You know... I'd love to do smaller ones, if only I could knit. You know, ones that would only take 1 mile of yarn 
It actually takes about 1 mile of yarn to make a really nice sweater/short cloak for yours truly - about 2,000 yards (or 6,000 feet). A mile being 5,380 feet (I think...), of course.
Your mileage may vary.
Get it? Mileage?
Thank you, I'm here all week - tip the waitstaff...
behindbj