knitting with thin yarn - Page 2

Jan in CA · 11-03-2010, 02:37 PM

Cotton is hard to knit with even with the correct size needle. I looked it up it's a worsted weight yarn so I'm not sure about your comment that it's like thread. I guess if you're used to knitting with super bulky it would seem like thread, but...

http://www.plymouthyarn.com/index.ph...lection=000005

Recommended needle size is 6-8. There should be a number on the label. What does it say?
http://www.craftyarncouncil.com/label.html

hyperactive · 11-03-2010, 07:41 PM

that would have been my question, too: What system is the 13 refering to?
Conversion Chart

I would not try any needle that big.
The other question is: I have used some wooden needles that are not smooth enough to let such thin yarn slide smoothly. Maybe try with metal ones? But if you really do not like metal ones... then pay attention to the smoothness of the tools.

Audrey79 · 11-03-2010, 09:50 PM

Thanks everyone for your help. I'm going to give it another try.

Audrey79 · 11-03-2010, 10:16 PM

The label says 7, but the pattern I'm using says use a 13. The lady at the yarn shop said I could use that yarn for that pattern, but maybe she didn't realize I wouldn't know to change the needle size. I'm afraid I'm not very experienced yet. I've only made baby blankets, booties, and I made a stab at a hat that I'm not too proud of. The yarn isn't as thin as thread. I guess it just seems like that after the other types of yarn I've used.

suzeeq · 11-03-2010, 10:18 PM

For shawls you knit them looser - on larger needles - so try working with it a little, use 11s if you really feel that 13s are too big.

Audrey79 · 11-03-2010, 10:28 PM

OK. Thanks!

Jan in CA · 11-03-2010, 10:52 PM

Originally Posted by Audrey79

The label says 7, but the pattern I'm using says use a 13.

That's needle size..there should be another number referring to the weight of the yarn. I was curious because you said it was thin. I posted a link in my other post showing what I mean.

suzeeq · 11-03-2010, 11:02 PM

And patterns often use a different needle than the label shows.

Audrey, the size on the label is to show the gauge of the yarn to put it into a weight class - sport, worsted, bulky, etc - but isn't always the only size you'd knit the yarn with. Often patterns will use a different size to get a specific design feature; some st patterns are very dense and some need more drape, so you'd use a larger needle to achieve that effect.