Why do some patterns state quantity of yarn by “ball” instead of yards or meters? It is very frustrating to me, it seems that the most accurate way to state how much yarn a pattern takes would be to give the measurement, not a term like “ball” that could be various measurements!
Welcome to KH. Patterns are written by people. People think of measuring things in different ways and people are inconsistent. If the pattern tells specifically what yarn was used you can look up the particulars on it and find the info you want. Do you have a pattern in mind for which you need to figure out yardage? If so, you can probably get some good input by telling us what it is, its name, and where you got it or linking to it. Looking at similar items at www.ravelry.com can also give you a pretty good idea of the yardage needed. HTH
All the balls of yarn I have bought stated the length of on yarn on the the label.
KnitTink
Yes and that is the point KnitTink, yarn is sold in balls with weight and length information listed on the label and depending on what yarn you buy the length can vary from one ball to another ball depending on many variables. My comment ( rant 
) is not about labels on balls of yarn, my comment is about a pattern that does not state the length of yarn needed, instead the pattern simply states a quantity of balls of yarn. I wrote the comment griping about patterns not listing length because I was frustrated the other day when I had seen one too many patterns that don’t give length. I just wanted to hear other people sympathize with me 
I have contacted the designer of the pattern and she told me how many yards were in the “ball” that she used in her pattern, so the problem is solved - “this time” - but the next pattern I run across I will again be grumpy about the oversight, but that’s just me :woot:
GG
Thank you for your comment and offer. I have contacted the designer of the pattern and she told me how many yards were in the “ball” that she used in her pattern, so the problem is solved - “this time” - but the next pattern I run across I will again be grumpy about the oversight, but that’s just me :woot:
~maggie
I just go to Ravelry and look up the yarn. Easy peasy.
I find that life’s too short and has too many real problems to get my knickers in a knot over yardage when I can generally and quite easily figure it out. That’s just me. People write patterns and different people think to include different pieces of info. Like Jan, I use Ravelry to find such things.
Happy knitting.
I love Ravelry and I’m a member. I just started knitting again after a 35 year hiatus from knitting. I used to knit when my kids were babies but never really knit much, now I’m retired and been learning to weave and spin, but I also been finding great enjoyment in knitting again. As I said, I contacted the designer; she told me how much yarn was needed for her pattern. As for going to Ravelry, I don’t understand how that would solve how much yarn is in an unnamed yarn ball in a pattern that only states cotton yarn. The pattern doesn’t tell the weight of the yarn, or any other information about the yarn. Maybe you can explain how going to Ravelry will help so that next time I can do that incase I can’t reach the pattern designer. I’d appreciate it, thanks. ~maggie
Oh I see. Did it give gauge? I’ve had to go by that on occasion. This gives you an estimate if you need it.
http://www.fiber2yarn.com/info/how_much_yarn.htm
Ravelry would only help if you know the yarn… Like if she’d said “Plymouth Encore”, but didn’t give you the yardage. I’ve had to look up specific yarns, but never had a pattern only say fiber type. Weird.
If you’re really stumped, you can look at similar items posted and see what yardage they call for. For example, most baby sweaters will take a similar amount of yardage and I’ve looked and checked the yardage on adult sweaters just to have an idea when I come across that must-have yarn how much I must have to make a sweater. What are you making?
Going back to the original question regarding WHY some designers might do this: if a designer has received yarn support from a specific manufacturer, it may be part of the support contract that s/he specify that brand.
It then follows (from the mfr’s point of view) that withholding the specific yardage will yield a captive audience who will be coerced (per this line of thinking) into buying that mfr’s yarn, X balls/skeins of it, plus the extra ball/skein that we usually buy “just in case.”
But now I’m confused: what information did the designer provide so that there was enough to purchase the correct yarn, yet not enough to look it up in Ravelry (e.g., the previous “Plymouth Encore” example provided)? Since we’re pretty sure it was not Lion Brand, and since they cover the gamut of weight classes (and give us everything we need to know 
), let’s use some of their lines as examples. I’ve taken these from the LionBrand “Yarns by Weight” page.
Weight Class #1 (fingering weight): Lion Brand Sock-Ease. 3.5 oz/100 g. 438 yd/400 m
Weight Class #2 (sport weight): Vanna’s Glamour. 1.75 oz/50 g. 202 yd/185 m
Weight Class #3 (DK weight): Vanna’s Sequins. 1.75 oz/50 g (157 yd/144 m)
Weight Class #4 (worsted weight): Heartland. 5.00 oz/142 g (251 yd/230 m)
Weight Class #5 (bulky weight): Alpine Wool. 3.00 oz/85 g (93 yd/85 m)
Weight Class #6 (super bulky weight): Jiffy Thick & Quick. 5.00 oz/140 g (84 yd/76 m)
What info was provided on the pattern in question? What was not?
thx; I’m just trying to figure this out for myself.