Another gauge question

Okay, so since pride is coming up and I wanted to manipulate a basic tshirt pattern for pride, I finished the back of the violin sweater and then started on this one. (I also have to make socks for my sister’s partner’s birthday which was two days ago… gaaaah I need to focus in on one pattern)

So I’m doing this pattern: https://www.originallylovely.com/knitting/perfect-t-shirt-knitting-pattern/

Where I am confused is the yarn they used says 23 stitches and 16 rows to 4 inches. The pattern says 22 stitches and 28 rows. The yarn I’m using… just says 22-24 stitches and doesn’t give me rows. (https://yarnsub.com/yarns/estelle/double_knit)

So I’m using size 6 like the pattern says and I’m averaging about 6.2 rows to an inch so far as I can tell. (I’m at 20 rows and 2 rounds and it’s at 3.5 inches) but then when it says work even until piece is 7.5 inches, and I need to do 28 rounds before the end of the increases, wouldn’t that take me past 7.5 inches?

So my main question is do I go up or down a needle size to get it more correct for the gauge?

Nice tee!
The recommendations on the yarn is just that, a recommendation. You may knit differently and get a different gauge on another size needle. That’s all fine. You’re correct that you can change the needle size to change the stitch and row gauge.

If you’re averaging 6.2rows per inch then 28rows should take about 4.5 inches. If that gets added to the current 3.5 inches then you’d be slightly over 7.5 inches (about 8 inches total).
You might drop down a needle size to get more rows per inch but you’re also going to affect stitch gauge and you may not want to tighten that up.

It’s probably better to work your increases more frequently. For example, instead of every 4 rounds, work in a few increases with a 3 round spacing. You’ll have to tailor this to your number of increases in the pattern.

Sounds like lots of good knitting going on.

The increases are currently every other round, so would doing it every round just kind of cause a hole?

Also if it is just a bit past the 7.5 inches is it basically just gonna add length to the top?

I think your solution of just going with the extra length is a good one. You may be able to shorten before or after the increases but an extra half inch should be fine.

Just in general–the stitch gauge given on the yarn band is useful for determining if you can substitute one yarn for another, but in terms of a project it’s much more important to match the gauge given in the pattern. We all knit very differently, and I know my gauge changes if I switch from bamboo to steel needles, so test your gauge usuing the needles you plan to use for the project. I, too, need to learn to focus on only one (or maybe two!) projects at a time, so I feel your pain!

3 Likes

For sure and since the Estelle yarn said 22 stitches, I did assume that it would match and it was only when I was measuring it after joining in the round and trying to math it out that I was like wait a second is this actually matching. I’ve got an interchangeable needle set that I’ve been using lately because I like being able to curl up instead of always having my neck bent at an awkward angle. (I also play piano/teach piano so sometimes my back just nopes out if I’ve been practicing and knitting in the same day)

1 Like