Hello everyone! I am knitting a cardigan sweater. It’s a “Mona Cardigan”. The gauge is 14 sts and 16 rows = 4", using double thickness yarn and 7mm needles over a stockinette stitch…I am using Mary Maxim Woodlands Yarn, which is a worsted weight yarn. I got the gauge for the 14 sts across, but my length for 16 rows is only 3.5". The pattern requires that I knit 20 rows 2 colours combined, then 30 rows in single colour but double strand and then 20 rows single colour, double strand. I am not prepared to change my needles as all I have a wood needles so I am trying to adjust the number of rows to give me the proper length. I have to admit, my math really sucks… If 16 rows = 4", then 20 rows = 5" and 30 rows = 7.5". However as my length gauge is 16 rows = 3.5" how do I adjust how mamy rows will give me the right gauge length? Is it as simple as knitting the rows, see what the measurement is and add rows to give me the 5" for the 20 rows and 7.5" for the 30 rows? There has to be a simple calculation so I’m not guessing… Any ideas?
Adjusting row count for gauge
According to the pattern gauge of 16rows/4" (4rows/inch) you’re correct and almost there. The 20rows would take 5" and the 30rows, 7.5". You can use those measurements as you knit and you’ll be just fine, just as you suggest.
Your gauge is 16rows/3.5" which is 4.6rows/inch. At that gauge, 5" would take 23rows and 7.5" would take 34.5rows (say 35rows).
[You can get that number of rows this way; To estimate the number of rows multiply the row gauge per inch times the number of inches required (4.6rows x 5"= 23rows or
4.6 x 7.5"=34.5rows).]
This is the really pretty cardigan. Nice distribution of colors and soft design.
It would be so nice if patterns gave length measurement with number of rows. Getting stitch and row gauge is close to impossible for most knitters.
That is great? I will keep your notes iny “Knitting Notes” doc for future reference! As it turns out 22 rows gave me my 5". I don’t think I can go to an uneven number as I am doing a reverse stockinette stitch and I worry it will screw up the flow from one colour to the next. But if I go just one row back, (23 to 22 and 34 instead of 35 I should be ok. Thanks for your help. And yes, Grumpy Grandma it would be nice…
Not sure if I shd have put this under “Pattern Question”, so I apologize if it’s in the wrong place. 🫤
I have another question, not related to gauge. I am not sure where to start the decrease. It states to change to 7mm needles and Rev st st stripes, dec 2 sts (for my size) in the first row.
On the next paragraph it says "On each edge of foll 14th row cast off 1 st 4 times… Do I do this decrease in conjunction with the stripes or after. Normally I get an “At the same time…”. But not this time… I have a sneaky suspicion I am going to have to undo my work back to row 14… Would appreciate some help…
It’s not as clear as it could be. An “at the same time” directions would have been appreciated.
However , the decreases are over all and regardless of the stripe pattern. I would read it as: at the same time on each edge of the foll 14th rows…
I thought as much and pulled out the rows down to 14… It really helps having an expert’s confirmation… Have a great day. I’ll be sure to post it when it’s done…
Been just as confused with some of my own patterns. Looking forward to seeing this cardigan.