I bought some yarn that is almost as thin as thread to make a shawl with. I’ve tried to start a number of times, but it looks like a snarled mess each time. Is there some trick to using this type of yarn? I’m using size thirteen needles, too. I seem to have an easier time with smaller needles.
If you tell us the name of the yarn and give a link to the pattern (if you’re using one) it helps when asking questions.
If you are not using a pattern you might want to try using smaller needles. That’s awfully large even for lace. What stitch are you doing?
It is just knits and yarnovers. Cast on three stitches. Then knit, yarnover, knit, till you get 40 stitches. I am at work so I don’t have the yarn label in front of me. I’ll have to repost with that information.
Okay, it sounds like you’re making a triangle shawl/scarf. If you’re using fingering or lace weight yarn size 13 needles is probably a bit large and makes it more difficult. I knit a lacy scarf recently and use fingering weight and a size 8 needles.
Another thought is what material the needles are. If they are metal fine yarns are harder to knit at first. A lot of people find that using wood is easier for yarns like that, but it does depend on the fiber, too.
I don’t like using metal needles, so I’m already using wood. I’ll try the smaller needles. Everything looked so messy and the stitches didn’t seem to be the same size. I wonder if I am up to this! I’m going to check the yarn label when I get home.
Your uneven stitches may be due to the needle size. When the stitches are loose they have more of a tendency to move around. You may be able to block it when you’re done to even them out some, too.
Size 13 US or UK? A UK 13 is the equivalent of a US 1 so that should be okay. A US 13 though is just a bit too large, try a US 8 and that will make it lacey.
The yarn is Plymouth Fantasy Naturale 100% cotton.
I’m using US 13. It is so hard to knit that yarn. It doesn’t look even no matter how tight or loose I try to knit.
Well the 13s aren’t going to help much. Try a size 5 to 8 needle and see if that’s better. You do want a loose knit for a shawl, not tight like you would for socks or even a sweater.
eta - Oh, if it’s a worsted weight, then maybe go for an 11, a 13 can work for a lacier look though. Also, wash and lay out what you’ve got knitted, that will even out the sts.
Cotton is hard to knit with even with the correct size needle. I looked it up it’s a worsted weight yarn so I’m not sure about your comment that it’s like thread. I guess if you’re used to knitting with super bulky it would seem like thread, but… :??
http://www.plymouthyarn.com/index.php?nav=cYarn.yarnDetail&yarnid=000038&searchcollection=000005
Recommended needle size is 6-8. There should be a number on the label. What does it say?
http://www.craftyarncouncil.com/label.html
that would have been my question, too: What system is the 13 refering to?
Conversion Chart
I would not try any needle that big.
The other question is: I have used some wooden needles that are not smooth enough to let such thin yarn slide smoothly. Maybe try with metal ones? But if you really do not like metal ones… then pay attention to the smoothness of the tools.
Thanks everyone for your help. I’m going to give it another try.
The label says 7, but the pattern I’m using says use a 13. The lady at the yarn shop said I could use that yarn for that pattern, but maybe she didn’t realize I wouldn’t know to change the needle size. I’m afraid I’m not very experienced yet. I’ve only made baby blankets, booties, and I made a stab at a hat that I’m not too proud of. The yarn isn’t as thin as thread. I guess it just seems like that after the other types of yarn I’ve used.
For shawls you knit them looser - on larger needles - so try working with it a little, use 11s if you really feel that 13s are too big.
OK. Thanks!
That’s needle size…there should be another number referring to the weight of the yarn. I was curious because you said it was thin. I posted a link in my other post showing what I mean.
And patterns often use a different needle than the label shows.
Audrey, the size on the label is to show the gauge of the yarn to put it into a weight class - sport, worsted, bulky, etc - but isn’t always the only size you’d knit the yarn with. Often patterns will use a different size to get a specific design feature; some st patterns are very dense and some need more drape, so you’d use a larger needle to achieve that effect.