Aunt Debbie's Knit and Stitch Shop
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Tips and Techniques

This month's tip is:  How to change a pattern from a double-knit-weight yarn to worsted-weight yarn.

I will use a 20" finished hat as an example.

If the instructions are calling to cast on 110 stitches with double-knit yarn which is 22 stitches to 4 inches or 5.5 stitches to the inch, then calculate as follows:

    110 stitches = 20 inches
    20 inches divided by 4 inches (standard swatch size) = 5
    5 x 20 stitches (standard worsted weight yarn measure found on ball band)
           = 100 stitches

If you would like to make a double-knit weight hat pattern using worsted weight yarn, cast on 100 stitches instead of 110.  Be sure to measure a little less in the length or the hat will be too long.

Rule of thumb:  If there are instructions for more than one size (i.e. small, medium and large) and you would like the finished garment to be a medium, follow the instructions for the small size, but measure for the medium size.  Keep an eye on increases for sleeves; instead of increasing every 6th row, you might want to increase every 5th or 4th row, depending on how the gauge is for the yarn you are using.


Previously: 

The question is often asked about how much yarn is to be measured when using a long-tail (or thumb method) cast-on.  This is particularly annoying when 200 stitches are needed for a 3-ply sweater or an afghan.  The answer is quite simple:  for every stitch you need (i.e. 200) wrap the yarn around the knitting needle loosely that amount of times.  I like to leave a little bit more (maybe 8 inches or so) just in case.


See you next month!

Aunt Debbie's Knit and Stitch Shop       Woolaroo Yarns
5628 Vedder Road  #105 - 32660 George Ferguson Way
Chilliwack, BC       Abbotsford, BC
V2R 3M7V2T 4V6
(604)824-7790Fax:  (604)824-6533 (604)852-7897
Toll-Free:  1-866-824-7790
knit-and-stitch@shaw.cawoolaroo@shaw.ca