Can I change needle size in knitting pattern?

Changing the size of the needles used in a knitting pattern will change the fit, size and way the knitted piece drapes, but it is another way to personalize your work. Using larger needles and thicker yarn without adjusting the pattern will yield a finished product that is too big.

What happens if you knit with bigger needles?

Usually, larger needles will produce a larger gauge, but the type and weight of the yarn also will make a difference. If your gauge doesn't match what the pattern calls for, try changing the size of your needles.

Can you knit two different sized needles?

Condo knitting is a simple but unique knitting technique that uses two sizes of knitting needles to create a light and drapey material. In its most basic form, this is garter stitch, knitting every row.

Does knitting needle length matter?

Knitting needles come in different lengths to cater for knitting different size projects and also personal preferences. You need much longer needles to knit an adult sweater than small items like toys or baby clothes, because you need to fit a lot more stitches on your knitting needle.

What if my knitting gauge is too small?

If you are having this problem, you could try and knit with a different type of needle in the same size. E.g. if you made your first swatch was knitted on metal needles, try this one using wooden needles. A change in needle material can sometimes help with row gauge.

How to Switch Needle Sizes When Making Flat Knits

Do smaller knitting needles make tighter stitches?

Needle size and tension are intimately connected as the loop that creates the new stitch is formed around the needle. When you knit on smaller (thinner) needles the stitches also get smaller, and the tension gets tighter/higher.

What happens if I have too many stitches per inch?

Most often, if you have too many stitches per inch on your gauge, we would suggest going up a needle size. If you have too few stitches, you should go down a needle size. But in this case, since I'm only off by 1/2 stitch, we're going to try something else. Let's try using a different type of needle!

How do I know what size knitting needle to use?

A simple guideline: Add the measurements (in millimeters) of the suggested needle size for each yarn and then use the needle that is closest in size to that number. For example, for a swatch of two strands of Wool-Ease Chunky, we added 6.5 mm plus 6.5 mm to get 13 mm. The closest needle size is 12 mm, which is a US 17.

Can I use a different yarn weight for a pattern?

If you do change the yarn weight & choose a completely different yarn, your finished project will look like something different. It's not anything wrong with that, if that's what you're going for. However to get the same size, measurements & gauge the easy way is to use a yarn with the same yarn weight.

Can I substitute worsted for DK?

They're good to keep in mind, though, as they give you a general idea of yarn weight. Although DK is lighter than worsted, they are both considered to be medium weight yarns, and they're often used for the same kind of projects. You might be able to substitute one for the other, but always knit a gauge swatch first.

How do you decrease gauge in knitting?

So what can you do if you didn't get gauge? Knit another swatch and try to: Switch to a different needle size. If you have more stitches on 10 cm / 4" than stated in the pattern, use a larger needle size; if you have less, use a smaller one. Switch to a different needle material.

What are the most common knitting needle sizes?

Knitting Needle Size FAQs

The most common knitting needle size is US size 8, or 5mm. These needles are most common because they match up with worsted-weight yarn, which is the most common type of yarn for most knitting patterns.

What can I knit with size 6 needles?

Are bamboo or metal knitting needles better?

Bamboo needles are warm and smooth to the touch, making them ideal for those who don't like the cold feel and clicking noise of metal needles. For beginner knitters, bamboo is our top choice. Bamboo needles are easier to handle than metal or other woods, because the stitches don't slip off the needles.

Is it easier to knit with bigger needles?

BENEFITS OF KNITTING WITH LARGER NEEDLES FOR BEGINNING KNITTERS. These larger sized needles are easier to handle. When starting out, many beginning knitters feel more secure with substantially sized needles in their hands.

Does circular needle length matter?

You may have thought all along that bigger circular needles produce better stitches but you are wrong! Every circular needle size and cord length has its own purpose. Each needle size is numbered and the smaller this number is, the smaller the circular needle will be and you will also have to use a thinner yarn.

How many stitches make an inch?

The needle size you use to get 5 stitches per inch could be the same for both yarns (an average knitter would usually get 5 stitches per inch on a US 7 / 4.5 mm needle), but sometimes the weight of the yarn affects how tightly or loosely you knit.

How do you calculate stitches per inch?

To figure out the number of stitches and rows you need in 1 inch, simply divide the listed gauge by four. For instance, a yarn with a gauge of 18 stitches and 24 rows per 4 inches is the same as 4.5 stitches per inch and 6 rows per inch.