yarn&sizing

[rusty76]

I'm planning on making this chemo cap for my mother - Lotus Hat

The pattern calls for worsted weight yarn, and a US size 6 needle. If I go down one weight - to a 3 (light worsted) do I then go to a US size 5 for the same gauge?

I'm using the yarn/needle sizing from this site - Standard Yarn Weight System

Thanks!

Comments

[wyomingnot]

It totally depends on your kniting! Do a gauge swatch. Pattern calls for five stitches to an inch. Depending on how tight or loose you knit (and on the yarn itself), you may not need a different needle size. Or maybe you will.

...also, comb through the finished projects on Ravelry. Maybe someone's using the same yarn you're planning on using and left some notes in their project. :)

That's a lovely pattern, btw. Thanks for bringing it to my attention!

:)

[lizcommotion]

^^ This.

[umbo]

A smaller weight of yarn and/or a smaller needle can often lead to knitting that's smaller than gauge, so I'd be careful.

[havocthecat]

I learned that lesson. I threw my cowl in the corner and have to rip out the damned thing, a year after I started it.

[pinesandmaples]

If you drop your yarn and needles down a size or two, you'll need to increase the number of stitches because the hat will come out smaller! You probably knew that, but in case it wasn't on your radar...

[tephra]

I used a lighter worsted for mine (Caron Country) and actually went up on the needle size to an 8/5mm and added a pattern repeat to fit my 24" noggin.

[oakmouse]

If you drop the yarn size and needle size both, your cap will come out smaller. You could keep the needle size the same, and the cap will come out with the stitches a little more open and lacy-looking.

Or you could figure out the pattern repeat for the hat, and use smaller yarn, smaller needles, and one additional repeat of the pattern stitch to make the hat close to the original size.

However, as mentioned above, before you start the hat itself do a gauge swatch and figure out how big your finished hat will be. That will save you a world of hassle.