Help with Urban Aran Gauge Issue

laikabear · 04-04-2009, 10:30 PM

I hope this is the right place to post this question...

I am working on the Urban Aran by Patons. I am using Elann Peruvian Highland Chunky, which many Ravelers have used successfully. My gauge swatch indicated that I needed to use size 11 needles, but the fabric is coming out very holey. I looked through the 20 or so people who used the same yarn, and they all used between size 9 and 10.5 needles. NO ONE used size 11.

So I want to use size 10.5. The stated gauge is 15 st/ 4" and 20 rows/ 4". I'm getting 16 st/ 4" and 21 rows/ 4". I had to adjust the length of the pattern anyway since I am tall. Now to adjust and add a few sts for my width...

Well, the back has you cast on 92 sts for the size small, which is supposed to be 19" wide. But when I multiply 19" by 3.75 st/inch, I get only 71 sts. Conversely, 92/ 3.75 is 24.5"! I guess there is a discrepancy because the ribbing and cabling pulls the stitches in?

If so, how do I figure out how many sts to add? I divided 19" by 4 and got 4.75, and 24.5" / 4 = 6.125, so I'm thinking about 6 sts for the back.

I'm making it into a cardigan, too, like Jared Flood did, so I will have to figure out the fronts later...

suzeeq · 04-05-2009, 03:44 AM

What are the measurements for the various sizes on the schematic? You might go up one size on the pattern and see what that will get you. And yes, cables and ribbing like this pull in. Then decide if you want it snug or looser.

laikabear · 04-05-2009, 06:28 AM

Well, I could go up a size, but the next size up has 8 more stitches (on the back). Hmmm.

The small finished size bust is 38", and the medium is 42". I have a 35" bust, so that is a lot of positive ease... I would like it to come out no larger than 38"...

I am going to have to add a few sts to the front anyway since I am splitting it in half to put in the zipper. Maybe a total of 6 sts in the front and 6 in the back would be sufficient...

suzeeq · 04-05-2009, 02:29 PM

Why don't you start with the sleeves on the next size up? That should give you an idea what you'll actually come out with at your gauge. If it's too big, you don't have much to rip out and can go down to the small; if it's okay, then just finish it and the body should be fine at that size.