topic Re: Knitting Needle Size Question in Home

Knitting Needle Size Question

sfnative — Mon, 09 Nov 2015 19:16:55 GMT

Thanks in advace for your help with this question.

I've been making scarves in the round for a number of years using worsted weight and size 8 needles as indicated. Now I want to make a narrow pink neck scarf for my granddaughter using Lion Brand Acrylic "Pound of Yarn," which is indicated as being "Medium" and requiring size 8 needles, which is the same needle used when working with worsted weight in all of the other scarves I've made. Does this sound right? My goal is to have this smaller scale scarf look exactly as the other adult ones, but think a size 8 might give me a loose looking scarf. Know what I'm getting at? Perhaps I'm way off base, so would appreciate assistance. Thanks so much. ~Rebecca

Re: Knitting Needle Size Question

ChynnaBlue — Mon, 09 Nov 2015 19:21:56 GMT

Worsted weight is medium weight, so yes, a size 8 needle sounds right. If the pattern is for a smaller scarf, it will be smaller even if you use the same sized needles you use on an adult scarf.

Re: Knitting Needle Size Question

DoneTryin — Mon, 09 Nov 2015 19:25:46 GMT

Yes, that's correct; that yarn is also worsted weight so the #8 needles work. However, knitting is an art, so you don't always have to go by the "rules." Knit up a swatch in the pattern & see how it looks to you. If it seems too "loose" then downsize the needles & see how that works.

I love knitting & always have several projects going at the same time. I hope you're enjoying your knitting!

Re: Knitting Needle Size Question

sfnative — Mon, 09 Nov 2015 19:57:45 GMT

@DoneTryin

@ChynnaBlue

Thank you for your input.

Honestly, I raised the question to myself, as the medium pink acrylic yarn does not have nearly the diameter of the worsted wool mix I've been working with.

Will stick with size 8 and make a swatch to see how this works. I guess my misunderstanding has to do with the diameter of the fiber, as mentioned above.

Re: Knitting Needle Size Question

ChynnaBlue — Mon, 09 Nov 2015 21:23:13 GMT

Yarn type fuzzy like that. Lots of yarns are labeled Worsted/Medium and seem pretty different, but the next size down is definitely thinner. Bulky yarns also vary quite a bit in size. Swatching is the best way to really decide what works best, especially since anything can change based on your own knitting style and tension. My mom has arthritis and when she can knit, she knits much more loosely than average and always has to adjust to get the right gauge. I used to be the opposite and knit very tightly, but I've loosened up to about average now. That's why I knit a lot of scarves - I seldom have to worry about gauge with a scarf.

Re: Knitting Needle Size Question

Mustang Shar — Mon, 09 Nov 2015 23:10:53 GMT

I would try a 7 needle and swatch. See if this will give you the tighter fabrication I think you're asking about. Who knows, maybe even a 6 would be the perfect knit.

Re: Knitting Needle Size Question

sfnative — Tue, 10 Nov 2015 02:43:55 GMT

@Mustang Shar wrote:
I would try a 7 needle and swatch. See if this will give you the tighter fabrication I think you're asking about. Who knows, maybe even a 6 would be the perfect knit.

@Mustang Shar

Honestly, this is where my head has been for 2 days now. I only have size 8 round, so this would give me the opportunity to purchase smaller sizes.

Re: Knitting Needle Size Question

sfnative — Tue, 10 Nov 2015 02:48:14 GMT

@ChynnaBlue wrote:
Yarn type fuzzy like that. Lots of yarns are labeled Worsted/Medium and seem pretty different, but the next size down is definitely thinner. Bulky yarns also vary quite a bit in size. Swatching is the best way to really decide what works best, especially since anything can change based on your own knitting style and tension. My mom has arthritis and when she can knit, she knits much more loosely than average and always has to adjust to get the right gauge. I used to be the opposite and knit very tightly, but I've loosened up to about average now. That's why I knit a lot of scarves - I seldom have to worry about gauge with a scarf.

@ChynnaBlue

Yup, I'm definitely going to swatch. I'm pretty consistent tension-wise, but the challenge is in the yarn diameter. Having a good handle on my tension just makes me think 8 is going to be too big.

Re: Knitting Needle Size Question

Campion — Sat, 14 Nov 2015 12:58:14 GMT

FYI there is a wonderful website "Ravelry.com" which has all kinds of forums and helpful knitters with info, as well as a lot of other resources. I've been knitting for years and I can't believe I didn't know about it until some years after it was in existence.