How to calculate the right amount of cashmere yarn for any knitting project – Part III: sweaters

Before reading today’s post, please read this (it’s the introductory part of what I am covering in what follows). In Part II I gave some indications on how to calculate the amount of cashmere needed to make scarves and shawls.

Today I’ll cover sweaters.

Our starting point (the base to calculate the amount of cashmere) will be a classic design—a basic jumper, knitted in stocking stitch. If you wish to use more intricate stitches, cable, slipped stitche, crossed stitch, etc., please allow for greater quantities of yarn. As I have mentioned in my previous posts, yarn thickness is actually more important than weight. If the yarn is fine, it weighs less and yields more; on the contrary, if the yarn is thicker, it will weigh more and yield less. If you know how many meters of cashmere or wool you need to knit a sweater, you’ll be able to establish its weight.

The tables below show approximate number of stitches in a 10 cm stocking stitch sample and the corresponding length in meters of yarn needed to knit a sweater in a given size. Please remember the figures below are valid on average: tight knitters will need more stitches than loose knitters. Children : chest measurement (finished sweater)

Approximate number of stitches in a 10 cm stocking stitch sample	66 cm (2 yrs)	71 cm (4 yrs)	76 cm (6 yrs)	81,5 cm (8 yrs)	86,5 cm (10 yrs)
12	297 m	369 m	442 m	505 m	580 m
16	421 m	523 m	627 m	716 m	822 m
20	532 m	660 m	791 m	904 m	1038 m
24	753 m	934 m	1120 m	1279 m	1469 m
28	829 m	1028 m	1233 m	1408 m	1617 m

Adults : chest measurement (finished sweater)

Approximate number of stitches in a 10 cm stocking stitch sample	91.5 cm	96.5 cm	101.5 cm	106.5 cm	112 cm	117 cm	122 cm	127 cm	132 cm
12	657 m	704 m	753 m	801 m	853 m	927 m	994 m	1049 m	1125 m
16	931 m	998 m	1069 m	1136 m	1210 m	1315 m	1410 m	1488 m	1595 m
20	1175 m	1259 m	1349 m	1434 m	1527 m	1660 m	1780 m	1878 m	2013 m
24	1664 m	1783 m	1909 m	2030 m	2161 m	2350 m	2520 m	2659 m	2850 m
28	1832 m	1962 m	2102 m	2235 m	2380 m	2587 m	2774 m	2927 m	3138 m

knitting needle size	Approximate number of stitches in a 10 cm stocking stitch sample
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

here is a practical example:

Step 1: Take one of your favourite sweaters and measure its width (at the chest); let’s say it’s 49 cm. Multiply the number by 2 to obtain the full measurement: 49 cm x 2 = 98 cm. Since the number 98 isn’t shown in the table as the chest measurement, you’ll have to choose between 96.5 e 101.5. I would pick 101,5, as I believe it’s best to have a little more than a little less :-).

Step 2: Choose knitting needles you feel comfortable with that work well with the type of yarn you are interested in. I would look for yarn to work with 4/4,5 needles, my favourites, as the knitting is neither too tight nor too loose.

Step 3: Look for the corresponding metres of yarn you’ll need.

Step 4: Browse through Hircus Filati site and check the Cashmere and selected yarns. For each yarn you’ll find all the relevant information (thickness, needle size, weight and length in metres).

Step 5: Send your order :-). I hope this post helps you calcutate the cashmere quantity needed to knit a beautiful sweater, even if it’s always an approximation.

I suggest you visit Hircus Filati frequently to make sure you don’t miss out on special discounts and sales.

Yarns are not the only items on sale; in fact you can find classic and  elegant clothing garments and accessories in cashmere and exclusive yarns at very special prices.

Enjoy your project … till next time!

Alicja Kwartnik for Hircus Filati