the hand-knit info

TENSION/GAUGE - WINDING HANKS - NEEDLE SIZE conversion chart - SKILL LEVELS and DOWNLOADING PATTERNS.

 

GAUGE

Gauge is how many stitches and rows to a certain measure, per inch or centimeters.

If you follow a pattern or design for yourself you need to be sure that the fabric that you make is what you want for that garment. First you need to choose the fibre, then the style of yarn it is made into, then work out the right size needles and stitch pattern. 

Every yarn has its own tightest gauge it will squeeze down to but there is no limit to the looseness, it may look like noodles when it is on the needle but, when blocked it will be open and lacy.

 

KNITTING IS ALL ABOUT MAKING FABRIC

 

 

There are two mechanical ways to change gauge.

The first and most obvious is the needle size.  The second and less obvious is the stitch pattern, as each will have a different gauge and relationship between width and depth, or, the number of stitches and rows in a given number of stitches.

This would all be very easy but for one thing, every knitter controls the yarn with different tension. All knitting patterns are designed by someone who has decided the ideal gauge for that design, its all about how that designer wanted the fabric to feel and look, and in order to copy it, the gauge must be the same.

Finished size is not so likely to be affected over a small number of stitches but the feel of the fabric may be, for instance a hard tight mitten would be uncomfortable to wear. In a larger garment there is a real potential for too tight or too loose, so discouraging when it has taken so many hours of work. The moral of this story is to test your gauge.

 

HOW TO TEST GAUGE

Using the needles and stitch pattern that are given in the pattern work a sample at least 30 stitches by 30 rows.  Smooth the work flat and put two pins vertically either 10cm apart or 2". Be very honest with yourself when you count, and count the half or quarter stitches in your given width. Compare this with the gauge given, (it is sometimes called 'tension') in the pattern. If it is not the same, make another sample using larger or smaller needles until you reach the correct gauge. Yes, we know this is tedious but will save frustration later. Remember that some people knit and purl using different tension and that one's mood can also affect tension.

Also remember that uneven tension is nothing to lose sleep over, knitted fabric is just a long line of interlocking loops and the first wash will sort out most differences.

 

WINDING HANKs of YARN

Find a willing person or chair-back around which to stretch the skein. Remove ties by cutting the knot, one will be the beginning of the yarn. Wind one end around two fingers loosely, when there is a small ball take out fingers, change winding direction and form a ball. Tightly wound wool will stretch, and relax to its shorter state when washed.

 

SKILL LEVEL
 

Easy: Beginning the journey - for first-time knitters using basic knit and purl stitches. Minimal shaping.

Interesting: For the little more experienced - a variety of stitches, such as basic cables and lace, using double-pointed needles (knitting in the round), mid-level shaping and finishing.

Advanced: Experienced knitters - using advanced techniques and stitches, such as short rows, complex cables, lace patterns.

 

 

HOW TO DOWNLOAD the PATTERNs

Please click on the 'download' button under the chosen pattern design, this will take you to the Check-Out section. Choose a country (default is UK), click on the 'OK' button which will take you to the payment section.

Please note that you can only pay by credit card through Paypal for downloadable patterns. Click on the 'Checkout' button which will take you to Paypal. Follow the instructions for payment. When the transaction has been verified you will be sent an email with a download link. This link is available for you to use for 48hours. If you have missed the opportunity to download the pattern design please let us know and we will send it to you by email.

To read PDF files you'll need a copy of Adobe's free Acrobat Reader.

Please follow this link to download.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NEEDLE SIZE CONVERSION CHART

Metric Sizes
UK Sizes
US Sizes
Metric Sizes
UK Sizes
US Sizes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2.0 mm
14
0
6.0 mm
4
10
2.25 mm
13
1
6.5 mm
3
10 1/2
2.75 mm
12
2
7.0 mm
2
-
3.0 mm
11
-
7.5 mm
1
-
3.25 mm
10
3
8.0 mm
0
11
3.5 mm
-
4
9.0 mm
00
13
3.75 mm
9
5
10.0 mm
000
15
4.0 mm
8
6
12.0 mm
-
17
4.5 mm
7
7
16.0 mm
-
19
5.0 mm
6
8
19.0 mm
-
35
5.5 mm
5
9
25.0 mm
-
50