochet a sweater?

Table of approximate grams for a women's crochet sweater by size and thickness

The quantities are expressed in total grams , rounded to the nearest 50g, to make it easier for you to calculate how many balls you need.

	Women's Jersey
Category thick	S	M	L	XL
(0) Lace	400	450	500	550
(1) Fingering	450	500	550	600
(2) Sport	500	550	600	650
(3) DK	550	600	650	700
(4) Worsted	600	650	700	800
(5) Bulky	700	800	900	1000
(6) Super Bulky	850	950	1050	1150
(7) Jumbo	1000	1150	1250	1400

Grades:

• The quantities in the table are calculated for a mid-length , with medium density and hip length .
  
• If you're making an openwork design, subtract 10–15%; if it's very intricate or embossed, add 10%.
• Tension: medium, neither tight nor loose.
• Sweater length: hip length.
• Added margin of 10–15% for seams, edges or small variations.

Table of approximate grams for a crochet cardigan by size and thickness

The quantities are expressed in total grams , rounded to the nearest 50g, to make it easier for you to calculate how many balls you need.

	Long cardigan
Category thick	S	M	L	XL
(0) Lace	500	550	600	650
(1) Fingering	550	600	650	750
(2) Sport	600	700	750	850
(3) DK	700	800	850	950
(4) Worsted	800	900	1000	1100
(5) Bulky	950	1050	1150	1300
(6) Super Bulky	1100	1250	1350	1500
(7) Jumbo	1300	1450	1600	1800

Grades:

• The quantities in the table are calculated for a mid-weight , medium density , and mid-thigh length .
  
• If you're making an openwork design, subtract 10–15%; if it's very intricate or embossed, add 10%.
• Tension: medium, neither tight nor loose.
• Added margin of 10–15% for seams, edges or small variations.

Table of approximate grams for a men's crochet sweater by size and thickness

The quantities are expressed in total grams , rounded to the nearest 50g, to make it easier for you to calculate how many balls you need.

	Men's Jersey
Category thick	S	M	L	XL
(0) Lace	500	550	600	650
(1) Fingering	550	600	650	700
(2) Sport	600	650	700	800
(3) DK	650	700	800	900
(4) Worsted	700	800	900	1000
(5) Bulky	850	950	1050	1150
(6) Super Bulky	1000	1100	1200	1350
(7) Jumbo	1200	1350	1500	1650

Grades:

• The quantities in the table are calculated for a mid-length , with medium density and hip length .
  
• If you're making an openwork design, subtract 10–15%; if it's very intricate or embossed, add 10%.
• Tension: medium, neither tight nor loose.
• Sweater length: hip length.
• Added margin of 10–15% for seams, edges or small variations.

How much wool do I need to knit a sweater with two needles?

In the case of jerseys knitted with two needles, the wool consumption is somewhat lower, since the jersey stitch has a flatter and lighter structure.
The following charts will serve as a reference if you knit using either the traditional (English) or continental method.

Table of approximate grams for a women's sweater knitted with two needles (knit) by size and thickness

The quantities are expressed in total grams , rounded to the nearest 50g, to make it easier for you to calculate how many balls you need.

	Women's Jersey
Category thick	S	M	L	XL
(0) Lace	300	350	400	450
(1) Fingering	350	400	450	500
(2) Sport	400	450	500	550
(3) DK	450	500	550	600
(4) Worsted	500	550	600	700
(5) Bulky	600	650	700	800
(6) Super Bulky	700	800	900	1000
(7) Jumbo	900	1000	1100	1200

Grades:

• The quantities in the table are calculated for plain jersey stitch , with 1x1 or 2x2 elastic edges.
  
• If you are doing garter stitch, reliefs, cables or colorwork, add +10–30%.
  
• If you knit with openwork stitch, you can subtract 10%.
• Tension: medium, neither tight nor loose.
• Sweater length: hip length.
• Added margin of 10–15% for seams, edges or small variations.

Table of approximate grams for a cardigan knitting (knitting) by size and thickness

The quantities are expressed in total grams , rounded to the nearest 50g, to make it easier for you to calculate how many balls you need.

	Long cardigan
Category thick	S	M	L	XL
(0) Lace	400	450	500	550
(1) Fingering	450	500	550	600
(2) Sport	500	550	600	700
(3) DK	550	650	700	800
(4) Worsted	650	750	850	950
(5) Bulky	750	850	950	1050
(6) Super Bulky	850	950	1050	1200
(7) Jumbo	1050	1150	1300	1450

Grades:

• The quantities in the table are calculated for plain jersey stitch , with 1x1 or 2x2 elastic edges.
  
• If you are doing garter stitch, reliefs, cables or colorwork, add +10–30%.
  
• If you knit with openwork stitch, you can subtract 10%.
• Tension: medium, neither tight nor loose.
• Cardigan length: mid-thigh.
• Added margin of 10–15% for seams, edges or small variations.

Table of approximate grams for a men's sweater knitting (knitting) by size and thickness

The quantities are expressed in total grams , rounded to the nearest 50g, to make it easier for you to calculate how many balls you need.

	Men's Jersey
Category thick	S	M	L	XL
(0) Lace	400	450	500	550
(1) Fingering	450	500	550	600
(2) Sport	500	550	600	700
(3) DK	550	600	700	800
(4) Worsted	600	700	800	900
(5) Bulky	700	800	900	1000
(6) Super Bulky	850	950	1050	1150
(7) Jumbo	1000	1150	1300	1450

Grades:

• The quantities in the table are calculated for plain jersey stitch , with 1x1 or 2x2 elastic edges.
  
• If you are doing garter stitch, reliefs, cables or colorwork, add +10–30%.
• If you knit with openwork stitch, you can subtract 10%.
  
• Tension: medium, neither tight nor loose.
• Sweater length: hip length.
• Added margin of 10–15% for seams, edges or small variations.

In summary

• For a size M women's crochet sweater , calculate between 500 and 650 g depending on the type of yarn.
• For the same two-needle sweater, you will need between 400 and 550 g .
• The yarn category (from 0 to 7) makes the difference: the thicker the wool, the more weight you will need, but fewer balls.
• And remember: always consult the manufacturer's sample before calculating.