What size needles? 1940s pattern

irrevocable · 10-22-2008, 05:40 PM

Hi everyone,

I am new to the forum and amm hoping you could help me!

This will be my second project (just finished my first which was some mittens for my 11 month old..perfect fit..!!!) and its for some women's gloves. However the pattern I found was a 1940s pattern here:

http://www.vam.ac.uk/images/image/13025-popup.html

The needle size it says Jaeger size 13 needles. I also found this page which has some reference about sizing being different back then it in seems to state that 12 = 2.25 mm ..

http://www.vam.ac.uk/collections/fas...40s/index.html

.I was just hoping if someone could confirm that I have this right. I need 2.25 mm sized needles? Seems like an awfully hard thing to do with such tiny needles!

Thank you

lulubell · 10-22-2008, 11:26 PM

I have been knitting lace with 1.5mm needles! I would check the tension well before starting the project, I see it is 8st and 15 rows to 1 inch over pattern. It may be that the 4ply of the pattern is not 4ply as we know it today. Oh, I've just noticed that the pattern is a Purl 3, knit 3 pattern, so those st and rows per inch sound much better! Do a test swatch on the suggested needles. Poss they are quite tightly knitted to keep out the wind and snow!

They look great don't they!

irrevocable · 10-23-2008, 12:58 AM

Thank you for responding...

I shall do a test...soooo tiny!!

lulubell · 10-23-2008, 02:15 AM

But I bet they will look amazing when you finish them! I have printed off the pattern, I might even start them this weekend just for fun. We have a long weekend this one, Monday is a holiday. It is Labour Day, a holiday to celebrate the 40 hour working week being brought in many many years ago. Although most people seem to work more than 40 hours a week now.

suzeeq · 10-23-2008, 04:47 AM

That sounds like the old UK sizes which are backwards to US - the larger the number the smaller the needle and vice versa. My needle gauge has those sizes - a 13 is 2.25 mm. But you may have to try out a couple to see which gives you the right gauge.

irrevocable · 10-23-2008, 10:35 PM

Aww you will have to tell me how you get on with them!! I am about to start them tomorrow..been working on a vest for my son.

Seriously knitting is really addictive - can't seem to put the needles down.

tarrentella · 10-23-2008, 11:18 PM

you get used to the 2.25 and 2mm needles realy quickly dont worry. They are quite common for the finer yarns often associated with ladies gloves or socks.

lulubell · 10-24-2008, 02:03 AM

It's addictive alright! I have just nipped out from work and bought some black 4ply for the gloves. We do not have a yarn shop as such, one of the shops has a corner with a VERY limited range. I got some Shepherd 4 ply 100% wool. I will let you know on Tuesday (next time I am at a computer) how I am getting on.

lulubell · 10-28-2008, 03:36 AM

What a fool I feel. I left the pattern for the gloves and the one for the Tigers eye scarf and the oil to mix with the petrol so I could mow the lawns over the long weekend at work on Friday evening. So no gloves, no Tigers eye scarf and lawns long and untidy! I did knit 2 simple scarves to add to the Christmas present stash, but I was so looking forward to the gloves and other scarf.
How are you getting on with the gloves?

irrevocable · 10-28-2008, 07:02 PM

Aww thats a shame.

Well I am half way through first glove and its been frustrating..I have messed up a lot of times..but I guess thats a result of lack of experience..seeing as this is my second project - should have picked something less frustrating!

I think though I am on my way and getting used to the small needles (although my son grabbed one and snapped it in half!).

Hopefully I will have them done in not too time now..I dont think I will be using small needles again for a long while though...!!