Why is this happening???

cookworm · 06-10-2007, 01:28 PM

I wanted to make Knitty's "Convertible" using a worsted weight yarn (because I already had some handy!

) and figured it would be no big deal because I can just the length and widths accordingly. So I know how to adjust the pattern so that worsted weight yarn will work out size-wise, but when I tried to do a swatch of the lace pattern, the swatch is buckling a bit. Does that mean I should go up a size in needles maybe?

suzeeq · 06-10-2007, 07:19 PM

Oh yes, I wouldn't try to make lace in worsted weight on 4mm needles; it just won't work, you need a larger size needle than the yarn normally uses and worsted uses 5mm usually. Try a couple sizes larger, like 9 or 10. Yes, you will have to go down in the number of CO stitches.

sue

cookworm · 06-11-2007, 01:46 AM

The frustrating this is I've tried a size 9 (5.5mm), and when it buckled, I went to a size 11 (8mm), and it's still buckling. Sure, I can block it, but I'd kind of like to know why this is happening in the first place.

I don't want the regular part of the design (without the lacy holes) to be too open because I'm afraid it'll look sloppy. Is it possible that I really have to go larger?

On another note, the name of the stitch pattern is called "lace entrelac", although I don't think it's true entrelac (just knitting and purling across every row with the usual decreases and increases for the lace pattern)--would something that likens itself to entrelac buckle?

suzeeq · 06-11-2007, 04:45 AM

Is it called `lace entrelac' in Vogue Knitting, I see that's where the stitch pattern came from. It's not like any entrelac pattern I've ever seen. Anyway, I may try out the st pattern and see what happens. What you could do if your yarn is blockable, is block out what you've knitted up to see if that makes a difference. It does say the pattern grows a lot...

sue

suzeeq · 06-11-2007, 03:03 PM

I knit up a sample of the pattern last night and you're right, the bottom does seem crowded. I think it can be fixed by using a larger needle to CO and/or doing the garter end with a bigger needle. It's the end that doesn't seem to stretch, which is normal - lace is looser than stockinette or garter.

cookworm · 06-11-2007, 03:07 PM

Thank you VERY much, Sue!!!! I REALLY appreciate your help, your response, and your advise!!!

suzeeq · 06-11-2007, 03:14 PM

No problem; I wanted to try out the pattern anyway to see what it looks like for future projects...

sue