How do you "downsize" a pattern?

#1

Hi everyone, I am working a cable hat pattern, co 90sts… using US 7 in the round, I want to make it for a toddler…At least half that…How do you re-figure the pat stitch to accommodate a smaller hat? Is there a “mathematical way” to do this? Thanks all :hug: Cheley

#2

Most patterns will have a statement of what the pattern repeat is. If not, you can figure out how many stitches each repeat is and just subtract that from the pattern, especially if you’re repeating between * and *, that’s usually the pattern repeat. Just reduce that number.

#3

:shrug: Well, let’s put it this way: This is a “homemade” pat to begin with: I do k1p1 rib for a few rws, followed by st st for a couple, then I am to p3,k8 for 2rws then beg the cab part, p3,c4b,c4f, then p3,k8 for 7rws, then work that cab row again,p3,k8 for 2rws,then p3,k1,p2,k2,p2,k1 for 2rws, then 2rws of p3,k8, then the cable row then p3 k8…:zombie: so not sure where theand is for pat repeat…:chair: Helpppppppp

#4

Okay, the cable pattern is worked over 11 sts alternating cables rows with plain rows. So you would dec by a couple/three sets of 11. However, 11 doesn’t go in to 90, is there an extra st at the beginning and end of the row? You’d probably want to CO about 55 or 66 sts plus whatever is extra.

#5

Wow, that’s amazing…how did you figure that out?

#6

:teehee: We knitters are also math geniuses. :thumbsup:

#7

It’s here, in the part that’s repeated…
“to p3,k8 for 2rws then beg the cab part, p3,c4b,c4f, then p3,k8 for 7rws, then work that cab row again,p3,k8 for 2rws,then p3,k1,p2,k2,p2,k1 for 2rws, then 2rws of p3,k8, then the cable row then p3 k”

See all those p3, k8 and p3, c4b/c4f etc? That’s 11 sts. But there still must be a coupla stray sts somewhere because 11 times 8 = 88 not 90.

#8

:whistle: No wonder I can’t knit…I flunked math several times in school:roflhard: I should of known that degree in pysch wouldn’t get me anywhere…!!!
Guess I better take up latch hook rugs!!!

#9

When you learn math in school, you don’t see a use for it. When your knitting depends on it–then you learn. :rofl:

#10

Cheley said

:whistle: No wonder I can’t knit…I flunked math several times in school:roflhard: I should of known that degree in pysch wouldn’t get me anywhere…!!!
Guess I better take up latch hook rugs!!!

I agree with you knitting is hard enough but math too :eyes: :wall: :tap:

#11

If it were me… Personally I would use smaller needles maybe…and thinner yarn and maybe do a swatch to see how it looks. :shrug:

#12

Oh math is easy, it’s just numbers. Now algebra and trig…