Correcting pattern for different weight yarn

#1

Hi folks,

I’m new to the forum but have used the glossary and love its talking instructions!

My question: I have a sweater pattern for my grandson that calls for sport weight yarn. My guage suggests using 5 needles, though the pattern says 6. But I did not like the sport weight yarn selection, but found a deep red worsted weight that I liked and that looks like it would make a better sweater anyway. The skein cover suggests size 8 needles. Can I convert this pattern somehow, or would it do if I just made a smaller size than I was planning? The pattern gives sizing for 6, 12, 18 and 24 months; I was going to go with 24. Would it work to scale it to 18? Since he’s a growing baby, obviously a little larger than necessary is not so bad, but I don’t want it to come out too ridiculous.

Thanks for any help.

Trish

#2

Trish-
I just did a similar thing, taking a pattern written for worsted weight and making it with super bulky. It just takes some diligent calculating. Use the needle size that is suggested for the yarn you’ll be using, assuming you get their gauge (you might need to go up or down a size). Then adjust the pattern proportionately. For example, imagine a pattern that says to cast on 50 stitches of a gauge that is 5 stitches to the inch. This would result in a 10 width of knitted fabric. But say you’re using yarn & needles that give you 4 stitches to the inch. You still would want 10 inches of fabric, so you would only cast on 40 stitches (4 stitches/inch times 10 inches).
Keep in mind that you also need to do this with the row gauge as well.
Sometimes the numbers don’t come out perfectly so you have to round them up or down as best you can.
It really helps to convert the entire pattern before you begin, although this seems tedious… it will make for smoother knitting.
Good luck!

#3

Trish, thanks for asking the question. I am thinking of taking a pattern for a bulky sweater and converitn it to worsted wt.

Viki, thanks for posting the answer. I’m not sure I will get the conversion right but I’m going to try.

Bambi

#4

I found this chartfor yarn (gauge) conversion - but you need to know your gauge to use it. Have you knit up a swatch yet?