Need help substituting yarn

lovemyknitting · 01-20-2010, 11:43 AM

Hello everyone...If you read my post in the "General" thread then you know I have recieved some vintage knitting manuals! I have had a chance to look through some of them and I have found a cabled coat that I ABSOLUTLEY have to make!

My problem of course is that the yarn used (Unger Cozy) is no longer available since the pattern is from 1975 (it's ALMOST as old as I am.

) The gauge for this yarn is 4st and 6 rows = 1" on size 9 needles. I am guessing this is a SUPER BULKY (6) yarn. I have researched on Lionbrand.com and have decided that I do NOT want to use Jiffy Thick and Quick. But i did find that Pound of Love has a gauge of 4.75st and 6 rows =1" on size 8 needles. My QUESTION: do you think that if I use a size 9 needles with the Pound of Love yarn that i would get the right gauge? Thanks in advance for any advice and answers!

suzeeq · 01-20-2010, 11:53 AM

No it's not super bulky, that's only 4 sts per inch on size 9s, not 2� per inch on size 11s. It's a heavy worsted/aran weight. I think the pound of love should work out about right.

sandy57th · 01-20-2010, 12:41 PM

Pound of love should work, but I wouldn't just go with the 9s-- I'd swatch and make sure whatever you end up using gets the right gauge, no matter what sizre needle it takes to get there. The other thing is that without seeing the pattern, a cabled coat in worsted weight is going to be a fairly good sized project. Meaning, you want to be sure you really like the result after all that work. Pound of love is not the highest quality yarn. There are some other worsteds out there (just make sure it's a number 4) that have a better feel to them that you might want to check out.

lovemyknitting · 01-20-2010, 01:15 PM

Sandy,
After I posted I thought about that (the quality of yarn). I just happen to have a few skeins of the pound of love on the shelf, it must have been on sale! LOL What would you suggest for yarn? I am on a budget so I have to watch what I spend!

suzeeq · 01-20-2010, 05:32 PM

Go ahead and use that yarn, but it's a good idea to see if you can match the gauge on 8s, 9s, whatever it takes.

sandy57th · 01-20-2010, 10:55 PM

Quote:

Go ahead and use that yarn

I'm not sure if suzeeq had a reason for suggesting doing that, but I personally wouldn't. Here's the thing-- the original yarn got 16 sts = 4". The usual worsted (such as Pound of Love) are a little finer than that. They are supposed to give you 18 - 20 sts per 4". That will change the drape of the fabric. There are 2 which are not too expensive ones and are intended to get 15 sts = 4", so much closer to the original idea for your pattern. They are
1. Patons' Shetland Chunky and Shetland Chunky Tweed (wool/acrylic blend)
2. Bernat Natural Blends Alpaca (alpaca/acrylic)