Knitting Elan Patterns?

Most of the patterns there say to knit one ball with such and such size needles. I understand the purpose of writing the pattern this way, but how would you determine the proper amount to knit if you are not using the specified yarn? Would you divide the yarn that you are using in to the amount for each ball? Would you figure how many rows you are going to get from the ball and knit to that measurement? Any suggestions?

DA

Reply to
DA
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If it's a yarn with similar gauge to the one specified, compare the yardage. If the pattern calls for 3 50g balls at 72 yds each, then you need about 220 yds in the yarn you wish to use.

sue

Reply to
suzee

I usually check the yarn elann.com 'wants' us to use for yardage of the skeins/balls/hanks recommended and go from there, DA! HTH, Noreen

Reply to
The YarnWright

I understand this. The yarn I want to use is 500 yard hanks......short of winding the specified amount of yarn into separate balls (lots of joins) what would be a better way of determining when to change the needle size? DA

Reply to
DA

How many hanks do you have? How many yards does the pattern call for?

sue

Reply to
suzee

I have a sufficient amount of yarn for the pattern, this is not the problem. The pattern says "Start with 4.5mm (US 7) circular needle, at each new ball of yarn, change needle to one size larger - 5.0mm (US 8) for second ball of yarn, then 5.5mm (US 9) for third ball, 6.0mm (US 10) for fourth ball, 6.5mm (US 10 1/2) for fifth ball, 7.0mm (US 10/12 - 11) for sixth ball, 8.0mm (US

11) for 7th ball. " The yarn specified in the pattern is 91 yards per ball, how do I know when I have knitted 91 yards out of 500 with out cutting the 500 yard hank into 91 yard lengths? DA
Reply to
DA

I see.... How about measuring out, not cutting, 91 yards and putting a marker there? Yes, it'll take more time, but.....

sue

Reply to
suzee

Thanks Sue, that is an alternative. hopefully there is an easier way. :) I wish my swift had a yard counter. DA

Reply to
DA

Hi DA, I don't have an answer for your dilemma other than to suggest sending them a message asking what they recommend. It's a long shot but worth a try.

Reply to
The Jonathan Lady

Thanks, Jan. They will tell me to buy their yarn, the reason for writing the patterns they way they do is to sell yarn. :) DA

Reply to
DA

guage how many stitches does it say to the inch, thats how you could work it out do several sizes of needles if it looks too loose do it in a smaller needle, when it looks ok, do a two inch square and see how many rows and stitches to the inch, and refer to the pattern for what that says

Reply to
spinninglilac

Cher, gauge is not the problem. The problem is the pattern does not give measurements for how much to knit with each size needle, and they are several needle sizes used in the pattern. The instructions say to knit 1 ball with one size needle, the next ball with a size larger, etc. I know what yardage is in each ball, but choose to substitute the yarn. I was hoping that some one could come up with an easy way to judge when to change needle sizes with out measuring the 91 yard length of yarn for each ball from a 500 yard hank of yarn. DA

Reply to
DA

Why do you have to cut the yarn to start winding a new ball? I often wind several balls from a large hank or cone without cutting the yarn between balls.

But then, I wind my little center pull balls by hand. : )

I got a Mail Order Yarn Store gift certificate for Xmas, and am considering getting a yarn winder. Are they worth it? What is the best thing to get from a moys?

Aaron

Reply to
<agres

Reply to
Brenda

If you buy a lot of yarn that it is in hanks rather than pull skeins then it is well worth it. I have two of them, one that winds about 50 grams in a ball and a giant one that will do 300-500 yard skeins in one large center pull ball.

DA

Reply to
DA

After you cast on measure out 1, 2 or 3 yard(s) and see how many stitches/rows you can make from that. Multiply by 91, 45.5 or 30 as appropriate. Repeat as you change each needle size.

It won't be absolutely exact (especially for the first needle size, on account of the cast on) but should be in the ball-park.

HTH, Eimear

Reply to
ejk

Thanks, this is much easier than measuring the yarn. DA

Reply to
DA

Thanks Brenda. Guess that I am just looking for the easy way out. DA

Reply to
DA

One of the neat things about knitting is that there is usually more than one way to solve the problem.

One of the neat things about this group is that folks in the group are willing to tell how they solved a given problem, providing the youung ones* with alternative solutions so the young ones do not have to reinvent the wheel.

Aaron

*young ones = folks that are still learning

"We stand on the shoulders of giants."

Reply to
<agres

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