AboutLesley Arnold-Hopkins Expertise I can answer questions on all types of knitting on needles (ie not loom knitting) including Fairisle, intarsia, lace and basic knitwear design. I can also answer on crochet, including tapestry crochet, but I do not have sufficient knowledge of toys or stuffed animals to call myself an expert.
Experience I've been knitting and crocheting for over 35 years. In that time I have made a variety of items, incorporating a range of stitch techniques and have designed my own garments. I have had patterns published in the UK (crochet and knitting) and teach both crafts.
Publications Suite 101
Education/Credentials BA(Hons)Open (not related to knitting or crochet, but shows my highest level of education)
Question My local wool shop does not stock much Aran weight yarn (they say it is more popular/common in the US - I am in the UK). They suggest I use two strands of DK and size 5mm (US8) needles to get the equivalent. I want to knit some baby blankets for two of my children who are both having their first babies at the same time!!! Is this correct advice, please? Many thanks
Answer Hi Tessa,
Congratulations on becoming a grandmother twice!
I'm in the UK too, and have not had trouble getting Aran weight yarn (Debbie Bliss does a nice one, for example, although it can be a bit pricey - particularly if you've got to buy two lots!). However, the choice is more limited, so you may not find the colours or fibres that you like.
A tension square would be the best way to check, but personally, I would say that two strands of DK may be a little on the heavy side, and knit up more like a chunky weight yarn, so if you really can't get any Aran, you have a couple of options:
Use DK and 4 ply together. It's unlikely that you'll get an exact colour match, but two different colours together can give a nice effect, so may be worth a try.
Use 2 strands of DK, and have a heavier blanket. Check your tension to make sure that you're not making something that's far too big.
Use DK on its own and 4mm needles. Obviously, following the blanket pattern exactly will make a smaller finished item (comparing your tension square to the one in the pattern will give you a guide to how much smaller). Is this a pattern you could enlarge by putting in another pattern repeat? Or making an edging?
I hope that the above is of some help, but if I can do anything else, please let me know.
Many thanks
Lesley
Hi Tessa,
I've just had a quick look on Ravelry (if you're not on this site, I'd recommend it - www.ravelry.com) and it looks as though Rowan, Debbie Bliss and Araucania do cottons in Aran Weight, and Rowan also does a Bamboo. I don't know if you're a yarn purist, but dare I also mention the dreaded "A" word - Acrylic? If I dare, Stylecraft do a "Special Aran" which is 100% acrylic. Not always the softest, I know, but machine washable and okay for those with wool allergies.
Good luck with the yarn shopping. If you get onto ravelry and would like to say hi, my name on the site is "lahlah".
