How do I estimate colour percentages?

Chart your mosaic pattern on graph paper and count the stitches of each colour. Divide each colour's stitch count by the total to get the percentage. Mosaic charts repeat, so you only need to count one repeat. Because each row of mosaic uses a single colour (the other is slipped), counting worked stitches per colour gives an accurate split.

Should I buy extra yarn for mosaic knitting?

Mosaic is a slip-stitch technique: you knit one colour per row and slip the other, so there are NO carried floats across the back. That means mosaic uses LESS yarn than stranded (Fair Isle) colourwork. A small ~5-10% margin covers the slight elongation of slipped stitches and tension differences — you rarely need the 15-20% stranded colourwork buffer. Stranded work needs more (floats); intarsia needs more (tail ends).

Does mosaic knitting affect gauge?

Mosaic carries no floats, so it does not tighten across like stranded colourwork. However, slipping stitches every other row pulls the fabric up slightly, often giving a denser, shorter row gauge than plain stocking stitch. Always swatch in the mosaic pattern (and block it) before relying on a yarn estimate.

KnitCalcs

Mosaic Knitting Calculator — Calculate yarn for mosaic colourwork patterns.

Calculate yarn for mosaic colourwork patterns.

Total Yarn Needed

Total metres for project

Colour 1 %

Share of stitches in Colour 1 (must sum to 100% with Colour 2)

Colour 2 %

Share of stitches in Colour 2 (must sum to 100% with Colour 1)

Extra for Colourwork

Safety margin — mosaic needs less than stranded work (~5-10% is plenty)

How We Calculate This

Mosaic knitting works one colour at a time: each row uses a single strand and slips the stitches of the other colour, so there are no carried floats and yarn use is closer to plain knitting than to stranded colourwork. This calculator divides your total yarn requirement by colour percentage, then adds a small margin for the slip-stitch elongation.

The formula

Colour yarn = Total yarn x Colour percentage / 100

With extra = Colour yarn x (1 + Extra % + Slip-stitch wastage %)

The Extra % buffer and the advanced Slip-stitch wastage % are added together onto the base. With the defaults (15% + 5%) the multiplier is 1.20.

Frequently Asked Questions

Related Calculators

Stripe Sequence Calculator

Calculate yarn needed per colour for striped patterns with custom sequences.

Fair Isle Yarn Calculator

Calculate yarn needed for each colour in a Fair Isle pattern based on percentage.

Intarsia Yarn Calculator

Calculate yarn lengths for each colour block in intarsia colourwork.

Colour Block Calculator

Calculate yarn for large colour block sections in garments.

Gradient Calculator

Calculate yarn quantities for gradient or ombre colour transitions.

Last updated: February 2026

All calculations are estimates based on standard yarn weights and gauge. Results may vary with individual tension, yarn brand, and needle size.