Expert: Patricia - 6/7/2010

Question
how do I decrease or increase the size of an afghan pattern?  Specifically, I seem to make a lot of baby afghans (very simple as I am beginner to easy) and have many large patterns that I could modify down for a baby.  Can you help?

Answer
Hi Judy,
Coincidentally I'm working on that very same situation right now.  I have a baby blanket that I have scaled down to make smaller for my kitty cat.
It really depends on the design of the pattern, as to how to alter the size.  In my case, the pattern consists of a rectangle, block, rectangle, etc. all the way across.  So I found a place on the pattern where I could mentally "cut" by eliminating some of the squares and rectangles.

Then I literally mapped it out on paper so I could figure out my measurements.

Another thing is that you can go to a smaller or larger yarn than is called for in the pattern, plus go up or down on the hook size.  However, that won't change it as drastically as actually adding or taking out stitches.

If you can send me a pattern, I would be happy to see if I can work it out for you.
That may help you to figure out others on your own.

-Patricia