Conversion help please

[HeatherFeather]

and not the religious kind...

http://dogsstealyarn.com/yoda.htm

sooo kay...I want to make this sweater...BUT....
I want either sock weight or sport weight yarn with self striping patterns.....

I don't "do" math...is there an EASY way to use a smaller gauge yarn? Ideally, I'd like sock weight....

thoughts?

[suzeeq]

You have to do some math to get it to come out right. Take the yarn and needles you want to use, figure out how many sts per inch you get, multiply that by how many sts you need. Then see if one of the larger sizes has something close to that many stitches (front and back combined) and use the instructions for that size. For the rows, you'll have to convert their rows to inches and knit by measurment for lengths. So if it says to knit 12 rows in one color, you may find that's about 2" and knit that many rows in your gauge to 2".

[HeatherFeather]

Take the yarn and needles you want to use, figure out how many sts per inch you get, multiply that by how many sts you need.

so....gauge swatch...to get sts per inch...got it.

Then see if one of the larger sizes has something close to that many stitches (front and back combined) and use the instructions for that size.

GREAT idea!!! (but probably not)??? so what then....

For the rows, you'll have to convert their rows to inches and knit by measurement for lengths. So if it says to knit 12 rows in one color, you may find that's about 2" and knit that many rows in your gauge to 2".

Should I make a mock up for measurements?

[suzeeq]

You wouldn't have to do much more than a swatch to figure the sts/inch. The row gauge you can figure out as you do it.

If the pattern doesn't have a size with the number of sts you need, look at how many sts difference between each size. Say if the total chest/bust sts go 120-130-140 you know there's 10 sts between sizes and you need about 170 to make it right, so you need 3 `sizes' larger than the largest size. Any time it gives the number of sts you should have (CO, sleeves, after increasing or decreasing) you know that you're going to need 3 increments more of the number of sts given for the largest. If the sleeves have a CO of 32, 36, 38 - you're going to need to CO 50 sts. There's 4 sts between sizes, times 3 is 12 plus 38 = 50.

Hope that didn't confuse you more.

[HeatherFeather]

I got the yarn I think I'm going to use...sock yarn...

the pattern only has one size 0-6 mos....so I'm kinda stuck there, but I DO get what you are saying.....It does give chest measurements and length measurements....so the length is good...

I'm putting this down here for reference...

figure your gauge with yarn you want to work with
X that by the width you wish the garment to be
that's the number of CO stitches...

ack...this is too complicated already....

based on the measurements of the sweater

It looks like the back should be 8.8 inches wide x 10 inches long
each panel should be 8 inches wide and 10 inches long

BACK:
So, if I get true to gauge and get 7 sts per inch, I CO 62 sts, and go until it's the length I need
Fronts:
CO 56 sts and go until desired length
Sleeves:
CO 39 sts,
Row 5 (RS): increase one st at each edge.
Continuing in st st, increase one st at each edge every 4th row until there are 56 sts.

How's my math look? I bolded the changes....

[suzeeq]

That oughta work. Just follow the original measurements. I think you've got a pattern!

[HeatherFeather]

THANKS!!!

I just now need to wait for "authorization" for the yarn I got...

I'm making this for a friend's new grandbaby due in January....so it shouldn't take TOO long to do....just rectangles.

ETA: just got the go-ahead for the project!!!

[HeatherFeather]

Cast on 36 sts.
Knit 4 rows garter st.
Switch to st st and knit straight until piece measures 6 in.
Decrease 1 st, one stitch in from right edge each RS row until piece measures 10 in.
24 stitches remain.
K 14. Bind off 10 sts.
Place remaining 14 sts on stitch holder.

This is for the front panels....

It says 24 sts remain.....K14, BO 10, and put remaining 14 sts on holder?????

I don't get it...I only have 24, and the K and BO will take care of the 24 sts...where are the other 14? I KNOW trust the pattern...but??????

[suzeeq]

It's the 14 sts you knit before the BO.