Yardage sweater question

Aramis3737 · 07-22-2010, 10:27 PM

Hello all,

For my first sweater, I'm ambitiously (?) doing a man's sweater using Paton's Angora Bamboo (80 yds per skein) and this really nice pattern: http://knitty.com/ISSUEfall06/PATTavast.html

I noticed the pattern calls for a minimum of 1470 yds, so if my math is correct, I'll need 19 balls of yarn? I just bought 7, but 19 balls seems like an enormous amount...

Any feedback on yardage issues? Thanks in advance!

Best wishes,

Aramis

Jan in CA · 07-23-2010, 03:37 AM

7 skeins at 80 yds each = 560 yds
19 skeins at 80 yds each = 1,520 yds

You don't have near enough. The little bit extra you have with the 19 would be your safe zone. I'd probably buy 20 myself to be on the safe side. That's a very small amount of yardage per skein so you would need more.

Aramis3737 · 07-23-2010, 04:56 AM

Thanks Jan, I do need to buy a truckload more yarn don't I? Good heavens. More importantly though, I am excited to try out a sweater! Wish me luck!

cftwo · 07-23-2010, 03:03 PM

The surprising thing about sweaters is how much yarn the sleeves use up. You'll really need those 1500 yards.

Mike · 07-23-2010, 06:08 PM

I think I'm right around 1000 yds for Simply Soft. Maybe 1250 if I'm forgetting something.

But 1500 is a good place to start. Other yarns have used that much.

Jan in CA · 07-23-2010, 07:24 PM

Yes, I'm not a big person and I use more than that unless it's a short sleeve sweater that's a bolero type.

Hmm.. maybe this page would help. This is a yardage estimate. I would think it's for a simple pattern..if there are cables, ribs, collars, etc. it's going to take more.
http://www.fiber2yarn.com/info/how_much_yarn.htm

Aramis3737 · 07-24-2010, 03:16 PM

I know I'm going to be surprised at every twist and turn of this sweater project; I certainly never anticipated sleeves to use that much yarn, just the body of the sweater. Patons Angora Bamboo hardly gives any yarn too, just something like a piffly 80 yds per skein...it's just such a beautiful wine red though!

Aramis3737 · 07-24-2010, 03:17 PM

Thanks, Jan! This chart is great - I printed it and it will soon be part of a dog-eared collection of beloved knitting papers!

Aramis3737 · 07-24-2010, 03:18 PM

...not to mention cables! oiy...maybe 20 balls instead of 19...

Jan in CA · 07-24-2010, 04:37 PM

The cables should have been taken into account in the original yarn estimate so you're probably okay. I always like to have an extra skein for insurance myself though. You can always use it for something else someday if you don't need it. If you buy it locally they often let you return unused yarn if it hasn't been wound, too.