A sweater pattern I have my eye on calls for yarn that knits up 4 sts per inch using #11s, but it also says that double-stranding thinner yarns can be used if it achieves the same gauge.
So, how do I figure out what weight yarn to use in the double-stranding to achieve gauge?
(Does that make sense?)
GENERALLY two strands of one weight are equal to the next larger size. For example, 2 strands of sport weight equal 1 strand of worsted. I am currently doing the sweater in the Skacel yarn ad, and the yarn it calls for is a bulky weight {9 sts and 13 rows = 4"}. I am using two strands of chunky weight to achieve the same gauge. You may need to do several swatches to find the correct needles and such. It took me 4 tries until I found the right one and the look I was trying to get!
In general terms, two fingering strands are about equal to one dk, two dk are equal to one worsted, two worsted are equal to bulky.
It’s not exact, but a place to start.
Fantastic–thanks! 
The other way to do it is look at the metric size of the needle recommended for your yarn: size 8 needles are 5mm. Double the 5mm, which gives you 10mm, which is a size 13 needle. That is the size you would need to double strand that yarn.
You can work backwards too. I had a sweater to knit that required three strands knit on size 19 needles. I wanted to use a yarn that was a little thicker, so I thought I’d double it instead of triple. But I wanted to make sure that it would turn out. So I figured out what size needle I would need to double strand my new yarn choice and it was a 19. Perfect match! Of course I’ll still have to do a swatch. I hate swatches.
OH NO! You’ve just asked me to do math, some kind of conversion thingie… I’m not sure I trust myself with this.
I chose knitting in part because I thought I’d only need to know how to count. Crap.
[size=2]i Thanks Carmen)[/i][/size]
Yes well, I’m a math teacher. I will find any good excuse to make people do math.
Ask me to convert patterns to bigger and smaller sizes! The only thing better than knitting… is knitting math!
Angelia–Her suggestion was to multiply or divide by two! Not do calculus! :roflhard:
:roflhard: :roflhard:
Is there a difference? 
oops double post
Be not afraid of knitting math, it is the only math that matters! Knitting is what makes math worth the effort!
:lol:
:roflhard: :roflhard:
It IS the only math that matters! I shall be not afraid!
All I know is this thread makes my head hurt…you guys are smart!! 
You could just Google a conversion chart site, and skip the math part all together! 
Math and I don’t get along very well either. The numbers always beat me into stupidity! :doh:
If I made your head hurt with my post, then I’m not much of a math teacher. 
But seriously. It’s all in how the piece looks and fits, right? The math doesn’t have to be exact if the finished product is what you want. That is my philosophy.
Just thinking makes my head hurt. You made me think, which means you are a good teacher! :cheering:
The conversion idea sounds good, though. I might have to do both just to make sure. If I were experienced enough, I might be okay winging it. But I want to get some pretty nice yarn for this sweater, and I don’t want to create a very expensive disaster!