Which Yarn Color Limits Your Next Weaving Batch?

A batch can have enough yarn in total and still run short of one accent color. Work in separate rows for each yarn instead of combining every cone into one yardage figure.

Start with a tested recipe

Use the consumption from a representative sample or a previous batch. Separate consumption that grows with every piece from fixed sampling and loom waste. Include weft and any yarn used in both directions; count a shared cone only once.

For each yarn, subtract fixed waste and your reserve from available yardage. Divide the remainder by consumption per piece, then round down. The smallest result across all yarns is the batch limit. If the fixed allowance already exceeds the available yarn, that yarn supports zero pieces.

A worked example

Suppose the main warp has 1,000 yards available, uses 200 yards per piece and needs 80 yards of fixed waste. Four pieces require 880 yards. The accent has 200 yards available, uses 50 per piece and needs 20 fixed yards. Four pieces require 220 yards: a 20-yard shortfall. Three pieces require 170 yards and fit both yarns. Check weft separately before accepting that count.

Compare with your current worksheet

In a May 2026 weaving discussion, a weaver describes using a spreadsheet to find how many pieces fit available cones. That is a credible existing approach. Free weaving calculators also cover substantial project math.

ConeYield is a planned tool for the limiting-color comparison, not an available calculator. The proposed price is $24 one-time.