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Crochet Tapestry Yarn Calculator

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Created by: Ethan Brooks

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Calculate the per-colour yarn yardage for any tapestry crochet project. Enter your dimensions, gauge, colour distribution, and get total yardage with carry-along overhead, per-colour yarn breakdown, and skeins needed for each colour.

Crochet Tapestry Yarn Calculator

Crochet

Calculate per-colour yardage for tapestry crochet with carry-along overhead

Project Dimensions

Yarn Details

Colour Distribution (%)

Note: These results are for guidance only and shouldn't be taken as professional advice. Always double-check with a qualified expert before making decisions.

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What is a Crochet Tapestry Yarn Calculator?

A Crochet Tapestry Yarn Calculator estimates the yarn needed for multi-colour tapestry crochet projects. Unlike single-colour crochet, tapestry crochet carries unused colours inside the stitches, which significantly increases total yarn consumption. This calculator accounts for that carry-along overhead and breaks down yardage by colour.

Whether you are making a tapestry crochet bag, wall hanging, pillow cover, or blanket, knowing exactly how much of each colour to buy prevents mid-project yarn emergencies and wasted money on excess yarn.

Tapestry Yarn Formulas

Total stitches: (Width × Stitches/inch) × (Height × Rows/inch)

Base yardage (single colour): Total stitches × Yarn per stitch

Carry overhead: Base yardage × (Number of colours − 1) × 0.15

Total project yardage: Base yardage + Carry overhead

Per-colour yardage: Total yardage × Colour percentage + Carry allocation

Skeins per colour: ⌈Per-colour yardage ÷ Yards per skein⌉

Tapestry Yarn Example

You are making a 12" × 14" tapestry crochet bag in worsted weight (gauge: 4 st/in × 4 rows/in) with 3 colours: 50% main, 30% contrast A, 20% contrast B. Yarn has 220 yd/skein.

  1. Total stitches = (12 × 4) × (14 × 4) = 48 × 56 = 2,688
  2. Base yardage = 2,688 × 0.020 = 53.8 yards
  3. Carry overhead = 53.8 × (3 − 1) × 0.15 = 16.1 yards
  4. Total = 53.8 + 16.1 = 69.9 yards
  5. Main (50%): ~35 yards (1 skein)
  6. Contrast A (30%): ~21 yards (1 skein)
  7. Contrast B (20%): ~14 yards (1 skein)

Common Applications

  • Tapestry Bags & Pouches — mochila bags, crossbody bags, and clutches
  • Wall Hangings — pixel art and geometric tapestry designs
  • Pillow Covers — colourwork cushion covers
  • Blanket Panels — tapestry sections within larger afghans
  • Graphghan Planning — picture blankets with many colour sections

Tips for Accurate Results

  • Count colour stitches from your chart for exact percentages, or estimate from the design.
  • Use a tight gauge to prevent carried yarns from showing through.
  • Buy 15% extra of each colour to account for tension differences and potential mistakes.
  • With 4+ colours, consider dropping and picking up colours at the row edge instead of carrying all colours.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is tapestry crochet?

Tapestry crochet (also called intarsia or colourwork crochet) is a technique where you carry multiple yarn colours across the row, crocheting over the unused colours to create colourful patterns and images. Unlike stranded knitting, the unused yarn is completely hidden inside the stitches.

How much extra yarn does tapestry crochet use?

Tapestry crochet uses significantly more yarn than single-colour work because you are carrying unused colours inside each stitch. Typically, tapestry crochet uses 30–50% more total yarn than the same project in one colour. The exact amount depends on how many colours you use and the pattern layout.

How do I calculate yarn for each colour in tapestry crochet?

Count the number of stitches in each colour from your chart. Divide the stitch count for each colour by the total stitch count to get each colour's percentage. Multiply the total yardage by each colour's percentage, then add the carry-along overhead. This calculator automates the entire process.

Does the number of colours affect yarn usage?

Yes — more colours means more carry-along yarn hidden inside the stitches. With 2 colours, you carry 1 unused strand. With 3 colours, you carry 2. Each additional colour increases total yarn consumption by roughly 10–15%. This calculator adjusts for colour count.

What yarn weight is best for tapestry crochet?

Worsted and DK weight yarns are ideal for tapestry crochet. They create a dense, opaque fabric that hides the carried yarns well. Thinner yarns can show carry-through, and bulky yarns create very thick fabric. Cotton and cotton blends are popular for tapestry bags and pouches.

Sources and References

  1. Craft Yarn Council, "Standard Yarn Weight System & Gauge Ranges", 2024
  2. The Crochet Guild of America, "Tapestry Crochet Techniques & Yarn Guide"
  3. Carol Ventura, "Tapestry Crochet and More" — yarn usage data, 2024