So my gauge is really small...

starphoenix · 04-01-2009, 11:08 PM

So I'm trying to knit this hat pattern for my sister, and the gauge calls for 12 sts & 24 rows = 4 inches (10cm) and they recommend size 8 needles. Now when I use size 8 needles, I get roughly 2 inches out of all those stitches, and I have to practically go up to my size 15 to get even close to the gauge, but those stitches end up so far apart it wouldn't make a very effective hat. I've tried making this hat several times now, the first time I did it without checking my gauge and ended up with a hat that may fit my sister's cat. Then I tried with some size 10.5 needles and added some stitches to make it a bit bigger and ended up with an enormous hat. Then tried with just 10.5 needles, no extra stitches, and it still came out too small. Now it could just be this hat pattern is too hard (I'm a relatively new knitter), but I would like to get better at sizing things properly.

Any help or general suggestions on how to fix this, or improve my knitting style to avoid this problem entirely would be greatly appreciated.

ittybittypretty · 04-02-2009, 04:18 AM

Well I just did a quick internet search for several brands of yarn that use size eight needles, and the recommened gauge is 18 sts and 24 rows, not 12 sts. Is it possible that could be a typo?

suzeeq · 04-02-2009, 05:02 AM

I was typing out something else when I figured it out... the needles should be 8mm, not US 8 which would be 5mm. 8mm are US 11s and 3 sts/inch is about right.

starphoenix · 04-02-2009, 06:49 AM

That could be it, suzeeq, but the pattern does say :
-set of size 8 (5mm) double pointed needles
-16 inch circular needle, size 8 (5mm)
-set of size 7 (4.5mm) dpn's OR 16 inch circular needle
perhaps the size of yarn is much larger than that of what I'm using, or it is a typo that just got propogated.

tarrentella · 04-02-2009, 09:14 AM

Yes if you are not using the recomended yarn then you will have to find a yarn that gets you the gauge, other wise you will end up with a fabric that is very loose and holey. It sounds like you need a much heavier yarn that you have picked.

imrachel · 04-02-2009, 01:49 PM

I'm voting for the typo-- when you get 12 sts across, you get about 16 rows, not 24-- which, as ittybitty pointed out, has a standard of 18 across.
What is the pattern?
What yarn do they recommend?
What are you using?

suzeeq · 04-02-2009, 04:07 PM

What's the pattern, or what yarn does it call for?

starphoenix · 04-06-2009, 04:31 PM

Sorry for the delay, I got rather busy with schoolwork and had forgotten I made this post. Here's the pattern: http://tangleknits.blogspot.com/2008...ens-beret.html and I am using a ball of Patons Classic Wool yarn

suzeeq · 04-06-2009, 05:47 PM

The yarn in the pattern is heavier than the yarn you're using. You could double the patons and see if that gets you closer to gauge, or make the larger pattern and see how that works.

cftwo · 04-06-2009, 06:15 PM

I would be tempted to find another pattern for a similar beret. Are you on Ravelry? There's a free pattern that looks very similar, but calls for size 11s with aran weight (and an excuse to use Malabrigo) yarn http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/libr...slouchy-beret# .

You could also search and see if anyone has used your yarn for a beret, and what pattern/needles they used.