Hi there,
I am trying to substitute one yarn for another and am trying to compare gauges. For instance, the pattern for this one yarn (discontinued and European) says:
4x4" = 14 sts and 20 rows using size 11 needles.
This is the yarn I want to substitute:
4x4" = 20 sts and 26 rows using size 7 needles.
How do I compare these 2 using such different size needles? Is it simple algebra?
TIA
Sort of. You might try doubling the thinner yarn to see if it works up to 14 sts/4" on size 11s, or maybe 13s. If you want to use the yarn single stranded there’s a couple ways to go about it. Find out what gauge [I]you[/I] get on size 7 or 8 needles and multiply times the measurement you want the item to come out at. See if there’s a larger size that has close to that number of stitches and use it, adjusting for length.
Or convert the st numbers in the pattern to inches and those inches into the sts you’d get in your gauge.
Problem is, I haven’t bought the new yarn. I’m looking on the web first.
When the gauge is that different it’s not all that easy to do. What is the pattern? Do you have a link?
It isn’t that easy, though it can be done. There could be a similar pattern that uses a yarn and needle closer to what you’ve got.