Hi...I'm trying to knit a sweater for my son, who is a size 12, but have a pattern that goes upto size 8....is there a tool on the web that I can use to convert the chart. The yarn for the pattern is chunky. Please help...I've just spent the last 3 hours searching for one.
There's the Elizabeth Zimmerman method of making your own pattern. She uses percentages, but I'm too lazy to look them up.
Take measurements around the waist, chest, upper arm, and arm/back length. Calculate the number of stitches per inch that you're getting. If you get 4 per inch and the chest measurement is 30 inches, then your chest will have to be 120 stitches for a snug fit, and 130 for a loose fit.
You might get more responses if you post this request in rec.crafts.textiles.yarn Good luck.
Mavia
I suggest you take one of his sweaters that is a wee bit large, lay it flat, and measure it. Then use those measurements to find or design a pattern. Size numbers don't matter, but measurements do! The measurements you need are the width of the chest just under the sleeves, the length of the front (or back) from bottom edge to where the sleeve is attached, and the sleeve from bottom edge to where it attaches to the body. If your son is a little long in the body, you can add length to the sweater you knit, and can do the same with sleeves.
As to the pattern itself -- You can look for a pattern with measurements that match yours. However, there is a book available that is great for those who don't design very often, and it covers sweaters from baby sizes to plus-size men and everything in between. It also includes all the variations you might want -- round neck, v- neck, raglan sleeve, set-in sleeve, cardigan, etc. You plug in your numbers -- measurements and gauge -- and it will tell you exactly what to do. It is called The Knitting Architect, and is available in major stores such as Barnes and Noble. Just ask for it. It might be a little bit expensive, but will be worth it as a permanent reference book. (And don't lend it -- your chances of getting it back are very poor!)
Knitting Without Tears is also a good source for design, although it presumes a knowledge and experience base and is not for beginners.
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