needle size vs wool type vs pattern

[DeeJay]

I'm trying to do my first item from a pattern. The one I'm attempting is Debbie Bliss Ballerina Top for Babies
However... it asks for sizes 2.75mm and 3.25mm needles. I have (and can currently only find to buy) 2.5mm, 3mm, 3.5mm, 4mm and 4.5mm (my smallest range of needles). The smallest wool I can find is for size 3.5mm - 4mm needles.

I've tried knitting up the bigger size of the pattern on the 2.5 and 3mm needles but it's going very stiff (understandable since the wool is wrong for it)
But now I'm wondering if I can try knitting up the smaller size on my 3.5 and 4mm and still get roughly the right size?

The baby I am knitting it for (I use her as my test subject when I'm teaching myself something new) is just over a year old.

The measurements given in the pattern are:

To fit age 6-12 months
Actual chest measurement : 59cm (23 1/4 inch)
Length: 23cm (9 inch)
Sleeve Seam: 19cm (7 1/2 inch)


To fit age 13-18 months
Actual chest measurement : 65cm (25 1/2 inch)
Length: 26cm (10 1/4 inch)
Sleeve Seam: 22cm (8 1/4 inch)


To fit age 24-36 months
Actual chest measurement : 73cm (28 3/4 inch)
Length: 32cm (12 1/2 inch)
Sleeve Seam: 24cm (9 1/2 inch)

Tension is 25 sts and 34 rows to 10cm/4in square over st st on 3.25mm needles.
The cast on for the back piece is 74, 82, 92 sts (for the different sizes)

I think I may need to convince the mother to let me try measure this shy little girl

I'd appreciate any advice you can give me.
Thank you

[tarrentella]

as well as maybe measuring baby i woul recomend doing a gauge swatch. Using the yarn you have, and the needles you have do a variety of test swatches about 5x5 inches and see what sort of fabric you get and then count the stitches and rows per inch to find out what gauge you knit at.
Once you have an idea of what you are getting you will be able to better decide which size to make and how/if you need to alter things like the number of stitches you cast on.

[DeeJay]

Thank you, I hadn't thought of doing test swatches.
Guess what I'll be doing tonight

[suzeeq]

If the yarn you have comes out really stiff on the needles, try using larger needles and making the smaller size instead of the med size.

[DeeJay]

ok, I've knitted up my first swatch on my 3.5mm needles.

I got 7.5 rows and 6 sts per ince.

Doing the math with my husband (ok.. mainly him) we think I would need to cast on 60 sts to get the same width for the middle size pattern. (how many inches would 82 sts give at 8.5sts per inch by them and then how many of my sts would give the same width)
I did my gauge on the 3.5mm because that is the smallest size that is recommended by the yarn I'm using.

Does this sound right to you? Or am I going the wrong way with adjusting the pattern?

[suzeeq]

(how many inches would 82 sts give at 8.5sts

What 8½ sts? You got 6 sts/inch right, and the pattern gauge is 6¼? You convert the 82 sts divided by 6¼ sts/inch to get 13". For you to get the same 13" it's 78 sts, or halfway between the small and med. So you can use a number that's halfway between the 2 sizes for all the sts the pattern uses.

Since the medium will only be about an inch too large, just follow that size; she'll grow and she may already be larger than the size anyway. Baby sizes don't always correspond with age. A 3 month old may be able to fit into 6 mo clothes and outgrow them by the time they get to 6 months old. If you CO 60 sts, it's going to get you a newborn size, which is much too small.

[DeeJay]

Ok thank you, I'll do that.

Guess I wasn't seeing it right (wouldn't be the first time). I can start that tomorrow then