Gauge Question

Jul 21, 2006 3 Replies

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hesira 19 years ago

I want to make a sweater from a pattern that specifies a yarn that is no longer around. It is a worsted weight wool with 5 stitches per inch with #8 US. I can't find a yarn that matches that gauge. I can find worsted wools with 5 per on 6-7's US. I know gauge is highly dependent upon the individual knitter, but I'd like to start with a yarn that is as close to the original as possible and adjust from there. I don't have a LYS, so I'll have to order the stuff, and won't be able to experiment with different yarns.

My question is, should I try the worsted with 5 per on 6-7's, or should I keep looking for a yarn that is a closer match. I don't want to spend a bunch of money then have it not work out. Can anyone suggest a yarn that matches the original gauge?

Many thanks,

Hesira

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Wooly 19 years ago

On 21 Jul 2006 07:09:53 -0700, "hesira" spewed forth :

Buy one hank of the yarn you're considering for the project and make a swatch. Be sure to swatch as you'll knit the sweater: in the round, or flat, whichever is applicable. Keep in mind that most gauge requirements call for SCOURED and BLOCKED gauge, so do that too. If you make gauge for the pattern and like the fabric you'll be set.

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Reply to the list as I do not publish an email address to USENET. This practice has cut my spam by more than 95%. Of course, I did have to abandon a perfectly good email account...

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JCT 19 years ago

I don't pretend to be an expert but I will say that I frequently use a little smaller needle than the one in the pattern in order to match the gauge - which can be true even if I am using the yarn listed. I just swatch. The only problem I run into is when the row gauge is critcal like in a raglan sleeved sweater. Sometimes my row gauge will be off a little when I use the smaller needle. For a raglan I have to mess around until I can get both the row gauge and the stitch gauge. Normally it isn't much of an issue because it is usually only a single size smaller.

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suzee 19 years ago

Usually it's advised to go with the needle that gives you the stitch gauge, even if it's not the one in the pattern. Maybe you knit tighter than the pattern designer. But as JCT says, watch out for the row gauge too; you may have to make some slight adjustments.

sue

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