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About Samantha Hilver
Expertise
I can answer any questions related to hand knitting. I'm very familiar with all sorts of stitches and techniques and can help troubleshoot or get you through sticky spots when it comes to figuring out a pattern or figuring out how to write your own.

Experience
I've been knitting since the seventh grade and although I'm perfectly capable of following a pattern I prefer to free-style most of my work.

Education/Credentials
I've taught myself how to knit from countless library and second-hand books and help from friends and relatives, but I've never taken a knitting class.

You are here: Experts > Home/Garden > Arts and Crafts > Knitting > Conversion of yarn/needle sizes

Knitting - Conversion of yarn/needle sizes

Expert: Samantha Hilver - 10/18/2009

Question
I have a very old sweater pattern that calls for Botany Colossal yarn. It is a bulky yarn knitted on size 15 needles. I like the pattern very much and would like to convert it to a use a worsted weight yarn and a size 7 needle. Is this possible. Thank you very much for your assistance.

Gerry M.

Answer
Hi Gerry!
As long as you're sticking with the pattern's gauge, you should be able to follow it no problem with a little bit of math. The pattern should have the gauge written among the introduction instructions, usually the number of rows and stitches that equal 2 or 4 inches. Simply find the gauge you'll be working with (the number of stitches/rows to 2 inches with your worsted yarn on size 7 needles) and find the ratio.

Ex) Original gauge (2 inch): 5 stitches new gauge: 15 stitches (That's not very accurate for
8 rows 16 rows the sake of the example)

You'd use each ratio for each item (1/3 for stitches and 1/2 for rows) then you use that ratio for every number in the pattern so if it says to cast on 20 stitches, you'd use the 1/3 stitch ratio and cast on 60.
I hope this isn't too complicated. Write back for another example if you're confused!
Sam

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