Use your stash
Subtract the yarn you already own
Count the usable length you already have for the exact yarn and colour. Subtract it from your project requirement before dividing the remainder into whole balls.
A smaller top-up order
For a requirement of 600m, 180m already owned and 196m per new ball: (600 − 180) ÷ 196 = 2.142…, so buy 3 balls. You would then have 768m available and a calculated surplus of 168m. That surplus is relative to your entered requirement, not a prediction of the finished project’s leftovers.
Estimating length from weight
If a label says 100g contains 200m and you have 30g of that same yarn, the proportional estimate is 30 ÷ 100 × 200 = 60m. This assumes the weighed material is only that yarn and that its length-to-weight ratio matches the label. Remove bands, packaging and other items from the measurement. Treat this as an estimate rather than a measured length.
Keep the units consistent
In the planner, the pattern length and yarn you already own share the unit selected on that row. Metres per new ball always stays in metres. For example, a pattern in yards needs your stash entered in yards too; the planner converts both internally.
When you already have enough
If your stash covers the entered requirement and any allowance you choose, the result is zero new balls for that colour. A shop with no new balls to buy does not add a delivery charge to this plan.
Check before you move on
- Identify the exact yarn and colour
- Measure only usable yarn
- Use the correct label ratio when weighing
- Convert stash to the same unit as the pattern requirement
Try it with your own numbers.
Estimate remaining metres from the yarn’s weight and label, then bring them into your list.
Convert my leftovers ↗Common questions
Why does the converter call the result an estimate?
It applies the labelled ratio to the measured weight. It does not measure the actual length, and it cannot correct an inaccurate scale or an incorrectly identified yarn.
Will a stash top-up add delivery if I need no balls?
No. The planner excludes delivery from shops with nothing to buy in the calculated list.
Keep planning
- Calculate yarn separately for every colour
- Should I add an extra yarn allowance?
- Check your measuring and planning kit
These are planning methods, not physically tested crochet patterns. Read our method and editorial approach.