Convert DK pattern to 4-ply

How-to Questions
1

I have some really great DK patterns for babies’ and toddlers’ knits. Sometimes I really don’t like the chunky look that the garments end up having, even though the illustrations also look that way. I prefer knitting little people’s garments in 4-ply, but the 4-ply patterns for kids are SO boring!
Does anyone have any suggestions as to how I could convert a DK pattern to a 4-ply pattern?
Thanks!!

2

If you go to the “Conversion help Please” post a bit down…I asked the same question…

There’s some math involved…
I too like the finer knits. :slight_smile:

all involves first getting a gauge swatch of your desired yarn!!

3

I thought 4 ply was similar to DK, maybe just a little thinner.

4

Hi Sue,
In South Africa, we use the UK terms and measures, which differ slightly from those used in USA.

      Yarn Weight Equivalents 
  UK                                                US  
 4-ply                                       Sportweight

Doubleknitting Worsted
Aran Fisherman or Medium weight
Chunky Bulky

I think the above may help explain?? I got this from a knitting site. Are those indeed the names you use in America?

Thanks for advice, Heather. Will take a look.:wink:

5

Now THAT I’ve not a clue!! :slight_smile:

thoughts?

6

It just gets a little complicated because for some weights, there aren’t exact US/UK equivalents.
This is the order of weights/thicknesses in UK yarns–

  1. Lace
  2. Fingering/Sock/2-3 ply
  3. 4 ply
  4. Double Knitting
  5. Aran
  6. Bulky

In the US, 4 ply is sports weight, and then the problem is that American worsted falls between Double Knitting and Aran. But more to the point, which is how to convert the yarns. If the jumper/sweater/cardi has a simple construction, that is, no shoulder shaping, just a boxy style body with attached sleeves, you will be able to do this. Just figure out your guage, and then adjust the number of stitches to fit the measurements of the garment. But if the sleeves are set in, there’s shaping involved, then it gets a bit more complicated because you have to deal with not only the stitch guage, but the row guage, and that’s trickier. What you might want to do is figure out your average guage in 4 ply, and then comb patterns looking for that guage. Hope this helps!

7

Oops, forgot to mention that the closest thing to American worsted weight is the UK 10-ply, which is harder to find, now.

8

Anyway, one way to convert the patterns is look at the gauge, then see what you get with your yarn. Convert their sts into inches and take those inches and convert into you gauge.