How Much Yarn for a Cardigan?
An adult medium cardigan takes about 1,600 yards of worsted-weight yarn — roughly 8 skeins of a standard 220-yard skein with buffer. That's about 10–15% more than a pullover, thanks to the button bands and front edges.
Long, oversized, or heavily textured cardigans can push past 2,000 yards in worsted — check your pattern and size before buying.
Yardage chart: cardigan by yarn weight
| Yarn weight | Estimated yardage | Skeins needed* |
|---|---|---|
| Super Fine / Fingering (1) | 2,200 yds | 6 skeins |
| Fine / Sport (2) | 2,100 yds | 7 skeins |
| Light / DK (3) | 1,900 yds | 8 skeins |
| Medium / Worsted (4) | 1,600 yds | 8 skeins |
| Bulky (5) | 1,250 yds | 12 skeins |
*Skein counts use typical skein sizes for each weight and include a 10% safety buffer, rounded up. Always check your yarn label — skein sizes vary by brand.
Get your exact numbers
Run cardigan through the free calculator with your yarn's label details.
Frequently asked questions
How many skeins for a cardigan?
In worsted weight, about 7–8 skeins of 220-yard skeins for a medium. Long or oversized styles need 9–12 skeins.
Do cardigans use more yarn than sweaters?
Yes, typically 10–15% more than a pullover in the same size and yarn, because of the front bands, buttonholes, and often a longer body.
How much yarn for a cropped cardigan?
A cropped or short-sleeve cardigan can use 20–30% less — roughly 1,100–1,200 yards of worsted for a medium.
Any tips for buying cardigan yarn?
Buy all skeins from the same dye lot, and alternate two skeins every two rows through the body — large flat panels show color variation more than small pieces do.
