I am working on a project for a friend with a pattern that called for worsted yarn with Size 7 needles. My friend purchased all of the yarn, but chose light worsted instead of worsted. I’ve been knitting with it, but the process feels harder than it should and everything seems too loose. Should I be using smaller needles?
Hello
I would make a good sized swatch with the size 7, then another with a smaller needle (what needle is recommended on the ball band, and does the gauge differ from that given in the pattern?), and then wash or block both and compare the fabric and gauge to see which you like the best and which would work best for the project.
If you make a pattern with any yarn that isn’t the one given in the pattern then it’s going to turn out different to the pattern picture, and this may or may not be a problem, or preferable. I frequently sub yarns but I’m also willing to make the pattern modifications that this might entail, or even to switch to a different pattern if I feel the yarn and pattern aren’t suitable for one another.
If you go down a needle size the gauge will alter and you may need to modify the pattern to ensure the size comes out as needed, but the fabric may seem more suitable and you might enjoy the knitting process more.
On the other hand, I’ve made sweaters using a lighter yarn than the pattern calls for, but the same needle size, creating a more open fabric, with more drape, on purpose because I actually like the softer fabric. Working with finer yarn on larger needles can take a bit of getting used to, or can just feel way too uncomfortable. So, it’s all about testing with the swatches and considering what changes might need to be done to the pattern, and if this is something you feel comfortable tackling, or not, before making the final decision.
What’s the name of the pattern and designer? There may be examples of finished projects in different yarns on ravelry which could help with the decision process.
Thank you so much! This information is incredibly helpful.
The pattern is the Watercolors blanket by Susan Barstein (I love working with her patterns and I’ve done this piece before with DK cotton and it worked out great).
The yarn calls for a 5-6 size needle.
I did a small sample with size 6 needles (but I will probably do something larger per your advice). The knitting process was so much easier, so I think that will be the way I go.
Now I just need to decide if I need to make any changes in the pattern (which is scary because I have no idea how to approach this task). Are there any rules of thumb on how to do this?
Again, I greatly appreciate your help!!
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As it’s a blanket, the main effect will be that it will come out a bit smaller on smaller needles. Your swatches will help you decide if it will still be a good size or not.
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Thank you!
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Great pattern, the different texures will be fun to work.
From your swatch in the smaller needle work out the gauge, ow many sts per 10 cm. From here you can work out what size the blanket will be if you follow the stitch count as given but on the smaller needle.
Stitches per 10 cm ÷ 10 = sts per 1 cm
Stutch count on blanket pattern ÷ sts per cm = number of cm width for finished blanket.
If you’re happy about the size of the smaller blanket just follow the pattern. If you’re not then alter the stitch count. Work out how many cm more you need and multiply by stitches per cm, this gives a close idea to how many you need to add.
Then, take into account each textured stripe needs a multiple of a certain number of stitches to make the pattern work. As you’ve worked the blanket before you might remmber if you did, or did not, need to alter the stitch count as a new stripe began. If you don’t remember you can read through the pattern to check. If there are changes we can help with those. If there is a constant stitch count throughout the pattern you’ll still need to know the multiple to ensure your new stitch count works.
Do the same gauge check on the rows to see how the length will work out and if you need to work some extra rows in each texture band.
One more thing, altering the size may alter the amount of yarn needed. There are a couple of ways to estimate the amount of yarn needed but no guarantee it will be 100% accurate.
Let us know how you get on.