How much should I budget for yarn?

Budget yarns (acrylic, basic wool blends): £2-5 per 50g ball. Mid-range (merino, cotton blends): £5-10. Premium (hand-dyed, cashmere blends): £10-25. Luxury (pure cashmere, silk): £20-50+. A DK pullover uses 10-15 balls of the main colour.

Should I buy extra yarn?

Always buy at least 1 extra ball of the main colour. Dye lots vary between batches, and running out mid-project with no matching yarn available is a common problem. For large projects, buy 2 extra balls. You can often return unused balls if kept in their original wrapper.

What notions might I need to budget for?

Common notions include stitch markers (£2-5), cable needles (£2-4), tapestry needles (£1-3), buttons (£3-15 for a cardigan set), and a blocking mat and pins (£15-30). If you need new knitting needles, add £5-15 for bamboo or £10-25 for interchangeable sets.

Where can I find affordable yarn in the UK?

Online retailers like Wool Warehouse, Deramores, and LoveCrafts offer good value and frequent sales. Aldi and Lidl seasonal yarn ranges are very affordable. Charity shops, destash sales on Ravelry, and knitting group swaps are excellent for budget knitting.

Is expensive yarn worth it?

For garments you will wear frequently, good quality yarn is worth the investment as it feels better, wears longer, and blocks beautifully. For practice projects, baby items that will be outgrown, and items needing frequent washing, budget acrylic is perfectly practical.

KnitCalcs

Yarn Budget Calculator — Total Project Cost

Calculate the total cost of yarn and notions for a knitting project across multiple colours.

Balls Needed (Main Colour)

Required balls for the project

Price per Ball (Main)

Cost per ball of main yarn

Extra Safety Balls

Extra balls in case of shortfall

Second Colour Balls (optional)

Second Colour Price (optional)

Notions Budget (optional)

Buttons, markers, needles etc.

How We Calculate This

This calculator totals your yarn costs across colours, adding extra balls and notions for a complete project budget.

What is included

Main yarn: Required balls + extra safety balls
Second colour: Optional additional colour cost
Notions: Buttons, markers, needles, etc.

Frequently Asked Questions

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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.