Welcome to the second installment of ‘questions that twists a yarn stores stitches’ 

We have created a series of blog posts which address some of the most commonly asked questions and help empower you to becoming the slickest stitcher in town! 

How many balls do I need to knit a [insert desire project here]? 

Ah, the “how long is this piece of string” question for yarn store assistants. This question has so many variables that it can only be asked in the broadest of terms and even then, you can get frustrated customers that take your advice as gospel and find they are left with too much yarn or too little. 

If you are happy just buying for stash enhancement and not too phased about the exact volumes needed, then we can give you some broad brushstroke estimates. But often fixed incomes and budgets come into play, so the expectation is that we get this unicorn figure right for you. 

This is where a little research can go a long way. Take a little time to let your fingers do the walking and research patterns online or even visit the most underrated free pattern repository there is, your local library. This will help give you some inspiration and direction and will also help refine your question to give you even better results and less unexpected yarn surprises. 

The next step is finding the right yarn to do the job, regardless of fibre composition, thickness or texture– this is where your yarn store assistant will be able to help you match the right yarn for your desired project. Our store here in Napier specialises in natural yarns at affordable prices – cheap yarn from us doesn’t mean you have to skimp on quality! 

Here is a basic knitting for beginners guide to how much yarn is required for popular projects. 

This is an approximate guide only, quantity can vary depending on pattern, size, tension and stitch style used. 

We are all guilty at one time or another of asking at least one of these questions, but if you ever want to make a yarn assistants day, do a little research before your visit, remember that they are the experts in the field and don’t be afraid to throw caution to the wind and step outside of your comfort zone from time to time. 

Most of all, have fun, knitting is a hobby after all!