Finished Yarn
195 yds
Yield
8.2 oz
Loss
49%
Value
$78
Finished Yarn
195 yds
8.2 oz (2 skeins)
Yds/oz
24
Hours
5
Value
$78
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Price as of Jun 27, 2026. Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
Inputs
Result
Wash: 16 x 0.6 = 9.6 oz. Card: 9.6 x 0.9 = 8.64 oz. Spin: 8.64 x 0.95 = 8.2 oz. Worsted at 0.85x base (28 yds/oz x 0.85 = 23.8 yds/oz). Yarn: 8.2 x 23.8 = 195 yds.
Inputs
Result
Wash: 8 x 0.9 = 7.2 oz. Card: 7.2 x 0.92 = 6.6 oz. Spin: 6.6 x 0.96 = 6.3 oz. Fingering at 1.2x base (24 x 1.2 = 28.8 yds/oz). Yarn: 6.3 x 28.8 = 181 yds.
Raw wool loses 35—55% of its weight during processing. Merino loses ~40% in washing (lanolin/grease), ~10% in carding, and ~5% in spinning, yielding about 45% of the original weight as finished yarn. Alpaca retains much more weight since it has minimal lanolin, losing only about 22% total.
| Fiber | Wash Loss | Card Loss | Total Yield |
|---|---|---|---|
| Merino Wool | 40% | 10% | ~45% |
| Alpaca | 10% | 8% | ~78% |
| Angora | 5% | 12% | ~78% |
| Cotton | 5% | 15% | ~72% |
Yardage depends on yarn weight and fiber type. From 1 lb of clean Merino (after washing), you get roughly 450 yards of worsted weight, 600 yards of sport weight, or 900 yards of fingering weight. Thinner yarn = more yardage per ounce but more time to spin.
Processing time varies dramatically by method. Hand-processing 1 lb of raw fiber takes 6–8 hours (washing + hand carding + spinning). Using a drum carder reduces this to 4–5 hours. Sending fiber to a mill for washing and carding brings it down to about 2 hours of spinning per pound.
Handspun yarn sells for $25–80 per 100-yard skein depending on fiber and quality. A pound of merino fiber ($15–25 raw) yields about 4–5 skeins of worsted yarn, valued at $120–$200+ as handspun. However, the labor time (5–8 hours) means the effective hourly rate is modest unless you value the craft experience.
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Last Updated: Jul 13, 2026
This calculator is provided for informational and educational purposes only. Results are estimates and should not be considered professional financial, medical, legal, or other advice. Always consult a qualified professional before making important decisions. UseCalcPro is not responsible for any actions taken based on calculator results.