Knitting How To

5 responses so far ↓

• 1 Irvin // Feb 21, 2010 at 12:30 am

  nothing is wrong with that
  References :

• 2 iroc70 // Feb 21, 2010 at 12:58 am

  Hi:

  Yes it does matter because your gauge or the Number of stitches per inch is going to be different. However for things like a bag, afghan, banket, scarf , dish towel or rag this might not matter ( what a few more stitches). But for things like a shirts,sweaters,dress,hats,coats, stocks,vests, ect than it does matter. You should alway do what the direction says to do especically with needle sizes I think you will be fine you will adding a few more stitches to it.

  here are some websites to explain it:

  http://knitting.about.com/od/learntoknit/a/gauge_swatch.htm

  http://www.ehow.com/how_7746_gauge-knitting-stitches.html

  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gauge_(knitting)

  http://www.earthguild.com/products/knitcroc/marypat/gauge.htm

  I hope this helps
  References :

• 3 Piggy // Feb 21, 2010 at 1:38 am

  What matters is the tension (gauge). It doesn’t matter which size needles you use if it produces the same number of stitches and rows to the inch/cm as the pattern requires. Otherwise the finished article will turn out bigger (too few stitches per inch/cm) or smaller (too many stitches per inch/cm) than intended. It doesn’t really matter for a scarf as long as the feel of the fabric is right, not too tight or too loose. There is very little difference in the size of needles you mention.
  References :

• 4 daeve930 // Feb 21, 2010 at 2:07 am

  Since you’re making a scarf, it’s probably ok.

  The gauge is what’s important. If you use smaller needles for a garment, it will make the garment smaller. There’s a gauge noted in your instructions. Let’s say the gauge is 8 stitches to an inch and your smaller needles give you 10 stitches to an inch. You make 8 stitches and it’s only 9/10 of an inch. Every 8 stitches you lose 1/10 of an inch to your sweater. After 10 sets of 8 stitches, that’s a whole inch, and by the time you get all the way across your sweater may fit a child.

  If you’re gauge is ok, your needles are fine. But since it’s a scarf, if you don’t mind it being a little smaller, knit away.
  References :

• 5 Kayt Mei // Feb 21, 2010 at 2:37 am

  using smaller needles than recommended can be an issue because what you’re making will be stiffer once it gets washed the 0.25 mm difference shouldn’t be a problem though.
  References :
  Experience I once knitted a scarf for my sister on 2.5 mm needles with a yarn that recommended 5 mm it was like a board after it was washed the first time.

Leave a Comment