How to Calculate the Amount of Cashmere for a Knitting Project – Part II: Scarves and Stoles

Before reading today's post, I recommend you read this (it's the first part of the topic I'll be discussing below). You've probably already noticed that the yardage of the yarn is much more important than its weight. When someone asks me, "how much wool do I need to buy to make a scarf?", I don't know how to answer. It all depends on the type of wool, especially the grist of the yarn. A 50-gram ball could have approximately 30 to 300 meters in length. The 30-meter one will be very thick, the 300-meter one very thin. In this post, I want to help you by simplifying the calculations. The table below approximately indicates how many stitches are in a 10 cm stockinette stitch swatch and how many meters of yarn will be needed to make a scarf or a stole. I remind you that these numbers represent an average: those who knit tightly will have more stitches, while those who knit loosely might have fewer.

Approximate number of stitches in 10 cm (stockinette stitch)	Small scarf 15 x 100 cm (approx)	Large scarf 25 x 140 cm (approx)	Stole 50 x 280 cm (approx)
12	104 meters	243 meters	486 meters
16	148 meters	344 meters	688 meters
20	186 meters	434 meters	868 meters
24	264 meters	614 meters	1228 meters
28	290 meters	676 meters	1352 meters

 

Needle size	Approximate number of stitches / 10 cm swatch (stockinette stitch)
2.25 – 3.25	31 – 26
3.25 – 3.75	25 – 28
3.75 – 4.5	28 – 20
4.5 – 5.5	20 – 16
5.5 – 8	15 – 12

Of course, this calculation will need to be adjusted as it is based on a stockinette stitch swatch. Scarves and stoles are usually made with more elaborate stitches that require more yarn. So if you choose more complex patterns (for example, cables or brioche stitch), you will need to add 10 – 15% more yarn. By visiting the Hircus Filati website, you will find information regarding the yardage of the yarn that is for sale. I hope that it will now be easier to make a decision about your purchase. I know what you'd like to ask me: "And if instead of a scarf I wanted to make a hat, or gloves, or a sweater, how much cashmere would I need?" I'll tell you about that in upcoming posts. In the meantime, I want to return to scarves. The Christmas holiday season and gift-giving are approaching. How many people don't know what to get a man??? Oh, indeed, it's not easy. It's definitely easier to choose a gift for a woman :-). I suggest a classic item, which will be very precious: a cashmere scarf (pure or blended) made by you. Whoever wears it will surely appreciate it. It's not easy to find an original pattern for a men's scarf. Usually, various rib stitches, garter stitch, sometimes seed stitch are used... I propose two patterns, one easy for beginners and the other a bit more complex to execute. If you want to add a touch of elegance, knit the edges in tubular stitch (see swatches below). Swatch 1 is made of garter stitch strips (knit stitches) alternating with garter stitch strips (purl stitches). The number of stitches to cast on must be divisible by 20 + 10 (for the last strip) + 6 (for 2 tubular edges). 1 strip of 10 garter stitches is approximately 5 cm (needles number 4 – 4.5). Row 1: k3, *k10, p10*, repeat from * to *, k13 Row 2: p3, *k10, p10*, repeat from * to *, k10, slip the last 3 stitches onto the right needle without working, leaving the yarn in front Row 3: k3, *k10, p10*, repeat from * to *, k10, slip the last 3 stitches onto the right needle without working, leaving the yarn in back Row 4: p3, *k10, p10*, repeat from * to *, k10, slip the last 3 stitches onto the right needle without working, leaving the yarn in front Repeat rows 3 and 4. Swatch 2 is made of garter stitch strips (knit stitches) alternating with English rib strips. Cast on 40 stitches (needles number 4 – 4.5) Row 1: k3, * 8-stitch garter stitch strip (= k8), k1, p1, k1, p1, k1,* repeat from * to *, 8-stitch garter stitch strip (= k8), k3. Row 2: p3, * 8-stitch garter stitch strip (= k8), p1, k1, p1, k1, p1,* repeat from * to *, 8-stitch garter stitch strip (= k8), tubular edge (slip the last 3 stitches onto the left needle without working, leaving the yarn in front). Row 3: tubular edge (k3), * 8-stitch garter stitch strip (= k8), 5-stitch English rib strip (= knit all knit stitches (3) by inserting the needle into the knit stitch below the one on the needle, purl stitches are purled)*, repeat from * to *, 8-stitch garter stitch strip (= k8), tubular edge (slip the last 3 stitches onto the left needle without working, leaving the yarn in back). Row 4: tubular edge (p3), *8-stitch garter stitch strip (= k8), 5-stitch English rib strip (= knit all knit stitches (2) by inserting the needle into the knit stitch below the one on the needle, purl stitches are purled)*, repeat from * to *, 8-stitch garter stitch strip (= k8), tubular edge (slip the last 3 stitches onto the left needle without working, leaving the yarn in front). Repeat rows 3 and 4 until the desired length is reached. I hope this post will help you calculate the amount of cashmere needed to create a beautiful scarf. Happy knitting and... see you next time! Alicja Kwartnik for Hircus Filati