How much wool do I need to knit a blanket?

October 11, 2025

If you're thinking about knitting a blanket, one of the first questions that arises is how much yarn you'll need . The answer depends on the type of yarn, the thickness of the yarn, the stitch you choose, and the final size of the blanket . In this article, we'll help you easily calculate how much yarn you need so you don't end up short (or overdoing it).

Factors influencing the amount of wool

Before looking at the approximate quantities, keep in mind that each blanket is unique. These are the main factors that influence wool consumption :

1. Blanket size

A small throw for the couch isn't the same as a bedspread. As the size increases, you'll need more balls of yarn.

2. Thread thickness

Thicker yarns (Bulky, Super Bulky, etc.) cover more surface area with fewer stitches . On the other hand, thinner yarns (Fingering, Sport, DK, etc.) require more meters of yarn for the same size.

3. Stitch or type of fabric

Some stitches “consume” more wool than others.
For example:

Garter stitch or chickpea stitch: tighter stitches → more wool.
Stockinette stitch or lace stitch: lighter → less wool.

4. Needles or crochet hook

The larger the needles or crochet hook, the looser the stitch will be, and the less yarn you will use .

Indicative quantities according to the type of wool

Below we leave you a practical guide with the quantities of wool needed to knit a blanket , depending on the type of yarn and size you choose 👇

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 blanket?

Crochet creates a denser structure and uses slightly more fiber than knitting.
The indicative quantities for blankets are calculated for medium knit , with medium tension , and woven 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.

	Blankets
Category thick	Baby blanket 70x90 cm	Plaid sofa 120x150 cm	Large blanket 150x200 cm
(0) Lace	300	700	1100
(1) Fingering	350	800	1300
(2) Sport	400	950	1500
(3) DK	450	1050	1700
(4) Worsted	550	1200	1900
(5) Bulky	650	1400	2200
(6) Super Bulky	750	1600	2500
(7) Jumbo	900	1900	3000

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.