How much yarn do I need to knit a sweater?

One of the most common questions among knitters is:

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

The answer depends on several factors: yarn weight, size, stitch pattern, and technique (crochet or knitting).
But don't worry—at Idealium we have prepared this clear, practical guide to help you easily calculate how many grams of yarn (or how many balls) you will need for your next sweater.

Knitting and crochet do not use the same amount of yarn. Crochet uses between 20% and 30% more yarn than knitting, because each stitch creates a denser, more tightly packed structure. For this reason, at Idealium we have prepared different quantity charts depending on whether you plan to knit or crochet; make sure to consult the correct chart for your project.

Before you start: how to determine your yarn weight

The charts were calculated based on the international yarn weight categories. If you already have the yarn but do not know which international yarn weight category (CYC) it belongs to, you can easily find out by looking at the stitch gauge shown on its label.

Each manufacturer indicates on the label how many stitches and rows are obtained in a 10×10 cm with the recommended needles. Based on these figures, you can identify its category in the following table:

Category weight	International name	Approximate gauge (10x10 cm)	Needle crochet hook	Needles stitch
0	Lace	+32 stitches	1.5 – 2.25 mm	1.5 – 2.25 mm
1	Super Fine (Fingering, Sock)	27 – 32 stitches	2.25 – 3.5 mm	2.25 – 3.25 mm
2	Fine (Sport, Baby)	23 – 26 stitches	2.75 – 3.5 mm	3.25 – 3.75 mm
3	Light (DK, Light Worsted)	21 – 24 stitches	3.5 – 4.5 mm	3.75 – 4.5 mm
4	Medium (Worsted, Aran)	16 – 20 stitches	5 – 6 mm	4.5 – 5.5 mm
5	Bulky (Chunky)	12 – 15 stitches	6.5 – 9 mm	5.5 – 8 mm
6	Super Bulky	7 – 11 stitches	9 – 15 mm	8 – 12 mm
7	Jumbo	6 stitches or fewer	+15 mm	+12 mm

How much yarn do I need to crochet a sweater?

Approximate gram chart for a women's crocheted sweater by size and yarn weight

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

	Women's Sweater
Category weight	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

 

Notes:

• The amounts in the table are calculated for half double crochet, with medium density and hip length.
  
• If you make an openwork design, subtract 10–15%; if it is very dense or textured, add 10%.
• Tension: medium, neither tight nor loose.
• Sweater length: hip-length.
• A 10–15% allowance has been added for seams, edges, or minor variations.

Approximate gram chart for a crocheted cardigan by size and yarn weight

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

	Long cardigan
Category weight	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

 

Notes:

• The amounts in the table are calculated for half double crochet, with medium density and mid-thigh length.
  
• If you make an openwork design, subtract 10–15%; if it is very dense or textured, add 10%.
• Tension: medium, neither tight nor loose.
• A 10–15% allowance has been added for seams, edges, or minor variations.

Approximate gram table for a men's crocheted sweater by size and weight

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

	Men's Sweater
Category weight	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

 

Notes:

• The amounts in the table are calculated for half double crochet, with medium density and hip length.
  
• If you make an openwork design, subtract 10–15%; if it is very dense or textured, add 10%.
• Tension: medium, neither tight nor loose.
• Sweater length: hip-length.
• A 10–15% allowance has been added for seams, edges, or minor variations.

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

For knitted sweaters, yarn consumption is somewhat lower, since stockinette stitch has a flatter, lighter structure.
The following tables will serve as a reference whether you knit using the traditional (English) method or the continental method.

Approximate gram table for a women's knitted sweater by size and weight

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

	Women's Sweater
Category weight	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

 

Notes:

• The amounts in the table are calculated for stockinette stitch, with 1x1 or 2x2 ribbed edges.
  
• If you use garter stitch, textured stitches, cables, or colorwork, add +10–30%.
  
• If you knit with an openwork stitch, you can subtract 10%.
• Tension: medium, neither tight nor loose.
• Sweater length: hip-length.
• A 10–15% allowance has been added for seams, edges, or minor variations.

Approximate gram table for a cardigan knitted with needles (knitting) by size and weight

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

	Long cardigan
Category weight	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

 

Notes:

• The amounts in the table are calculated for stockinette stitch, with 1x1 or 2x2 ribbed edges.
  
• If you use garter stitch, textured stitches, cables, or colorwork, add +10–30%.
  
• If you knit with an openwork stitch, you can subtract 10%.
• Tension: medium, neither tight nor loose.
• Cardigan length: mid-thigh.
• A 10–15% allowance has been added for seams, edges, or minor variations.

Approximate gram table for a men's sweater knitted with needles (knitting) by size and weight

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

	Men's Sweater
Category weight	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

 

Notes:

• The amounts in the table are calculated for stockinette stitch, with 1x1 or 2x2 ribbed edges.
  
• If you use garter stitch, textured stitches, cables, or colorwork, add +10–30%.
• If you knit with an openwork stitch, you can subtract 10%.
  
• Tension: medium, neither tight nor loose.
• Sweater length: hip-length.
• A 10–15% allowance has been added for seams, edges, or minor variations.

In summary

• For a women's size M crocheted sweater, allow for between 500 and 650 g, depending on the type of yarn.
• For the same knitted sweater, you will need between 400 and 550 g.
• Yarn weight category (from 0 to 7) makes a difference: the thicker the yarn, the more weight you will need, but the fewer yarn balls.
• And remember: always consult the manufacturer's gauge swatch before calculating.