Once you’ve learned to hold the knitting needles and the basic stitches & techniques, you must try out working on knitting projects. While a scarf or dishcloth are generally believed to be beginner-friendly projects but a sweater or cardigan is a worthwhile challenge that takes you straight into the world of garment making. When you are starting out as a new knitter, the best choice would be following a knitting pattern for step-by-step instructions on knitting the projects, the knitting needles, yarn, and the gauge. Knitting patterns are a set of instructions that help knitters create a project with their knitting needles. Patterns are written like recipes, followed step by step with all ingredients. But, even then a knitting pattern can be altered or customized. You can alter the pattern to work with a different knitting needle (type or size), a different yarn weight, or the final measurements for other purposes.
For example, if you have been working with a knitting pattern that says to work with US 8 double-pointed needles with a DK yarn weight. You can alter the pattern and work with a US 7 or 6-needle size and a different yarn and circular knitting needles. This may sound like an easy change but there are many calculations behind making the change.
To make things smooth, here we are here to discuss how to alter a knitting pattern.
Step 1 – Examine your knitting pattern
Read your knitting pattern carefully through each section of tools, gauge and even steps. When you get to the needle size, you may choose to work with the same size or a smaller or larger size. The same is for yarn weight, you may work with a different weight or fiber.
Step 2 – Knit a Gauge Swatch
Knitting a gauge swatch is the most important step of a project. Now, if you’ve altered the needle size or yarn weight, then it is important that you knit a gauge swatch. If you are working on a flat pattern, make a flat swatch and if you are knitting in the round, it is recommended to have a swatch made the same way.
When your swatch is ready, wash and block it. After, it’s dry take a measuring tape and mark an inch on the fabric. With the pointy tip of your knitting needle, count stitches vertically for row count and horizontally for stitch count. Note down the count and compare it with the knitting pattern.
Step 3 – Take Measurements
When you are following a knitting pattern for a garment, you may need to alter the measurements for the perfect fit. Take body measurements including shoulders, arm length, wrist length bust, waist, hips, and wherever the knitting pattern mentions measurements. Your measuring tape will come in handy. Do factor in the positive ease. You can also measure a knitted garment with the proper fit to make taking the measurements easier. If the garment is a scarf or hat or even a hat, you can still work without altered measurements but with standard sizes. But, do keep in mind the negative ease for the proper fit.
Step 4 – Adjust the remainder of the knitting pattern
Now with major calculations done, you can cast on stitches on your knitting needles. But, you will need to adjust the rest of the knitting pattern. Find the number of stitches required to cast on with the gauge swatch. You can also multiply the number of stitches per inch to plan the armholes, neckline, and length and a few of the areas that require adjustment to achieve the perfect fit. You need to go back to the knitting pattern and then reassess the stitch and row count for those sections when it’s a garment.
If you do not have the plan to keep an eye on the fit, you can try out the project when it is already on the knitting needles. Mark those sections with stitch markers.
Step 5 – Take Notes
Resizing a knitting pattern in a way is re-designing your own knitting project. Be sure to take notes so while reading the pattern, again when making calculations, and put them down on paper. This way you can refer it any point of the pattern. This will also help in case you make a mistake or want to knit the same project again, the alteration work will already be done.
Now get started with your knitting project.
Reading and following knitting patterns is a lesson. With time, you will get better. Similarly key to perfectly altering a knitting pattern is, practice and practice. A gauge swatch is going to be your guide and you may have to swatch a number of times to get the correct measurements. Knitting is fun and with the right tools and accessories from Lantern Moon Collection, you’ll have a pleasurable time. Experience smooth crafting with premium knitting needles and accessories handcrafted by skilled artisans. You can choose individual needles or explore the range of interchangeable circular needle sets for all your knitting needs.
Source by- https://www.zupyak.com/p/3590617/t/how-to-resize-a-knitting-pattern
