How Much Yarn Do I Need?

For years I would find a great bargain and buy some skeins of yarn only to find when I wanted to use it for a particular project I didn't have enough to complete the project. I tried to carry a small card with the amounts I needed for some of my favorite patterns but couldn't make the adjustments (instant mathematics required) if the yarn size varied in how many stitches per inch it made. So even though I tried to be prepared when I found a good buy on yarn, I still either came up far too short or bought way too much.

A constant companion in my purse

Then I found Ann Budd's Yarn Requirements brochure. This thing contains help in determining how much yarn to get for mittens, gloves, socks, tams, scarves, hats, sweaters and vests. Sizes of the finished project range from 2 years old to adult and, if you are someone who needs to be able to buy in either meters and yards, this guide has you covered. Finally it includes gauges that range from 3-7 stitches per inch.

As you can see, this particular leaflet is well worn because I never leave home without it. I never know when or where I'll find that perfect yarn. Not all trips are yarn related, but often they can become that. (I can end up in Zellers, a dollar store, Walmart or one of my LYS about any time I'm out.) Back to the main topic; this guide is about 4 years old now, and I'd say it looks pretty good for its age.

Thanks Ann Budd for coming to my aid. I've always purchased the right amount of yarn for a project ever since I started using your yarn yardage requirement guide.

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