How to convert size/guage?

Hello all,
I don’t know how to start this hat I want to do. I am doing a matching hat for a scarf I made with Bernat Bamboo yarn.

Here’s my problem: The pattern at http://www.headhuggers.org/patterns/kpatt01.htm calls for 1 100gm. skein of worsted yarn and size 7 needles. Gauge is 5 stitches = 1 inch. And finally, to cast on 100 stitches.

Here is what the Bamboo yarn says: Bulky 5; 14s 20R for 4x4 inches; size 10 needles; 60 grams

SO! how do I convert it, how many stitches should I cast on with what size needle; and more importantly, will this one skein be enough? If not, I’ll get a coordinating color and stick in a stripe maybe.

I hope someone can help - I’m dying to start this. (It’s a gift - I already gave her the scarf and she did want a matching hat. YAY!)

Brenda

Well, this might be a bit of trail and error, but I would cast on a few stitches - say around 20-25 - with the size needles recommended by the pattern - in this case, size 7. I would knit a few rows in the pattern design, around 8-10, and then check the guage with a ruler. If you are getting 5 stitches to an inch with that yarn, then you are in guage for your pattern.

However, you have chosen a yarn marked “bulky” for a pattern marked “worsted,” and it’s going to be VERY difficult to get 5 stitches to an inch with size 7 needles. If you find that using a smaller size needle in order to get 5 stitches to an inch makes the work soooooo tight that it’s no longer any fun to knit, then you’ll have to pick a different yarn for your pattern, and save your bamboo bulky for a different project.


Corvette gtp

No way can you get 5 sts/in with bulky yarn and size 7 needles and you shouldn’t. I’d advise you to go up to size 11 needles or at least 10½s and convert the pattern. You will have to knit a sample with the needles you use to find out how many sts/inch you do get with them. Then look at the pattern and figure out how many inches the CO sts make, then convert the inches to your sts/inch and that will give you the CO number for your thick yarn and needles. The length should be given in inches, so just measure. Follow the decs, only you’ll do less of them per round than the original because you’ll be starting with less sts.

Thank you so much! I guess I’ll do a swatch with 10.5 first and see if that’s gives a nice tight pattern. She lives in Oregon, (I imagine it gets pretty cold in the winter) so I don’t want it to come out too loose.

Again, thank you!!

It depends where she lives in Oregon; along the coast, it rains so yeah a tight knit hat will keep her head dry. Around Bend it snows, though it’s not usually really cold. And eastern Oregon isn’t usually too cold either. Portland/Salem can go either way - rainy or not too cold.

I forgot to mention, using such thick yarn, you might want to make it half inch larger on the cuff. Bulkier yarns are smaller on the inside than the outside because of the thickness.

What does that mean? Cast on a half inch more? Good to know, I never would have done that, thank you!

It’s something I’ve read. I don’t work much with bulky yarn, generally for scarves or shawls if I do, so it doesn’t matter as much. But for a hat or mitts or a sweater, it might make a difference.