How to calculate the yarn consumption for machine knitting

I am often asked how much yarn is needed to make a knitted garment of a certain size, etc. Calculating consumption is not simple; it is necessary to make a sample to calculate it exactly. However, experience and some tricks can be used to get as close as possible to the yarn weight needed to make a knitted garment. Below I detail the consumption when machine knitting on the main gauges normally used, based on my experience: If working on a 12 gauge knitting machine for men 250 to 300 gr for women 150 to 200 gr (a little more for larger sizes) If working on a 7-8 gauge machine for men 340 to 400 gr for women 250 to 320 gr If working on a 5 gauge machine for men 450 to 700 gr for women 350 to 600 gr If working on an 18 gauge machine for men 150 to 200 gr or a little more for women 100 to 150 gr or a little more The consumption figures are indicative, as I mentioned, based on my over 15 years of industrial knitwear production experience on Shima electronic machines. Consumption varies depending on the type of stitch to be made, the type of knitting machine to be used, and other factors. It is always essential to make a sample and wash it to calculate consumption more precisely before undertaking the final work. Of course, I understand that those who produce custom-made sweaters or unique garments cannot make an entire sweater as a sample, but in these cases, it is sufficient to make a small swatch and measure it before and after washing to determine consumption, which will always be approximate but very close to the final weight of the garment. florencecashmereyarn.com