Hello,
I am starting my first circular project (It’s the Oats cowlfrom the simple knits collection) and I was wondering what the ramifications would be if I went down a size in needles. I’ve gone a few rows on the recommended size 8, and I think it looks really loose and messy. (maybe the “messy” is my technique…I’m not sure.) The yarn I’m using is Rowan Belle Organic Aran, and gives the recommendation on the ball for size 7. (this is on the 8 circulars)
I tried a little sample on my straight 7 needles, and I can actually see the ribbing, whereas I can’t on the size 8 circulars.
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If I start over on 7s, will I have enough yarn? What are the other ramifications of this change that I might not be considering?
I have 5 balls of appx. 98 yards for a total of 490 yards. I’m doing the long cowl, so the recommendation is for 400 yards.
Any advice is appreciated!
On this pattern changing needles size shouldn’t matter much. You might have a smaller diameter but it’s a long cowl.
[I] 18 sts and 22 rows / 4" in stockinette stitch 14 sts and 28 rows / 4" in garter stitch (don’t worry about gauge if this is your first knitting project) [/I]
Note that it says you don’t have to worry about gauge. If you prefer the results with smaller needles, use smaller needles. Also, the suggested needle size really is a starting point for figuring out which size needles you’ll actually use. Sometimes you’ll use that size, sometimes you might use smaller, and other times larger, needles. This looks like a fun knit and it would be great to see a picture when you’re done. If you get worried about running out of yarn, just do fewer rows of stockinette and bind off sooner. You could weight the cowl when you’ve done the rib at the beginning and see how much yarn you’ll need to finish the other side and the bind off. When you have about that much yarn left, start the rib for the other side. HTH
I don’t think that you will run out of yarn if you move down a needle size. Do you own a kitchen scale? I have one that I use if it looks like I’m going to be close to running out of yarn for a project.
As far as what size to use, that would be a matter of personal preference. Are you a member of ravelry.com? You could look to see what comments ravelers are making about this yarn and this project.
You might consider making a 4X4 swatch and washing it as you would the finished project. This may help you make a decision as to which size needle to use.
Thank you for the advice! I think I’m going to go ahead and try it on the smaller needles and not change anything else and see how it goes.
I don’t have a kitchen scale at the moment, but we might get one some time before thanksgiving. How does one use a scale to estimate yarn length?
I’ll try to remember to take a photo when I’m all done. It might take a while, though. I’m a bit slow, so far.
There are various ways to use a scale to estimate yard length. I use the gram measurement of weight because it is easier for me to calculate than ounces. For instance, the yarn I am currently using states on the label that it is 100 grams and 284 yards, so 1 gram is equal to 2.84 yards. I weigh the ball of yarn before beginning a section, possibly several rows, maybe a pattern repeat; then I weigh the ball of yarn after and deduct the difference, multiply the grams used by 2.84 yards in this case.
This looks like a great project, have fun knitting it! We love seeing photos of other knitter’s work, feel free to post your progress.
Happy Knitting :knitting:
Well, the good news is this didn’t take me as long as I thought it would! (see the product here) However…
I’ve learned a few lessons.
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I maybe should have added some stitches for length to make up for the smaller stitches. I thought I’d potentially have to use more yarn to get the width of the thing (10 inches) going round and round a little extra, but that doesn’t seem to be how it worked out. I didn’t even have to break into that last ball.
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Check how elastic the bind off is BEFORE you finish. I neglected this, and I don’t like my bind off at all. The bind off and cast on were both basic knitted ones, and the cast on is way stretcher and forgiving. But the bind off is so tight, combined with not having added some length, that it’s hard to get two wraps around my head. It’s a tight fit. Too tight. But not wrapped is too long. Hrm.
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Be sure you’re really ok where you are on the whole thing BEFORE cutting the yarn. (Related to point #2…)
Currently, strategizing how to find a way to salvage it into a useable piece of neck-wear. I think I’m still able to undo the bind off, but then, because I cut it, I’ll probably be short yarn doing it over looser.
Creative thoughts? I’m considering tediously undoing the bind off and going back down a few rows, and joining back to the ball of yarn I cut from.
If I do this, should I just try the same bind off (basic knitted, as per tutorial from the simple knits collection) but be even looser? Or try a different one altogether?
That’s really nice. It’s easily deserving a stretchier BO.
Knitted Lace Bind Off
You might try the BO in the video. Reworking at least part of the last round before the BO is probably a good idea. You could join the new yarn near the end of the last round and just redo a few stitches. Removing the BO will probably be easier than you expect. You’re not the only one to find a BO is too tight. I’m glad I found that video posted here.
The cowl looks lovely and the stitch definition is beautiful!
Yes, that’s a nice bind off that GG linked to which will give you more stretch because it will take up more yarn. You might also try the same bind off that you used but go up one or two needle sizes on the right hand needle. That’ll form the bind off sts with more yarn and loosen the result.
Undoing the binding stitch by stitch onto a needle like this isn’t so difficult even with the large number of sts that you have.
Doing a gauge swatch really does help with estimating width no matter whether the pattern requires it or not. It also gives you a chance to see and feel the knit fabric before you cast on 100-200sts.
I did the knitted lace bind-off, and I like it a lot better.
But now my edges aren’t matching. I’m not sure what went wrong here. It looks like I’m two rows higher than I started. How did I do that?
That’s really nice. You should be very pleased. Garter stitch isn’t as “tall” as stockinette. To have them match you can use short rows to add an extra row of GS every so often. Depending on your yarn, just a guess I’ve never done it, you might be able to block them match. I like it just as it is. When it’s around your neck the difference will not be noticed.
So I tweaked a few stitches to pull the ones on the last row a little tighter, and it seems to match up much better now. I’ve woven in the ends, and blocked it and I’m all done! Thanks for all the help!
It’s beautiful. Very well done. Enjoy wearing it.
Love it! It looks great and it’s a wonderful color.
It’s beautiful. Very well done. Enjoy wearing it.