Can I double up cotton yarn

Hi everyone, I need some advice on cotton yarn, I have some Drops Safran cotton yarn, but having recently been knitting with 3mm needles and fine merino wool I decided to double the cotton yarn so that it will work up more quickly! (lazy I know) I’ve worked a swatch using 4mm needles and it turns out really well with 5 stitches to the inch, I think I could even go to a slightly larger needle size . Is this really workable or will seams etc. be too bulky, and if I can get away with it, what weight of yarn should I look for when deciding on a pattern. I do realize that I shall have to order more yarn as well. Looking forward to hearing from you.

What are you making? Do you have a particular pattern in mind?
Do you like the feel of the knit fabric in your swatch? Does it have the amount of drape that you would like? The seams will be bulkier than they would be if you held the yarn single but if the pliability of the swatch is reasonable, they should be fine.
As long as you’re making a swatch (good going there!), you might try going up a needle size to see what the knit fabric is like.
Cotton is more difficult to work than wool because of the lack of stretch and give but if you don’t mind that it will work.

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Hi salmonmac, thank you for your reply, I’m hoping to make a short, collarless cardigan/jacket, long sleeves with top button closure in a simple design for the summer. I haven’t found a pattern as yet. I have changed my needle size to 5mm to see how it works and it seems to be softer and more relaxed.
what yarn weight should I be looking for in a pattern - as I’m not experienced enough to adapt a pattern to suit?

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Hello

Drops saffannis in their yarn group A (fingering weight). 2 strands of group A worked together make a weight equivalent of their group C yarn. This means you can use a group C (aran wieght) pattern and work to the same gauge given in the pattern.
Here’s link to their yarn weights

You can search their site for group C patterns or look elsewhere for patterns with a suitable gauge.

Obviously it depends if you like the fabric and so on.
You have mentioned working on 4mm which would be the standard size for yarn group B (DK) and I would expect 2 strands of group A, to be in a bigger needle, maybe 5mm. You might just try swatch, it I’ll have more drape.

Drops also have patterns for their yarns with strands of a second yarn worked together, you might find a pattern you like which uses safran plus another Drops yarn together for instance. Somewhere there is a page of swatch samples with various yarns worked together too, for general browsing, I imagine you can’t really tell what it’s like until it’s worked up and in your hand.

Just an example of a pattern with 2 strands, one is safran

Ravelry has an advance filter to search for gauge you want to work at which you might try too.

I just saw you’d like a cardigan design

Two strands of fingering may put you into the light worsted weight category but there’s an easy way to figure this out. You have your good-sized swatch! Measure the sts/inch across the middle 2 or 4 inches of the swatch and then it will be more straightforward to pick a pattern. Gauge is going to be the clearest guide.
Let us know what you get as it will help.

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Thank you both for your help I can now get down to choosing my pattern ! I’ll let you know.

There are a few techniques for doing flat seams that add no bulk at all. Not sure how well they would work around an armhole, but you could use them for the sides and underarms at least.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FtjQohTDp4Y&ab_channel=RokoleeDIY

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QShSGekn_Fo&ab_channel=RoxanneRichardson

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You can test what the seams would be like by seaming your swatch into a tube, or joining your first swatch to your second swatch (the slight difference in tension won’t matter for assessing how the seams come out).

I imagine you could seam your project with one strand of cotton, and that would help too.

Maybe a slight hint of the Chanel-style jacket would be nice? You could use a textured stitch pattern, perhaps.

Knitting designer Jean Frost has published many patterns on this theme. You could have a look on Ravelry or see whether your local library has any of her books. (Not saying you have to use her patterns but they might be a nice inspiration.)

It’s not easy to get her patterns any more, apart from those published in books. She did many lovely designs for Knitter’s Magazine over the years, but it ceased publication and then the publisher itself closed down, so no PDF reissues or digital back issues of the magazine, unfortunately.

Still, you might be inspired by some of the design touches to add to an easily accessible cardigan pattern.

Have fun knitting!

I have a heap of Safran in my stash and will look forward to seeing your results if you are able to post a photo.

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Thank you kushami I shall certainly look up Jean Frost, I haven’t started knitting yet but will try to send a photo when I finish.

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Thank you ColoCro for the advice on seams, I still have to choose a pattern but these will be very helpful.