How Much Yarn for a Vest?
An adult medium vest takes about 900 yards of worsted-weight yarn — roughly 5 skeins of a standard 220-yard skein with buffer. No sleeves means roughly 30–40% less yarn than a full sweater.
Vests are a smart first garment: faster than a sweater, less yarn to buy, and no sleeve island to get stuck on.
Yardage chart: vest by yarn weight
| Yarn weight | Estimated yardage | Skeins needed* |
|---|---|---|
| Fine / Sport (2) | 1,100 yds | 4 skeins |
| Light / DK (3) | 1,000 yds | 4 skeins |
| Medium / Worsted (4) | 900 yds | 5 skeins |
| Bulky (5) | 750 yds | 7 skeins |
*Skein counts use typical skein sizes for each weight and include a 10% safety buffer, rounded up. Always check your yarn label — skein sizes vary by brand.
Get your exact numbers
Run vest through the free calculator with your yarn's label details.
Frequently asked questions
How many skeins for a vest?
In worsted weight, about 4–5 skeins of 220-yard skeins for a medium. In DK, about 4 skeins of 280-yard skeins.
How much yarn for a sweater vest vs a sweater?
A vest uses roughly 60–70% of the yarn of a long-sleeve sweater in the same size — the missing sleeves save a lot.
Can I convert a sweater pattern to a vest?
Yes — work the body as written and skip the sleeves, binding off or working armhole edging instead. Reduce the pattern's yardage by about a third.
What yarn weight is best for vests?
DK and worsted are the sweet spot: warm enough to matter as a layer, without the bulk of heavier weights under a jacket.
