Are you asking yourself these questions?

Knitting — you’ve got to love it. If you keep looking at your work and asking yourself . . .

Would it have looked better in the other shade?

Would it look better if I did it in a larger (smaller) size?

Do you think anyone will notice that I skipped a row of the pattern?

My experience has been that if I start questioning how a garment is knitting up, then there is something unsatisfying about the work. My experience has also been that if I am a little unsatisfied with a few inches of it, then I’m very unsatisfied with the finished project. Very rarely does it get better as it goes along. When you start asking some else’s opinion about your project, then you are looking for validation. You should love your project enough that no one else has to love it. And if you’re not lovin’ it, don’t be afraid to rethink the entire piece.

Flu Shot Needles & Knitting Needles

What could they possibly have in common??

They both come in a range of gauges and size matters.

In other tips, I have tried to de-mystify the world of knitting, but needles are where the logic ends. Most people know that changing needle sizes results in a different stitch gauge. Needles have both a US size designation and mm (millimeter) size. Changes from US 0 to 1 to 2 each increase .5mm each. Then from US 3 through 6 they change in .25mm increments. From US 6 through 10 ½ each size differs by .5 mm. Where did the 10 ½ come from? So from 10 to 10 1/2 the size changes .5mm BUT between 10 ½ and 11 the size changes a whopping 1.5mm.

Then we go 11, 13, 15, at 1mm increases to size 17 (a 2.75mm increase), and 19 (a 1.25mm increase) AND WHAT HAPPENED TO 12, 14, and 16???? And some UK patterns call for a size 10.75 which the US doesn’t even have! What’s a girl to do?

Caution: Brands differ in sizes as well. When working on projects requiring both circular and straight needles, stick with the same brand. Clover US size 6 is 4.25mm and Bryspun US 6 are 4.00mm. Bryspun 10 ½ are 7mm and Clover’s are 6.5mm. Obviously if you start a project in the round then switch to straight needles for the bodice, they had better be the same millimeter.

If you feel needle challenged – well, it’s no wonder. Better get one of every size from two different companies just in case.

Yarn Weights 101

Yarns are categorized by weights. Ranging from finest to thickest, the weights are fingering weight (or baby weight), sport weight, double knitting (DK) weight, worsted weight, chunky weight and bulky weight.

Generally, the weight of the yarn determines the gauge, the size of needle you use, and the number of yards on a skein.

• Fingering weight knit is designed to knit at 28 stitches to 4″ on size 0 – 3 needles. It is often used for baby garment, socks and gloves.

• Sport weight knits at 24 stitch to 4″ on sized 4-6 needles. Used for light weight garments

• Double Knitting weight originated in the UK. Americans adopted this weight as a bridge between sport and worsted weight. Dk weight knits at 22 stitches to 4″ on size 4 – 6 needles.

• Worsted weight is the American workhorse weight and knits at 20 stitches per 4″ on size 6 – 9 needle. Worsted weight is good for outwear and afghans. ARAN weight is a subset of worsted gauge at 18 stitches to 4″ used almost exclusively for cabled patterns.

• Chunky yarn knits at 14 – 16 stitches over 4″ on size 9 – 10 ½ needle and is good for outdoor sweaters and accessories

• Bulky yarns are for heavy sweater knit at 8 – 12 stitches to 4″ on size 10 – 19 needles

When making yarn substitutions, try to stay within the same weight. Pay close attention to the yardages of the pattern yarn versus your choice so you won’t run short.

Guide to multipe strands and yarn weight

For satisfied customers comes from “Easy Scarves & Shawls” by Sealed with a Kiss, one a several patterns written by Keely Stuever owner of S.W.A.K. Knits in Guthrie, Oklahoma and contributor to KNITTER’S STASH.

You can hold multiple strands of yarn together for fun & different effects. This charts is a guide to help determine the yarn weight when holding multiple strands together.