Yarn tree calculator: how much yarn for a Christmas tree
Enter the height and base width of your cone to see the yarn you need in metres, grams and balls, for wrapping or a knitted cover.
Your yarn (estimate)
- Surface to cover
- 729 cm²
- Yarn length
- about 41 m
- Yarn weight
- about 14 g
- Balls needed
- 1
- Ball used
- Stylecraft Special DK (295 m / 100 g)
- Wrapping time (rough) [estimate]
- 14 to 27 minutes
Wraps per inch (WPI) values and the wrapping time are [estimate]s: sources disagree on WPI, so use the result as a guide. Yarn weights follow the Craft Yarn Council yarn weight system.
Quick tips
- Glue every 2 to 3 wraps so the yarn does not slip down the cone.
- Paint the cone in a matching colour first so gaps do not show.
- Buy one extra ball so every ball comes from the same dye lot.
How this calculator works
We treat your tree as a cone. The curved surface area is pi x radius x slant height, and dividing it by the width of the yarn gives the metres needed to cover it with touching wraps. We then add 10% for overlaps, tails and waste.
Yarn width comes from wraps per inch (WPI), the number of side-by-side wraps that fit in one inch, so the diameter is 25.4 mm divided by WPI. Our WPI figures are [estimate]s: published sources disagree, and the Craft Yarn Council does not give WPI at all. Treat the answer as a good guide, not a guarantee.
Pick a ball and we convert the length into grams and whole balls. Prefer a knitted or crocheted cover? Knit a 10 x 10 cm swatch, weigh it, and enter the grams. We scale it to the cone's area and add 15% for shaping and seams.
Tick the base option if the bottom will show, for example on a glass stand. Tape or pin the first end, glue every two or three wraps, and paint the cone first. For step-by-step ideas see Blue Sky at Home's yarn tree guide or Laura Radniecki's chunky yarn tree tutorial.
Buy all your yarn from one dye lot, because shades vary slightly between batches. Fond of a very different fibre craft? Our fly-tying calculator works out thread, wire and dubbing for each pattern.
Frequently asked questions
How much yarn do I need for a 30 cm yarn tree?
A cone 30 cm tall with a 15 cm base wrapped in DK yarn needs about 41 metres, which is a single 100 g ball of Stylecraft Special DK (295 m). Double the height and base and you need roughly four times as much, because the surface area grows with the square of the size.
Which yarn weight is best for a wrapped tree?
Chunky and super chunky cover a cone fastest and hide gaps best, which is why most tutorials use them. DK and 4 ply give a finer finish but need far more yarn and time. Weights follow the Craft Yarn Council system, which also lists the US names. Source: Craft Yarn Council: yarn weight system.
Why do wraps per inch (WPI) figures differ between websites?
WPI is measured by hand, so it depends on tension, fibre and who is counting. Retailers publish slightly different ranges for the same weight, and the Craft Yarn Council does not publish WPI at all. We use mid-range values and mark them as estimates. Measure your own yarn if you want precision.
Should I wrap the cone or make a knitted cover?
Wrapping is quicker and uses less yarn, so it is the most common method. A knitted or crocheted cover gives a textured, stitched look but needs a swatch to estimate. Knit a 10 x 10 cm square, weigh it in grams, and the calculator scales that to the area of your cone with a 15% allowance.
How long does it take to wrap a yarn tree?
Our rough range is 1.5 to 3 metres a minute including gluing, so a 30 cm tree takes about 14 to 27 minutes. Treat it as an estimate. Slow, tidy wrapping with glue every two or three turns takes longer, but it stops the yarn slipping. Source: Blue Sky at Home: yarn Christmas trees.
Do I need to buy extra yarn?
Yes, buy one extra ball if the result is close to a whole number. Different dye lots can vary in shade, and a mismatched ball shows clearly on a small tree. Leftover yarn is useful for pom-poms and bows to finish the tree. Source: Laura Radniecki: chunky yarn wrapped trees.