How much yarn do I need for a blanket?
A 50 × 60 in knitted throw in worsted takes about 2,700 yards. Use the calculator for your exact size, yarn and stitch, or check the charts below.
Updated
Knitted blanket yardage chart
Stockinette or similar plain fabric, with no extra added. Garter stitch and ribbing use about 15% more, and cables about 25% more.
| Size | DK | Worsted | Bulky | Super bulky |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lovey / security 12 × 12 in | 150 yd 140 m | 130 yd 120 m | 85 yd 80 m | 60 yd 55 m |
| Baby stroller 30 × 35 in | 1,100 yd 1,000 m | 950 yd 860 m | 630 yd 580 m | 420 yd 380 m |
| Receiving 36 × 36 in | 1,350 yd 1,250 m | 1,150 yd 1,050 m | 780 yd 710 m | 520 yd 470 m |
| Crib 45 × 60 in | 2,850 yd 2,600 m | 2,450 yd 2,200 m | 1,600 yd 1,500 m | 1,100 yd 990 m |
| Throw / lap 50 × 60 in | 3,150 yd 2,900 m | 2,700 yd 2,450 m | 1,800 yd 1,650 m | 1,200 yd 1,100 m |
| Twin 66 × 90 in | 6,250 yd 5,700 m | 5,350 yd 4,900 m | 3,550 yd 3,250 m | 2,400 yd 2,150 m |
| Full / double 80 × 90 in | 7,550 yd 6,900 m | 6,500 yd 5,950 m | 4,300 yd 3,950 m | 2,900 yd 2,650 m |
| Queen 90 × 100 in | 9,450 yd 8,650 m | 8,100 yd 7,400 m | 5,400 yd 4,950 m | 3,600 yd 3,300 m |
| King 108 × 100 in | 11,350 yd 10,350 m | 9,700 yd 8,900 m | 6,500 yd 5,950 m | 4,300 yd 3,950 m |
Crochet blanket yardage chart
Half double or double crochet. Single crochet uses about 12% more than this, and open stitches such as granny clusters about 15% less.
| Size | DK | Worsted | Bulky | Super bulky |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lovey / security 12 × 12 in | 190 yd 175 m | 160 yd 150 m | 110 yd 100 m | 70 yd 65 m |
| Baby stroller 30 × 35 in | 1,400 yd 1,250 m | 1,200 yd 1,100 m | 790 yd 720 m | 530 yd 480 m |
| Receiving 36 × 36 in | 1,700 yd 1,550 m | 1,450 yd 1,350 m | 970 yd 890 m | 650 yd 590 m |
| Crib 45 × 60 in | 3,550 yd 3,250 m | 3,050 yd 2,800 m | 2,050 yd 1,850 m | 1,350 yd 1,250 m |
| Throw / lap 50 × 60 in | 3,950 yd 3,600 m | 3,400 yd 3,100 m | 2,250 yd 2,050 m | 1,500 yd 1,350 m |
| Twin 66 × 90 in | 7,800 yd 7,150 m | 6,700 yd 6,100 m | 4,450 yd 4,050 m | 2,950 yd 2,700 m |
| Full / double 80 × 90 in | 9,450 yd 8,650 m | 8,100 yd 7,400 m | 5,400 yd 4,950 m | 3,600 yd 3,300 m |
| Queen 90 × 100 in | 11,800 yd 10,800 m | 10,150 yd 9,250 m | 6,750 yd 6,150 m | 4,500 yd 4,100 m |
| King 108 × 100 in | 14,200 yd 12,950 m | 12,150 yd 11,100 m | 8,100 yd 7,400 m | 5,400 yd 4,950 m |
What changes how much yarn a blanket needs
- Yarn weight. Thicker yarn covers more area per yard. A bulky throw needs roughly a third less yardage than a worsted one, though it weighs more.
- Stitch pattern. Dense and textured stitches (moss, waffle, bobbles, cables) eat yarn. Lace and mesh stitches save it.
- Borders. A 2 in / 5 cm border adds about 10% to a throw and more to a small baby blanket. The calculator's 10% extra usually covers a simple border.
- Your tension. Loose makers use slightly less yarn per square inch. Tight makers use more. A swatch tells you which you are.
Standard blanket sizes
Sizes vary by country and by mattress. The chart uses common finished sizes: crib 45 × 60 in (115 × 150 cm), throw 50 × 60 in (125 × 150 cm) and queen 90 × 100 in (230 × 255 cm). For a bed blanket, measure the top of the mattress and add the overhang you want on each side.
Common questions
How many skeins of yarn do I need for a throw blanket?
A 50 × 60 in knitted throw in worsted needs about 2,700 yards: 15 skeins of 200 yd once you add 10% extra. In bulky yarn, it is about 17 skeins of 120 yd.
How much yarn for a crochet blanket?
Crochet uses about 25% more than knitting. A 50 × 60 in crochet throw in worsted and double crochet needs roughly 3,400 yards.
How much yarn for a baby blanket?
A 30 × 35 in stroller blanket in DK needs around 1,100 yards. A larger 45 × 60 in crib blanket needs about 2,850 yards in DK.
Does a granny square blanket use more yarn?
Granny squares are open, so they use slightly less than solid double crochet. The many colour changes and joins add it back, though. Use the crochet “open” stitch option and add 15% extra.