Hello All - help with pattern

#1

Hi All

I’m Nick, new here and my first post! I’ve been knitting seriously for the last few years, and finally to a stage where I want to attempt to knit something from scratch changing a pattern to suit what I want to make.

I want to make a cardigan and have found an old pattern that I want to adapt to make my the garment, the only issue is it’s knitted on 5mm needles and I want to use a chunky yarn that uses size 10!

Logic tells me that if I halve the stitch count and rows that it should in theory come out right, however before I go to the expense of buying everything I wanted to check!

If anyone has attempted this or has any advice would be appreciated!

Thanks

Nick

#2

Welcome to the forum!
What is the name of your pattern and designer?
You’re really designing this sweater all over again. You’ll need to work a swatch with your yarn and needles to see what your gauge (stitches/inch) is. A single skein of your yarn is enough to get this information. Then you’ll have a better idea of stitch and row number.
The sweater probably won’t just size up with the chunky yarn but will take some experimenting to get the proportions (length, width) correct. This isn’t to discourage you but just to say that there will be more to the design process including a bit of trial and error.
There are some books and online resources that can help.
Ann Budd’s book “The Knitters Handy Book of Sweater Patterns: Basic Designs in Multiple Sizes and Gauges” is worth looking at for general guidance. Often it’s in the public library.
I’m sure there’ll be other helpful advice on the forum. Let us know how it’s going. This is an exciting adventure!

#3

Thanks for your response. The pattern is by StitchesByArtgaze for a men’s jacket shawl collared cardigan - the basic cardigan I’m not worried about but the shawl collar is exactly what I’m after and have not done one before.

I also want to add pockets and am obviously on the right track as was thinking the first starting point would to start knitting swatches to test the sizing and master adding the pockets before starting the project

I have done a tension swatch already which matches exactly half of that shown in the pattern which then made me think my initial thoughts about halving everything might be correct.

#4

That all sounds good. Often the shawl collars are worked as short rows. There’s a technique to working them but it’s do-able. We’ll all be happy to help when the time comes.
There are various ways to add pockets so it’s just a matter of deciding which you would like.
Here are some ideas.

Looks like you’ve made a good start!

#5

Since you’re exploring and trying out new things you might want to consider going really wild and crazy and try out seamless pockets. This is my preferred method of doing pockets. The link below should take you to the pocket portion of the video.

Seamless Inset Pocket: 17:34

Could you share a photo of the cardigan or is there a link to it you could post? I’d like to see what the shawl collar looks like. Is it added after the main knitting is done or as the cardigan is made?

#6

This is the pattern I have

#7

I want to adapt to something like this

IMG_2623

IMG_2622 IMG_2621

#8

I’ve done a similar cardigan but without the shawl collar and pockets so it’s just the reductions around the neck/back and adding the collar that I need the pattern for - the patch pockets I’ve got my head around!

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#9

Thanks for the responses and help it’s much appreciated ladies!

1 Like
#10

Hello
Not sure here if you mean 10mm needles or US size 10.
I adapt patterns and every sweater is a new learning experience.
My first thought is that whilst your stitch and row gauge might be fine halved for a square or blanket to acheive the same size, there comes an added level of calculation when it comes to any kind of shaping required in a piece of clothing.
If, for example, there is shaping to bind off or decrease by 1 stitch each end every 2 rows, you can’t just bind off half a stitch every row, a decision has to be made about how to shape and slope. With short rows in a shawl neck collar I would expect this to add a substantial amount of trial an error an experimentation to get the short row shaping smooth, correct looking, the size you want and so on working within the parameters of a pattern for a different gauge.
I’m not saying it isn’t possible, only highlighting what comes to my mind so you can ask yourself if you are prepared for this. If you are, great, go for it. If it’s starting to sound lie a bit too much design and maths calculation for you right now then maybe more research is needed before going ahead.
If it was me I’d hunt down a shawl collar pattern in the gauge or needle size I want to work in and then adapt that, maybe even reading through the pattern to see if I could add a button band and shawl collar from one pattern (in the right gauge) to another pattern (which is not the right gauge but I know how to size it with my chosen gauge). Or I’d try a swatch of the short rows involved in the pattern with the chunky yarn and larger needles and just see what problems and solutions arise from the swatch.
I’m definitely not well practised with short rows…but the little I know makes me feel the shawl collar is
the tricky part here, not the bulk of the cardigan. If the hardest part to alter is the most important feature, well, it would give me second thoughts.

#11

This pattern may help with shaping the shawl collar:


It’s a free download from Ravelry. You can alter the rib pattern and depth of the collar but it’ll give you an idea of the short row shaping that is one way to make the shawl collar.

#12

Brilliant - will collate it all and together and start with doing some test swatches to check the sizing

#13

If the pattern you’re working from has a schematic, that will be extremely helpful as you progress, in terms of getting the shaping right for the armholes and neckline.

If there isn’t a schematic, you could create your own by measuring a sweater that you like the fit of. Measure across from Center Front/Center Back to various points on the armhole, to get the right curves. For the neckline and shoulder slope, you could measure up from the bottom edge.

A Ravelry search on “shawl collar cardigan bulky men’s”, under Patterns, brings up several options that might be better starting points for creating your dream!


1 Like
#14

Yes all understood, good points - the maths I don’t mind, but think you’re right in relation to trial and error! Altering another pattern isn’t something I’ve done before but to be fair I’m sort of excited to try!

#15

Excellent and thanks for the patterns! I’m looking to start around October time so plenty of stuff to go through from this thread before I start!

#16

Thanks for all the help again everyone just to clarify the pattern uses 5mm needles and I’m looking to use 10mm

#17

And that’s the best way to be.
It will be a brilliant journey and there’s lots of help and support here to ask questions and share your progress too.