Knitting Colorwork Yarn Calculator
Created by: Ethan Brooks
Last updated:
Estimate how much yarn you need for each color in Fair Isle or intarsia projects. Enter your total yardage, set color percentages, and get per-color breakdowns with float overhead and buffer included.
Knitting Colorwork Yarn Calculator
KnittingEstimate yarn per color for stranded or intarsia projects
Project Details
Color Percentages
Estimate what percentage of stitches each color covers. Should total 100%.
Total: 100%
Yarn Details
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What is a Colorwork Yarn Calculator?
A Colorwork Yarn Calculator estimates how much yarn you need for each color in stranded (Fair Isle) or intarsia knitting projects. It accounts for floats, color percentages, and the extra yarn colorwork requires.
Running out of one color mid-project is frustrating, especially with hand-dyed or limited-edition yarns. This calculator helps you plan purchases accurately so every color is covered.
Colorwork Yarn Estimation
Stranded / Fair Isle: Add 15-20% for floats on top of stitch-percentage splits
Intarsia: Split yardage by color percentage — minimal extra needed
Color Dominance: The dominant color uses ~5-10% more than its stitch percentage
Swatch First: Colorwork gauge differs from plain knitting — always swatch
Frequently Asked Questions
How much extra yarn does colorwork use?
Colorwork typically uses 15-30% more yarn than single-color knitting. Stranded colorwork (Fair Isle) uses more because yarn floats across the back. Intarsia uses about the same total yarn but split across colors.
How do I estimate yarn per color in Fair Isle?
Count or estimate what percentage of stitches each color covers. If Color A appears in 60% of stitches and Color B in 40%, split your total yardage accordingly — then add 15-20% to each for floats and tension differences.
What is stranded colorwork?
Stranded colorwork (Fair Isle) carries two or more colors across each row, with unused colors floating behind the work. It creates a double-thick, warm fabric. Floats should be no longer than 5-7 stitches to avoid snagging.
What is intarsia colorwork?
Intarsia uses separate yarn for each color block, with yarns twisted at color changes to prevent holes. Unlike stranded work, there are no floats. It's used for large motifs, pictures, and geometric blocks.
Does colorwork change my gauge?
Yes. Stranded colorwork is typically tighter than single-color knitting. Most knitters need to go up 1-2 needle sizes for colorwork sections to maintain gauge. Always swatch in the colorwork pattern, not just stockinette.
How do I calculate yarn for a color-dominant pattern?
The dominant color (carried below in stranded knitting) uses slightly more yarn per stitch because it travels a longer path. Budget about 5-10% extra for the dominant color compared to a simple percentage split.
How much yarn do floats use?
Floats add roughly 15-20% to yarn usage compared to if every stitch were knit. Longer floats use more yarn. Catching floats every 3-5 stitches uses slightly more than letting them run freely.
Can I mix yarn weights in colorwork?
It's not recommended for stranded colorwork as different weights create uneven fabric. For intarsia, you can sometimes mix weights if gauge is carefully matched. Stick to the same weight and fiber content for best results.
Sources and References
- Alice Starmore, "Book of Fair Isle Knitting"
- Mary Scott Huff, "The New Stranded Colorwork"
- Craft Yarn Council, yarn weight standards