Monday, May 30, 2005

Misfit Knitter

Why I cannot simply follow a pattern as it is written is beyond me. I am either substituting a different yarn (or yarns), altering the pattern size, or in the latest case- using different sized needles than what is called for. And I wonder why my projects always turn out a little...loopy!

So I started a caplet, which requires knitting in the round from the hemline to the neckline. The A line shape is created by changing needle sizes (rather than by increasing or decreasing). The pattern called for size 17, then 13, then 9 needles. Unfortunately, I realized after the fact that I don't have size 17 circular needles, so I thought 'what the hell' and proceeded with the size 15 needles I have on hand. My dilemma now- do I now switch to the size 13 as originally instructed in the pattern, or do I use a size 11? But then, what would I use as the 3rd size? I mean, I don't want to end up with a neck hole I can't fit my noggin through! But then I also want there to be a shape. What do you think?

1 comment:

Disentangled said...

Maybe you can look up the mm size difference between all those needles, and make a proportional shift to account for starting with 15s - since the US needle sizes don't correspond to anything. So, say the difference between the 17s and 13s is 2 mm, and so is the difference between the 13s and 9s. You could then pick an althernate needle size between 15s and 9s that is proportionally spaced. I think there is an equivalency chart in the Stitch 'n Bitch book.

Otherwise - I ran into the same problem with the Cape Mod, so I have 17s in circular needles, if you can wait until Friday to borrow them.