How Much Yarn for a Blanket? (Yardage Chart by Size & Weight)
Quick answer: A throw blanket (50" x 60") in worsted weight needs roughly 2,500–3,000 yards of yarn. A baby blanket takes 800–1,200 yards. A king-size bedspread needs 6,000–8,000+ yards. The exact amount depends on blanket size, yarn weight, and stitch pattern. Full charts below. Skip the math with the yarn yardage calculator.
I ran out of yarn on my first blanket with 8 inches left to finish. Same dye lot, discontinued. That border is a slightly different shade of blue and it haunts me every time I sit on the couch. Buy extra. Always buy extra.
The yardage charts below are based on stockinette stitch for knitting and single crochet for crochet. Cables, lace, brioche, and textured stitches all change the math — I'll cover those adjustments too.
Blanket Yarn Yardage Chart (By Size and Weight)
This is the chart I actually use. All yardage estimates assume a standard gauge for each weight in stockinette or single crochet. Your actual needs depend on your gauge, but these numbers get you within 10% for most projects.
| Blanket Size | Dimensions | Fingering (#1) | DK (#3) | Worsted (#4) | Bulky (#5) | Super Bulky (#6) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lovey | 12" x 12" | 200 yds | 120 yds | 90 yds | 60 yds | 40 yds |
| Baby | 30" x 36" | 1,800 yds | 1,100 yds | 900 yds | 600 yds | 400 yds |
| Stroller | 30" x 40" | 2,000 yds | 1,250 yds | 1,000 yds | 700 yds | 450 yds |
| Throw | 50" x 60" | 5,000 yds | 3,100 yds | 2,500 yds | 1,700 yds | 1,100 yds |
| Twin | 66" x 90" | 9,900 yds | 6,100 yds | 4,900 yds | 3,300 yds | 2,100 yds |
| Full/Double | 80" x 90" | 12,000 yds | 7,400 yds | 5,900 yds | 4,000 yds | 2,600 yds |
| Queen | 90" x 100" | 15,000 yds | 9,200 yds | 7,400 yds | 5,000 yds | 3,200 yds |
| King | 108" x 100" | 18,000 yds | 11,100 yds | 8,900 yds | 6,000 yds | 3,900 yds |
Notice how dramatically the numbers change with yarn weight. That same queen blanket drops from 7,400 yards in worsted to 3,200 in super bulky — less than half the yardage. But super bulky yarn gives you fewer yards per skein, so the skein count doesn't shrink as much as you'd hope.
How to Convert Yardage to Skeins
Yarn is sold by the skein, ball, or hank — and the yardage per unit varies by brand, fiber, and weight. Here's a typical yardage range for standard 100g skeins:
| Yarn Weight | Yards per 100g Skein |
|---|---|
| Fingering (#1) | 350–450 yds |
| Sport (#2) | 250–350 yds |
| DK (#3) | 200–280 yds |
| Worsted (#4) | 180–220 yds |
| Bulky (#5) | 100–150 yds |
| Super Bulky (#6) | 50–100 yds |
For a throw blanket (2,500 yards) in worsted (200 yds/skein): 2,500 / 200 = 12.5 → buy 13 skeins. Then add 1–2 more for safety. So 14–15 skeins.
I always round up and then add 10%. Running out mid-project with a discontinued dye lot is the worst possible outcome. Leftover yarn becomes hat and sock yarn. It never goes to waste.
Yarn Needed by Stitch Pattern
The base chart assumes stockinette (knit) or single crochet. Textured stitches eat more yarn because they create denser, thicker fabric. Here's how much more you need:
| Stitch Pattern | Yarn Adjustment |
|---|---|
| Stockinette / Single Crochet | Baseline (0% extra) |
| Garter stitch | +5–10% |
| Seed / moss stitch | +10–15% |
| Ribbing (1x1 or 2x2) | +10–15% |
| Cables | +15–25% |
| Brioche | +30–40% |
| Double crochet | -10–15% (uses less) |
| Granny squares | +10–20% (seaming + ends) |
Cables pull the fabric inward, making it narrower than the same stitch count in stockinette. You need more stitches to hit the same width, which means more yarn. A heavily cabled blanket can use 25% more than the chart suggests.
Granny squares have hidden yarn costs: weaving in ends and joining squares adds 10–20% on top of the stitching itself. Multiply by 48 or 63 squares and those tails add up.
