I’ve been knitting for about a year and want desperately to foray into design. Before making the leap, though, I would like to have a better understanding of the interaction between fiber, needle size and gauge.
Can anyone give any information about how these three factors interact to produce different kinds of fabrics? Especially with regard to drape and the ability of the fabric to hold a more rigid shape (as in a collar).
Thanks
The best way is to knit with different fibres and needle sizes, that is the only way to get a good understanding of how they act. Generally a thicker wool on smaller needles=a stiff dense warm fabric, a thinner wool or larger needles will give a more netlike fabric (if thin enough). Most wools when knit at their recommended gauge will give a fabric that the manufacturer considers in-between those two extremes: not too netty but still has a nice drape. Research more online.
Sarah