"Made by me"
Knitting is a great hobby that allows you to express your creativity. It is not only relaxing, but also gives you a sense of pride and satisfaction when you create something beautiful with your own hands. You can create unique garments and accessories, exactly as you want them, in your favorite colors and materials.
When you knit, it is important to use the right amount of knitting wool so that you do not run out of wool halfway through. The amount of knitting wool you need depends on several factors, such as the pattern, size, needle size used and type of wool.
Here are some general guidelines you can follow:
1. Look at the pattern
The pattern you use is often the best source for determining the amount of wool you need. Most patterns will tell you how many grams of wool you need, depending on the size of the sweater.
2. Wool type and thickness
The thickness of the wool has a big impact on the amount you need. Thin wool (e.g. sock yarn) needs more length to make a sweater than thicker wool (e.g. worsted or chunky yarn). Here are some guidelines:
- Thin wool (e.g. lace or sports weight) : for an average size sweater (M) you will need approximately 800 to 1200 grams of wool.
- Medium weight wool (e.g. worsted weight) : for an average size sweater you usually need between 600 and 900 grams of wool.
- Thick wool (e.g. chunky) : for an average size sweater you can count on about 500 to 700 grams.
3. Size of the sweater
The larger the size, the more wool you will need. Here is a rough estimate for different sizes (for worsted weight yarn):
- S (small size) : approximately 600–700 grams
- M (medium size) : approximately 700–800 grams
- L (large size) : approximately 800–900 grams
- XL (extra large size) : approximately 900–1000 grams
4. Knit a test piece
It is always a good idea to knit a swatch before you start your sweater. This will help you determine how many stitches and rows you are making per 10 cm., and whether your knitting needle size is correct. If your knitting is much larger or smaller than the pattern, this can affect the amount of wool you need.
5. Extra wool for safety
It is always good to have a little more yarn on hand than the pattern recommends, especially if you are working with a color that may not be easy to find exactly the same (for example, if you need extra yarn later for a sleeve or for sewing the pieces together). An extra ball or two of extra yarn is usually not a bad idea.
Summary:
- What kind of pattern are you using?
- What kind of wool do you use (thin, medium or thick wool)?
- For an average sized sweater, count on 600–1000 grams per size.
- Knit a test swatch to check whether your knitting is the correct size.
- Make sure you have a little extra wool to avoid running out.
By following these guidelines, you can estimate the right amount of wool for your sweater and keep your knitting going smoothly!
Have fun knitting!