Blanket Size Guide
Not sure what size to make? Here are the standard dimensions used in the chart above, plus some context on when each size works.
| Blanket Type | Dimensions | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Lovey | 12" x 12" | Security blanket for infants |
| Baby | 30" x 36" | Car seats, cribs, tummy time |
| Stroller | 30" x 40" | Strollers, toddler naps |
| Throw | 50" x 60" | Couch, one person |
| Twin | 66" x 90" | Twin bed with 10" drop |
| Full/Double | 80" x 90" | Full bed with 10" drop |
| Queen | 90" x 100" | Queen bed with 12" drop |
| King | 108" x 100" | King bed with 12" drop |
For a couch throw, 50" x 60" is the sweet spot. Big enough to wrap up in, small enough to drape neatly when not in use. I've made larger throws and they end up bunched on the floor because nobody folds them back up.
For crochet-specific blanket sizing, check the crochet blanket sizes guide. It includes stitch counts for each standard size.
Best Yarn Weights for Blankets
Not all weights are equally practical for blankets. Here's my honest take after making over a dozen.
Super bulky (#6) — fastest, most expensive per square inch. A throw knits up in 2–3 days on big needles. The fabric is warm and squishy. But it's heavy — a queen-size super bulky blanket weighs 8–10 pounds, which is fine if you want a weighted blanket effect and uncomfortable if you don't. Also, super bulky yarn typically costs more per yard, so "fewer skeins" doesn't always mean "cheaper project."
Worsted (#4) — the practical choice. Most blanket patterns are written for worsted. It's widely available, reasonably priced, comes in every color, and creates a fabric that's warm without being heavy. A throw takes 2–4 weeks of regular knitting. This is the weight I recommend for your first blanket.
DK (#3) — lighter, drapier, slower. DK makes a blanket that drapes beautifully over furniture. Less bulky, more refined looking. But a throw takes 4–6 weeks, and the yardage is higher. Good for baby blankets where you want a softer, lighter fabric.
Fingering (#1) — don't do this to yourself. A fingering-weight throw takes 5,000 yards and months of work. The result is stunning — thin, drapey, almost woven-looking. But unless you're an experienced knitter who genuinely enjoys marathon projects, you'll abandon it around the halfway mark.
How to Calculate Yardage for Custom Sizes
If your blanket doesn't match the standard sizes, here's the formula.
Step 1: Knit a gauge swatch in your chosen yarn and pattern stitch. Measure stitches per inch and rows per inch.
Step 2: Calculate total stitches. Width in inches x stitches per inch = cast-on stitches. Height in inches x rows per inch = total rows.
Step 3: Measure how much yarn one row uses. Knit 10 rows, then measure the yarn consumed (unravel one row and measure the length). Divide by 10 for per-row yardage.
Step 4: Per-row yardage x total rows = total yardage needed.
Step 5: Add 10–15% for safety.
Or skip all of that and plug your numbers into the yarn yardage calculator. It runs the same math with less effort.
FAQ
How much yarn do I need for a chunky throw blanket?
A standard 50" x 60" throw in super bulky (#6) yarn needs about 1,100 yards. In bulky (#5), roughly 1,700 yards. For a chunky arm-knit blanket using jumbo (#7) roving, expect 250–350 yards, but that yarn runs $15–25 per skein at 30–40 yards each — so 8–12 skeins at $120–250 total.
Should I buy all my yarn at once?
Yes. Dye lots vary between production batches, and the color difference between lots can be visible in a finished blanket. Buy all your yarn from the same dye lot. If you can't get enough from one lot, alternate skeins from different lots every few rows so the color shift is gradual rather than a sudden line across your blanket.
How do I estimate yarn for a crochet blanket vs a knit blanket?
Crochet generally uses 20–30% more yarn than knitting for the same blanket size. Single crochet uses the most — roughly 25–30% more than stockinette. Double crochet uses about 10–15% less than single crochet. The chart above works for both crafts with those adjustments. See the full crochet blanket sizes guide for crochet-specific numbers.
What if I run out of yarn mid-project?
Check the dye lot on your label and call the store where you bought it — they may have more from the same lot in stock. If not, try Ravelry's destash section or eBay for discontinued yarn. As a last resort, use a different lot and alternate rows of old and new yarn for 6–8 inches to blend the transition. This works surprisingly well for solid colors.
Is acrylic or wool better for blankets?
Acrylic is cheaper, machine washable, and comes in every color. Wool is warmer, more breathable, and ages better. For a baby blanket or everyday throw that gets washed weekly, acrylic (or a superwash wool) is practical. For a heirloom blanket, wool or a wool-blend feels and looks better over years of use. Cotton is a third option — it's heavy but breathable, ideal for summer blankets.
Next Steps
- Run your exact dimensions through the yarn yardage calculator for a precise skein count.
- Check the crochet blanket size guide if you're crocheting — it includes stitch counts by hook size.
- Read the yarn weight chart to understand how weight affects yardage, gauge, and project speed.