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Tabby2002
Warming Up
Canada
87 Posts |
 Posted - 03/09/2006 : 11:31:34 AM
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I found a pattern for a child's sweater that I want to make, and the pattern directions are for a worsted weight size yarn (4). My problem is that I found a fun yarn that I think would look great in this sweater but it is only rated at a size 3. The gauge the apttern said was that 18 stitches would be equal to 4 inches in stocking stitch. I did a check using the required 5.0 mm needles with this yarn and it was only 2 inches. I tried with 5.5 mm needles and got up to 2.5 inches. So, then I proceeded to try with 6.0 mm and got 3.5 inches.
My question is this...is there any other way to increase the gauge (aside from getting the right size yarn the pattern calls for) and not use needles much larger? I am thinking that if I try 6.5 mm (I would have to purchase these because I don't have any) the knitting will be too loose and it won't look very good. I suppose it might just mean that the sweater wouldn't be as warm if the stitches weren't tighter and closer together...I don't know. I'm not good at math and honestly don't know how to increase or decrease a pattern in order to make the yarn fit.
Or, I suppose the other option is to make it on the 5.0 mm or 5.5 mm and have it turn out smaller. Would that then fit a smaller child, or would it just have the pattern not fit right?
Any help, thoughts, directions to take would be greatly appreciated.
Happy knitting [meow]
http://kittenyarnsandcrafts.blogspot.com
Come visit my blog sometime! |
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RatherBknitting
Chatty Knitter
213 Posts |
Posted - 03/09/2006 : 11:40:57 AM
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I'm still an advanced beginner, but I saw a Knitty Gritty show once on this subject. I think this is what you can do (help me out advanced knitters if I'm wrong):
If the yarn is really small, you could double it. In order to get the right gauge (you should still test it to make sure), add up the mm of the yarn doubled, then pick the appropriate needle size. The Knitty Gritty show was talking about combining yarns and how to choose needles. For example, if you wanted to combine a bulky yarn with an eyelash yarn, you would add up the mm on the packages, then choose the needle size based on that total (same mm on the needles).
Good luck! |
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fmarrs
Guardian angel
USA
9776 Posts |
Posted - 03/09/2006 : 4:51:14 PM
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Download this program and play with it. Sometimes a few words fail to download so if you run across that, email me and I'll tell you what words go there. With this program you can switch any pattern from the gauge in which it was written into the gauge that you have. That will take care of the mathmatical problem. Be aware, however that sometimes things don't translate well as it does not take into consideration drape, appropriateness, etc. I use this all the time and I don't get stalled by gauges.
http://www.cara4webshopping.com/cara_free/knitcomp.htm
fran
http://martianmischief.blogspot.com/ |
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suek137
Chatty Knitter
340 Posts |
Posted - 03/10/2006 : 06:33:29 AM
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| Tabby - if you could get your hands on the book Stitch N beach Nation, they have an entire section devoted to how to rewrite a pattern with a different gauge yarn. It is well written and I have found it very easy to understand. All you need is are some very basic little math skills. |
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lizknit
Permanent Resident
USA
1179 Posts |
Posted - 03/10/2006 : 10:52:05 AM
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quote:
Originally posted by fmarrs
Download this program and play with it.
fran
What a handy little program. Thanks, Fran!
The cat, the only self-cleaning appliance in the house |
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Tabby2002
Warming Up
Canada
87 Posts |
Posted - 03/10/2006 : 5:23:21 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by fmarrs
Download this program and play with it. Sometimes a few words fail to download so if you run across that, email me and I'll tell you what words go there. With this program you can switch any pattern from the gauge in which it was written into the gauge that you have. That will take care of the mathmatical problem. Be aware, however that sometimes things don't translate well as it does not take into consideration drape, appropriateness, etc. I use this all the time and I don't get stalled by gauges.
http://www.cara4webshopping.com/cara_free/knitcomp.htm
fran
http://martianmischief.blogspot.com/
I downloaded it and tried it but I must confess I am not understanding what it is meaning...I typed in the 18 stitches in 4 inches of the yarn called for in the pattern, then I went to the next section and typed how many stitches would get me the 4 inches in the yarn I have to use for the sweater. It then converts to how many stitches in one inch that I would get with each...which was something I already had figured out.
So then is it telling me that the 9 stitches per inch that I'd get with my yarn is what I'm working with? I thought it would tell me how many stitches I need to cast on with my yarn so that it would equal to the 18 sts in 4 inches of the larger yarn...
I must be missing something...
http://kittenyarnsandcrafts.blogspot.com
Come visit my blog sometime! |
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fmarrs
Guardian angel
USA
9776 Posts |
Posted - 03/11/2006 : 11:20:37 AM
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Yes, go on down further to the conversions from pattern to my machine. You have to fill in all three sections to get your answer and then hit all three refresh buttons. The bottom section will have your conversions in it.
Section one--the gauge in the pattern
section two--the gauge you are getting
section three--type in the numbers in the pattern
Hit all three refresh buttons for your answer.
You don't have to remember this. Just put your cursor over the spot for the numbers and it will tell you what to put in there.
fran
http://martianmischief.blogspot.com/ |
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Tabby2002
Warming Up
Canada
87 Posts |
Posted - 03/11/2006 : 3:33:14 PM
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Fran, thanks for the explaination. I'll let you know how it turns out for me. Have to work on a couple of my papers right now, but when I get the chance to play with it I'll let you know how I do 
http://kittenyarnsandcrafts.blogspot.com
Come visit my blog sometime! |
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