Fiber Needed
34.3 oz
Yield (plied)
43.8 yd/oz
Ply Loss
13%
Plying reduces yardage by ~13% due to twist take-up
| Weight | WPI | Yards/lb | Yards/oz |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lace | 30+ | 2,600 | 162.5 |
| Fingering | 14–18 | 2,100 | 131.3 |
| Sport | 12–14 | 1,400 | 87.5 |
| DK | 11–12 | 1,100 | 68.8 |
| Worsted← | 9–11 | 800 | 50.0 |
| Bulky | 7–9 | 400 | 25.0 |
| Super Bulky | <7 | 250 | 15.6 |
Inputs
Result
Worsted singles yield about 50 yards per ounce. After 2-ply twist loss of 15%, effective yield drops to 42.5 yd/oz. For 1,200 yards: 1,200 ÷ 42.5 = 28.2 oz. Rounded to 28.2 oz or about 1.76 lb of prepared roving.
Inputs
Result
Fingering singles from BFL yield about 131 yards per ounce. After 3-ply twist loss of 20%, effective yield drops to 105 yd/oz. For 425 yards: 425 ÷ 105 = 4.0 oz of prepared BFL top.
Inputs
Result
DK singles from alpaca yield about 80 yd/oz. After 2-ply loss of 15%, that is 68 yd/oz. With 8 oz: 8 × 68 = 544 yards, enough for a hat (200 yd) plus a scarf (300 yd), or one generous shawl.
A worsted-weight adult sweater needs roughly 1,000–2,000 yards of yarn. At about 800 yards per pound for worsted singles, you need 1.25–2.5 lb of prepared roving. With 2-ply twist loss of 10–15%, plan on 1.4–2.9 lb of roving total.
| Yarn Weight | Yards Needed | Roving (2-ply) | Raw Merino Fleece |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fingering | 1,600–2,000 yd | 1.2–1.5 lb | 2.0–2.6 lb |
| Worsted | 1,000–1,500 yd | 1.4–2.1 lb | 2.4–3.6 lb |
| Bulky | 700–1,000 yd | 2.0–2.9 lb | 3.4–5.0 lb |
Wraps per inch (WPI) measures yarn thickness by counting how many times a strand wraps around a ruler in one inch without overlapping or gaps. WPI determines yarn weight category and is the standard way handspinners classify their output.
| Yarn Weight | WPI Range | Yards/Pound | Typical Projects |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lace | 30+ | 2,600+ | Shawls, doilies |
| Fingering | 14–18 | 1,600–2,600 | Socks, light shawls |
| Worsted | 9–11 | 500–1,100 | Sweaters, hats |
| Bulky | 7–9 | 300–500 | Blankets, cowls |
Scour loss depends on the breed. Merino loses 35–50% to lanolin, dirt, and suint. BFL loses 30–40%. Alpaca and silk lose very little, yielding 85–95% clean fiber. Always buy more raw fleece than you think you need.
| Fiber Type | Scour Yield | Loss % | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Merino | 50–65% | 35–50% | Heavy lanolin |
| BFL | 60–70% | 30–40% | Moderate grease |
| Alpaca | 85–95% | 5–15% | Very clean |
| Silk | 95%+ | <5% | Pre-processed |
Plying reduces total yardage because twist shortens the yarn. Two-ply loses 10–15% of your singles yardage. Three-ply loses 15–20%. The tighter the ply twist, the more yardage you lose. Always account for plying loss when planning fiber quantities.
Festival shopping mode is a reverse calculation: you enter how many ounces of fiber you have (or plan to buy at a fiber festival) and the calculator tells you what projects that fiber can make. It factors in your target yarn weight and plying method to show feasible projects.
Yards per pound varies dramatically by yarn weight. Lace yarn yields 2,600+ yards per pound, while super bulky yields under 300. These are averages for clean, prepared fiber spun as singles. Plying reduces these numbers by 10–20%.
| Yarn Weight | Yards/Pound | Yards/Ounce | WPI Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lace | 2,600+ | 163+ | 30+ |
| Fingering | 1,600–2,600 | 100–163 | 14–18 |
| Worsted | 500–1,100 | 31–69 | 9–11 |
| Super Bulky | <300 | <19 | <7 |
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Last Updated: Mar 9, 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.