Bought my wool and not sure what size needles.

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Bought my wool and not sure what size needles.
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sgt.colon

Joined: 27 Jul 2009
Posts: 7380
Location: Just south of north.

Posted: Mon Jul 18, 11 1:39 pm Post subject: Bought my wool and not sure what size needles.
Help please. I bought the wool last year and I want to start my project. Problem is, I'm not sure what size needle I need to use. The wools is, 800g Lambs Wool/Silk Aran Weight Yarn. I'm doing a scarf. Any help much appreciated. Thanks

T.G

Joined: 13 Sep 2009
Posts: 7280
Location: Somewhere you're not

Posted: Mon Jul 18, 11 1:41 pm Post subject:
If you're not using a pattern that suggest certain size needles then any you have will do if you are making the pattern up as you go

Nicky cigreen

Joined: 25 Jun 2007
Posts: 9726
Location: Devon, uk

Posted: Mon Jul 18, 11 1:43 pm Post subject:
is there a guide on the band label? there usually is otherwise I'd try 5mm pins

sgt.colon

Joined: 27 Jul 2009
Posts: 7380
Location: Just south of north.

Posted: Mon Jul 18, 11 1:50 pm Post subject:
TG. The pattern calls for a size 7. Not sure if it's US or UK. C.I.G. It's a big one for a knitting machine, so no band I'm afraid. I'm happy to go with a size 7, I just wanted to make sure I'd be ok, or if I had to use a certain sized needle.

Nicky cigreen

Joined: 25 Jun 2007
Posts: 9726
Location: Devon, uk

Posted: Mon Jul 18, 11 2:05 pm Post subject:
as it happens, a size 7 US is also old imperial size 7, which is 4.5mm see this chart whether it will work out depends on the yarn, your knitting tension etc. give it a go and see how it looks

sgt.colon

Joined: 27 Jul 2009
Posts: 7380
Location: Just south of north.

Posted: Mon Jul 18, 11 2:22 pm Post subject:
Thank you C.I.G. Looking at that chart I think I may try a 6 or 7mm needle. I was told by, Gil I think it was, that my wool will fluff up afterwards and that I need to soak it in some woolly stuff to take off the slight coating the wool has on it.

sally_in_wales
Downsizer Moderator

Joined: 06 Mar 2005
Posts: 20809
Location: sunny wales

Posted: Mon Jul 18, 11 3:36 pm Post subject:
I use 5mm with aran as default myself, if it was for something a bit looser and fluffier, I'd go up a bit, or if I wanted a very firm knit I'd try a 4.5mm to start with

Midland Spinner

Joined: 13 Jan 2009
Posts: 2931
Location: Under a green roof

Posted: Mon Jul 18, 11 3:48 pm Post subject:

sgt.colon wrote:

Thank you C.I.G.

Looking at that chart I think I may try a 6 or 7mm needle.

I was told by, Gil I think it was, that my wool will fluff up afterwards and that I need to soak it in some woolly stuff to take off the slight coating the wool has on it.

Unless the size given on the ball band says "mm" after it, it means the Size 7 (i.e. 4.5mm not 7mm )
The way I'd decide would be to poke the needle through a piece of paper, then pass the yarn through the hole - generally if the yarn fits the hole (without crushing the halo of fibres too much) then it will be a fair match for the needle.

Once you've sort of chosen a needle size, set to and make either a tension square, or a bit of the thing that you are knitting and have a good look at the fabric you are making. If you think it's a nice fabric, with a good handle and a nice drape for the effect you want, carry on. If not (it might be too tight, like a bit of card, or so floppy that you feel like washing pots with it) then go up or down in needle size until you find a combination you like.

sgt.colon

Joined: 27 Jul 2009
Posts: 7380
Location: Just south of north.

Posted: Mon Jul 18, 11 8:40 pm Post subject:
Thank you Sally and MS. I think I'll plump for some 6mm needles. Go for the inbetween. In future though I will go with your method MS.

gil
Downsizer Moderator

Joined: 08 Jun 2005
Posts: 18410

Posted: Mon Jul 18, 11 9:06 pm Post subject:

Before you set off with it, sgt.colon, hang on a mo !!!!!

I've got the same yarn as you, and I would knit it with needles between 4mm and 5mm, depending on how loose you want the knitting to be. 4mm being 'close-knit', 5mm more spacious, 4.5mm about 'normal'.

It is an aran weight, but on the light side. Even though it will fluff up when washed etc.

If it's the Irish Hiking Scarf with the cables, I'd deffo NOT use 6mm.

ETA : on the website for the yarn, it suggests 4-5mm needles, and I think that's right, going by my experience of knitting with it. Tis nice stuff !

sgt.colon

Joined: 27 Jul 2009
Posts: 7380
Location: Just south of north.

Posted: Mon Jul 18, 11 9:09 pm Post subject:
Thank you Gil. I knew you'd remember what wool it was. I've got some fours so it would mean I can start sooner now.

gil
Downsizer Moderator

Joined: 08 Jun 2005
Posts: 18410

Posted: Mon Jul 18, 11 9:10 pm Post subject:
What's the pattern ? What stitch does it use ? Just going to check what size needles I used to knit a cardi with that yarn - it was 4mm for the ribbing, and 4.5mm for the main stocking stitch body.

sgt.colon

Joined: 27 Jul 2009
Posts: 7380
Location: Just south of north.

Posted: Mon Jul 18, 11 9:14 pm Post subject:

Well I was going with a cable scarf but decided it may be beyond my current capablities so I'm going with this.

Materials: 1 hank of Blue Ridge Yarns, Pima Paints and size 7 knitting needles.
(This pattern can also be used for any worsted weight yarn requiring size 7 or 8 needles. You will need approximately 175 yards.)
Selvage Edge (optional): Knit in back of the first stitch, work pattern for the row, Slip the last stitch as if to Purl. Do this on each row for a finished edge.

But I'm going to be using the big ball I bought.

gil
Downsizer Moderator

Joined: 08 Jun 2005
Posts: 18410

Posted: Mon Jul 18, 11 9:19 pm Post subject:
A scarf needs to drape a bit, so I would be inclined to use 4.5 or 5mm. 4mm was OK for the edge of a cardi to stop it sagging. If you can knit socks and a sackboy, you can do cables !

sgt.colon

Joined: 27 Jul 2009
Posts: 7380
Location: Just south of north.

Posted: Tue Jul 19, 11 9:28 am Post subject:
Then I shall go and pick up some 5mm ones. Really, ok then I'll have another look at the original scarf but if Mrs C thinks it's bobbins when it's done, I'm blaming you.

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