How to calculate the right amount of cashmere yarn for any knitting project – Part IV: gloves, hats and socks

Recently I have posted lessons on how to estimate the right amount of yarn for different knitting projects.

Namely:

Part I: General Information and one practical example

Part II: Scarves and shawls

Part III: Sweaters

Today I would like to conclude the subject by speaking about gloves, hats and socks. I am sure that the same thing happens to all of us who work with knitting needles or crochet hooks: after a while our homes are full of  leftover wool and different yarns which aren’t enough to finish a new project.

We dare not throw them out, but often don’t know what to do with them, and how to use them up. A cashmere ball could be used to make a nice hat, but what if I start it and then find it isn’t enough? If you bought the yarn from Hircus Filati, you’ll know that it’s impossible to find the same one from the same dye.

The yarns on sale come from stocks of some of the best spinning factories in Italy: in small batches and an ongoing turnover. Real bargains: high quality for low prices.

To go back to the subject of today’s post: how can I know whether the amount of yarn I have at hand is enough is make some small accessory?

First of all, my suggestion is whenever you buy yarn, take note of its thickness and the suggested needle size (can be found on the Hircus Filati website). Put together with a few metres of yarn or, even better, a small sample.

This will be very helpful when you want to use up your leftovers.

All you’ll need to do is weigh the ball and calculate the length of the yarn. For example: the yarn I had originally bought weighed 500 gr and was 1750 mt long.

I’m left with a ball that weighs 95 gr. I calculate it as follows: (1750 m x 95 gr) : 500 = 332,5 m Now, knowing the length in metres I can actually choose what kind of accessory to make.

Remember that if you purchased the yarn in cones, you’ll need to treat it for care and use.

Following you’ll find the tables with the information about the length of yarn needed to make gloves, hats and socks. As I have already explained in my previous posts on the subject, bear in mind that the figures are approximate calculations based on stocking stitch. Depending on how you knit (tightly or loosely) and the type of stitches you use, you might need to adjust the quantities of yarn.

Gloves

Approximate number of stitches in a 10 cm stocking stitch sample	hand width: 18 cm	hand width: 19 cm	hand width: 20,5 cm	hand width: 21,5 cm	hand width: 23 cm
20	101 m	120 m	141 m	161 m	181 m
4	143 m	169 m	199 m	227 m	256 m
28	158 m	186 m	219 m	250 m	282 m
31	173 m	205 m	241 m	275 m	310 m
5	190 m	225 m	264 m	302 m	340 m

Hats

 

Approximate number of stitches in a 10 cm stocking stitch sample	head size 42 cm (0-6 months)	head size  47 cm (6-18 months)	head size  51 cm (18 months – 4 yrs)	head size  53.5 cm adults S	head size  58.5 cm adults M-L
16	61 m	88 m	114 m	139 m	170 m
20	77 m	112 m	144 m	175 m	214 m
24	109 m	158 m	203 m	248 m	303 m
28	120 m	174 m	224 m	273 m	334 m
31	132 m	191 m	246 m	300 m	367 m
35	145 m	210 m	270 m	330 m	403 m

Socks

Approximate number of stitches in a 10 cm stocking stitch sample	child 2 – 8 yrs	lady’s S	lady’s M – L	men’s S	men’s M – L
20	88 – 126 m	172 m	205 – 231 m	255 m	284 – 318 m
24	124 – 179 m	243 m	290 – 327 m	361 m	401 – 450 m
28	137 – 197 m	268 m	319 – 360 m	397 m	442 – 495 m
31	150 – 216 m	294 m	351 – 395 m	437 m	486 – 545 m
35	165 – 238 m	323 m	386 – 434 m	480 m	534 – 598 m

I am convinced that, even though it is very general, these estimates, can be a sound starting point to embark on knitting accessories as you have a rough idea of the amount of yarn needed.

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

I hope this information comes in handy to finish up your leftover yarn, whether cashmere or other exclusive wool bought at Hircus Filati. Please feel free to check my next post on combining different yarns.

See you soon, Alicja Kwartnik per Hircus Filati