no pattern here, just 150 knit stitches in the round on size 8 needles, using a basic middle of the road acrylic yarn. making a cowl. want to basically use the whole skein by the time i finish, so how do i estimate how much yarn i’ll need when getting to the end in order to bind off that many stitches in basic bind off technique (with a 6-12" tail for weaving in as well)? no luck finding any kind of formula here or ravelry (ie, X stiches on Y needles = Z length), altho of course tons of suggestions on other types of binding off (basic, stretchy, gathered, in-pattern, for pockets, crocheted, etc)… so any suggestions? thanks!
I usually figure 3-4 times the length of the row plus the inches for the tail. Here are several alternative methods.
so in the round, then i’d measure a full circumference for the length, then multiply?
At some point in a project where I want to know how much yarn I need for a row or round I grab the working yarn, hold the piece I’m working on up to my nose and hold my arm out at about a 90 deg. That’s approximately 1 yd. and I tie a slip knot to mark it. I can then see how many stitches that yard makes. Sometimes I measure out 3 yds. in this way to see it that much makes a row/round.
ok then, both great ideas. i have plenty left on the skein, so will try a few tactics and see where i end up. just didn’t want to get too close to the end and then have a big ‘whoopsie’ on my hands, for trying something new. thanks!
Yes, you could also flatten out the tube and just measure the dieameter asuming you have enough length in the knit project to do that.
GG’s idea is a good one too.
Another suggestion is to estimate this by weight (if you have akitchen scale). Weigh the ball of yarn, knit a few rows and weigh the ball again. The difference in the weights is the yarn used for the rows and you can then calculate the weight of yarn used for one row. When your ball gets close to that weight, start the bind off.
X, you’ll probably think of or come across a few other things to try. If you do, let us know. This is always of interest to me. Most of the methods I’ll never use but I do like to know about them. I favor the KISS method, always. Keep It Simple, Sweetie. 
some great suggestions. thanks to all!
$w33t t3@ @nd b!$cuit$! this has taken. for. ev. er. but, after trying multiple methods and averaging, i know how much i need… 1 more regular knit round to go and then the bind off!