Switching from dk to worsted weight help

#1

Hi! I have a cute hat pattern that requires Sirdar Snuggly DK but I want to use a worsted weight yarn instead. I made a poncho for my daughter and I want the hat made out the same yarn.

How do I go about trying to convert the pattern? Is there a gauge converter somewhere that I could use? Or is it just not possible?

Thanks!

julie

#2

First you need to figure out how many sts/inch you get with the ww. Then look at the CO number in the pattern and figure out how many inches their gauge makes it (18, 20?) and multiply that measurement by your sts/inch and that’s how many you would CO. If the pattern doesn’t have any more shaping until the top, you’re fine, you would just start the shaping with less sts than in the pattern, but otherwise keep to the general dec pattern.

#3

Thanks Suzeeq, a few questions still…

First you need to figure out how many sts/inch you get with the
Is this with the same size needle as what the pattern says? Should I knit a gauge swatch with the same needle size and the ww to figure this out?

Then look at the CO number in the pattern and figure out how many inches their gauge makes it (18, 20?)
So, if the pattern calls for 109 to CO, and their tension is 22 sts, 28 rows to 10 cm (4inches) then that makes it about 20 inches?

If the pattern doesn’t have any more shaping until the top, you’re fine, you would just start the shaping with less sts than in the pattern, but otherwise keep to the general dec pattern.
It does have more shaping as it is a beret. What should I do about that?

Thanks so much…I’ve never tried this before!

#4

If you knit with the same needle size as the pattern, you’ll have a very stiff hat. Use the needle size you did when you made the poncho with the worsted weight.

Yes, that comes out to just under 20". Since you have to increase sts for a beret, take the number of sts increased and divide by gauge… say you inc 55 sts, then you’d divide by the gauge to get 10, (the equivalent of 10"), then you figure out how many sts 10" would be in your gauge, maybe 40 or 45. That’s how many you would increase.

Basically, convert the pattern gauge into inches, then those inches to your gauge.

#5

Thanks!! I’ll give it a go!