Explore guide
Budget each color in a multicolor granny project
For twenty motifs, a measured 6 m of A and 4 m of B per motif gives 120 m A and 80 m B before reserve. A separately measured 30 m A joining requirement raises A to 150 m.
Related lessons and tools
For twenty motifs, a measured 6 m of A and 4 m of B per motif gives 120 m A and 80 m B before reserve. A separately measured 30 m A joining requirement raises A to 150 m.
Work through the example
- Make complete sample motifs with the intended color sequence. Measure each color’s actual use, including the tails you will repeat.
- Multiply each per-motif length by twenty. Measure the intended joined layout separately; do not assume the motif yarn estimate covers assembly.
- Enter A components of 120 m and 30 m, and B of 80 m. With 10% reserve and 100 m balls for each, the result is two A balls and one B ball.
- Map A and B to exact color references and compatible lots. Any border becomes another measured component in the appropriate group.
- Print the color map, component list and package totals. Compare actual consumption after several motifs and revise the remaining budget if needed.
Check before committing
These per-motif lengths are worked-example inputs. Different rounds, colors, yarns, hooks or joins change consumption and must be sampled.
Printable planning record
Inputs and sample measurements recorded; chosen result checked; material/color references recorded; reserve included once; construction and finishing checks completed.
Method and sources
These are original planning examples using the linked tools’ methods. Replace measured inputs with your own samples; a calculator cannot validate the construction. Keep the resulting measurements, choices and remaining checks with the project.
Component yarn planner
Combine measured yarn requirements by material and color, then round whole balls once for each group.
Before you use this tool
Enter each component’s base length before reserve and assign its material/color group. Components in one group share the same package facts; different colors stay in different groups.
The tool combines lengths and rounds packages once per group, so leftovers cannot cover a different color.
Method and limits
Formula and assumptions
For each group, add component lengths; multiply once by (1 + allowance ÷ 100); divide by label length and round up. Multiply whole balls by label length and mass. Enter lengths before allowance. Do not add a second reserve to an estimate that already includes one.
Worked example
Group A: 120 m + 80 m = 200 m; with 10% reserve, 220 m requires three 100 m/50 g balls. Group B: 60 m with 10% reserve requires one separate 100 m/50 g ball. The groups cannot share their rounding surplus.
Limits and rounding
Results are planning estimates from the values entered. Displayed decimals are rounded for craft use; whole materials and repeats round up where the method says so. Confirm gauge, material behavior, construction, and finished measurements before committing supplies.