HOW MANY STITCHES TO CAST-ON

skookknitter · 11-29-2012, 07:42 PM

I'm new to this forum... So please bear w/ me. Sorry if i put this in the wrong place... I have a question: i'm using size 5 needles w/ yarn that you're suppose to use size 9. I'm knitting a bedspread (double 80" across) i need to know how many stitches do i knit-on to start this project? I don't like using the bigger needles. Can someone please help?

salmonmac · 11-30-2012, 01:16 AM

Hi and welcome to Knitting Help.
Try knitting a gauge swatch (about 5 inches by 5 inches) to see how many sts you get to the inch with the 5 needles and with the yarn you're using. And maybe more importantly, whether you like the knit fabric that is made. Once you know that, you'll be able to figure out how many sts to cast on to make a bedspread that is 80" across.

suzeeq · 11-30-2012, 01:29 AM

For yarn that's to be knit on size 9s, a 5 is awfully small, will give you a pretty dense knit, and will take you a lot more stitches. It may also be hard on your hands. But you will need to make a sample and figure out how many sts per inch you get and multiply that times 80 to see how many stitches you need. I might suggest you use a size 8 needle, that's much more appropriate for the yarn; a too small needle makes it harder to work the stitches.

skookknitter · 11-30-2012, 02:10 AM

Thank you so much for all of your help! It is greatly appreciated!! I get ten stitches per inch. I think it is highly unlikely that i will be able to fit eight hundred stitches on 14" size 5 straight needles.... I will buy some size 8 and see how they work for me... Thanks again!!!

GrumpyGramma · 11-30-2012, 03:17 AM

Originally Posted by skookknitter

Thank you so much for all of your help! It is greatly appreciated!! I get ten stitches per inch. I think it is highly unlikely that i will be able to fit eight hundred stitches on 14" size 5 straight needles.... I will buy some size 8 and see how they work for me... Thanks again!!!

If you're doing a hundred stitches or multiple hundreds, you'll probably want some long circular needles. You can use them just the same as regular knitting needles but they will hold more stitches and will be easier to handle.

I'd love to know what your pattern looks like, is it online? Can you link to it or a picture of it? That would be great.

suzeeq · 11-30-2012, 05:08 AM

You're going to need a circular needle, you can knit flat with it too, and one about 40" should hold the stitches you need. If you're going to be buying one anyway, might as well get the 9 - it's not really a huge size, more of a medium one. A 10 or larger is a big needle.

Jan in CA · 11-30-2012, 06:54 AM

Wow, that's going to be really heavy on circular needles.

They have long cables for circulars, but it will put a strain on he cable and joins. Make sure it's resting on your lap or something when you're knitting.

suzeeq · 11-30-2012, 03:02 PM

All the more reason to use a larger needle, less stitches needed, so it won't be quite so heavy.

GrumpyGramma · 11-30-2012, 05:36 PM

If you have a specific pattern in mind it would really help if we knew what it is. You might be dealing with pattern repeats that will have to be taken into consideration. It might be possible to work it in several sections then seam them together. Working a bedspread in one piece might get to be a bit much to handle.

fatoldladyinpjs · 12-03-2012, 03:41 PM

And I think one thing new knitters don't know is that is you use the wrong size yarn and/or needles, it's going to affect the size of your finished garment. It will make it either too big or too small. On something like a blanket or a scarf, the gauge isn't too critical. But on something that's worn it's a big difference. I like to read the number on the yarn wrapper and go from there. I don't generally use fingering weight yarn. A #3 baby sport weight can be used with a #3 to #7 needle (larger size for something like a baby blanket). A size 6 to 9 for worsted. A size 9-10 1/2 for #5 bulky weight. Size 11 to 13 and above for a #6 superbulky. This would be something like Lion Hometown brand or Woolease Chunky. These aren't cut in stone, of course, but these are general guidelines that work for me. Experiment a little. I used to only knit bulky knit pieces in needles 10 1/2 to 13. I forced myself to use the smaller needles. Now I prefer using the smaller ones. My favorite is a size 7 or 8. Trust me, it's very hard to knit bulky weight yarn with a #5 needle. If you don't break the needle, you'll have very sore hands.