Crochet vs Knitting Yarn Calculator
A knitting pattern calling for 500 g, worked to the same size in crochet at the 33% figure, wants 665 g — 165 g more, over three extra 50 g balls. Each crochet stitch takes more wraps of yarn to make, and crochet fabric is thicker and denser, so more yarn goes into the same square metre.
Your numbers
Yarn if crocheted
665g
Extra yarn
165g
Formula
Yarn if crocheted = Yarn if knitted × (1 + Extra crochet takes ÷ 100)
33% is the middle of the range and the stitch decides where you land. Dense single crochet runs 40–50% more, while open double crochet or granny patterns stop at 20–25%, because the holes between the clusters replace yarn. Filet crochet, half of which is holes, can even come out under the knitted figure. If it has to be exact, work the same swatch both ways and weigh them. And this answer is a weight: convert it to balls using the metres per 100 g on the band, not by counting balls directly.
What to enter
| Input | Default | Accepted range |
|---|---|---|
| Yarn if knitted (g)Yarn weight the same piece takes knitted — the figure printed on the pattern. | 500 | 0 and up |
| Extra crochet takes (%)How much more crochet takes; dense single crochet reaches 40–50%. | 33 | 0 ~ 100 |
Step by step
Quick reference table
Results when only Yarn if knitted (g) changes and everything else stays put.
| Yarn if knitted (g) | Yarn if crocheted (g) | Extra yarn (g) |
|---|---|---|
| 250 | 333 | 83 |
| 375 | 499 | 124 |
| 500 | 665 | 165 |
| 750 | 998 | 248 |
| 1,000 | 1,330 | 330 |
What each result means
| Result | At default values |
|---|---|
| Yarn if crocheted (g)Yarn weight crocheted; divide by the band's metres to turn it into balls. | 665 |
| Extra yarn (g)Extra yarn to buy over the knitted version, usually a few balls' worth. | 165 |
Common mistakes
33% is the middle of the range and the stitch decides where you land. Dense single crochet runs 40–50% more, while open double crochet or granny patterns stop at 20–25%, because the holes between the clusters replace yarn. Filet crochet, half of which is holes, can even come out under the knitted figure. If it has to be exact, work the same swatch both ways and weigh them. And this answer is a weight: convert it to balls using the metres per 100 g on the band, not by counting balls directly.
Glossary
- Yarn if knitted
- Yarn weight the same piece takes knitted — the figure printed on the pattern.
- Extra crochet takes
- How much more crochet takes; dense single crochet reaches 40–50%.
- Yarn if crocheted
- Yarn weight crocheted; divide by the band's metres to turn it into balls.
- Extra yarn
- Extra yarn to buy over the knitted version, usually a few balls' worth.
Frequently asked questions
Q. How is Crochet vs Knitting Yarn Calculator calculated?
Yarn if crocheted = Yarn if knitted × (1 + Extra crochet takes ÷ 100) — A knitting pattern calling for 500 g, worked to the same size in crochet at the 33% figure, wants 665 g — 165 g more, over three extra 50 g balls. Each crochet stitch takes more wraps of yarn to make, and crochet fabric is thicker and denser, so more yarn goes into the same square metre.
Q. Can you walk through an example?
With Yarn if knitted 500g, Extra crochet takes 33%, the answer is Yarn if crocheted 665g.
Q. What do I need to enter?
Enter Yarn if knitted, Extra crochet takes. The result recalculates as you type, and an empty box counts as zero.
Q. How much does the answer move if I change a number?
Changing only Yarn if knitted (g) moves the answer to Yarn if knitted (g) 250 → Yarn if crocheted (g) 333 and Yarn if knitted (g) 1,000 → Yarn if crocheted (g) 1,330. The table below lays out five steps.
Q. How are the numbers rounded?
Money is shown to the nearest whole unit, percentages to one decimal place and everything else to two. What you see is rounded; the calculation itself carries the unrounded value forward.
Q. Anything to watch out for?
33% is the middle of the range and the stitch decides where you land. Dense single crochet runs 40–50% more, while open double crochet or granny patterns stop at 20–25%, because the holes between the clusters replace yarn. Filet crochet, half of which is holes, can even come out under the knitted figure. If it has to be exact, work the same swatch both ways and weigh them. And this answer is a weight: convert it to balls using the metres per 100 g on the band, not by counting balls directly.
Related calculators
Materials differ in density and absorption. If your label states a figure, use it — the defaults here are only common values.