Calling knowledgeable knitters!

[kickassangel]

I have been looking for a cheaper version of Rowan's Calmer to make myself a jumper. i like the debbie bliss cashmerino aran. both are double knits, but when i did a tension square, the debbie bliss was 13 cm, to rowan's 10 cm. does that mean that i can use it, but knit a smaller size to get the right finish? if so - how much smaller? it seems quite a big difference to me, but the pattern is a very loose rib, so may not come out quite so much bigger? please help!

Pretty much by definition, an aran isn't a DK. But as you probably know, it's all in the tension square.

What pattern are you using for the jumper?

To work out how much to change things by, you divide the expected length by the new one - so 10 cm / 13 cm = about .77. So multiply all stitch counts by .77, and adjust so it fits the rib size, as appropriate.

If you don't adjust, the sweater will come out about 1.3 times too big. So a 36 bust becomes nearly 47. Pretty big.

Oh, one cheat could be to follow the pattern in a smaller size (if available), but in the bigger yarn. That would probably be easier. Sleeves might come out a bit big though.

NB: you will probably need more weight of the aran to make the jumper, but less metres. Be careful to make sure you buy enough yarn the first time around.

wow, thanks. i will do the maths on the pattern, and see if it comes out close to one of the smaller sizes. i'm using the rowan calmer pattern (with pretentious names)and want to do 'tender'. the sleeves are already v. baggy, could i takt them down 2 sizes, and the main body one size, or would it be a disaster?

oh - how would i know how much yarn to use? they are both sold it 50 g balls, how do i find out how long that is? sorry to keep bombarding you with questions, but i want to get this right - it could be a very expensive mistake!

If you take them down different sizes, the top of the sleeves might not fit in the armholes, iyswim.

Figuring out the length is tricky. There are some techniques, but they're quite math-intensive, to put it mildly. Honestly, I'd just guess, but guess big, and buy yarn from a shop that will take back unused balls.

many thanks, i shall check the pattern again tonight & 'do the math' to get the nearest size. it will also make me feel slimmer than i really am!