You can then work out the total area of your garment in your size using the schematics as follows: Weigh your swatch and then divide it by the area, which will give you the yarn needed per cm squared. You can get a more accurate estimate with a little bit of easy maths.įirst, knit a swatch, aiming for about 20cm square. This calculator works best with plain yarn and stocking stitch garments. I love the handy calculator from Jimmy Beans Wool. This question is literally like asking 'how long is a piece of string?' There are so many different things that can affect how much yarn you need that it's nearly impossible to give an exact figure, but there are some easy cheats to find out. UK Hand Knitting has a fantastic directory you can use to find your local yarn shop. The best place to go for advice on choosing the best yarn is your local independent yarn shop. These free garment patterns can be knitted in any of these three weights, whatever you prefer. Elsewhere, 4-ply is sometimes known as fingering weight and aran is similar to worsted weight.

Here in the UK, the most common are 4-ply, DK and aran. I've been working with Michelle for years as a technical editor and sample knitter and if there's anything she doesn't know about knitting a jumper, it's not worth knowing! The patterns have all been tried and tested by expert knitters and beginners alike, so you can be sure you can trust the instructions. Our patterns are written by one of the knitters I trust most in the whole world - Michelle Hazell. Whether you're knitting your first sweater or your fiftieth, I always say that the most important thing is to find a pattern you trust. Scroll down for your four FREE PATTERNS to knit sweaters in sizes 6-36 in 4-ply, DK or aran weight yarn!

Simply knitting free patterns