Help on substituting a yarn

[shonaspurtle]

I'm wanting to make a hooded top for my ds using a pattern in one of Debbie Bliss's Baby Cashmerino books.

I've made a couple of them for my nephew from BC but I quite fancy knitting this one in cotton as BC is pricy and also just for a change.

Now, BC is pretty much DK I thought but checked the tension and it's 10cm = 34 rows/25 stitches on 3.25 needles.

Rowan Handknit Cotton is 10cm = 28 rows/20 stitches on 4mm needles.

Can I just substitute? I'm doing my head in trying to work it out. Not experienced enough to alter the pattern really. It wouldn't be the end of the world if it ended up a bit bigger/smaller...

If you knit it with the Rowan without changing anything then it will be much bigger than it would have been with the BC. What I tend to do is to work out how much bigger and then do a different size, as opposed to altering the pattern (assuming it comes in different sizes). I can help with that as long as you tell me the measurements but it's quite straightforward maths really. Otherwise you could try a different yarn- it's sort of in between DK and 4 ply though, isn't it, so not so easy.

Actually, another thought- it's closer to Rowan's cotton glace, so maybe that's worth thinking about? Would still come up slightly bigger, but not very much so you could try knitting it on slightl smaller needles.

So if I just knit the size down to the one I want would still be in proportion? It really doesn't matter too much if it's big as he'll grow into it!

I see what you mean about the cotton glace but I like the softer finish of the handknit from what I remember (haven't got any glace mind you - just from having a feel in JL!)

Hmm, thinking about it the pattern tells you to knit to a particular length in cm in some parts but a particular number of rows in others.

So, I would have to knit to the length of the bigger pattern but the number of rows in the decrease sections etc of the smaller pattern. I'm inclined to just give it a go - it'd be a learning experience if nothing else!

Anyone think I'm doomed to fail before I go ahead and buy the yarn?

That's what I would do, shonaspurtle. Use the length in cm for the bigger size but no of rows for the smaller. It's not perfect but it usually works. I have to say I have only done it for adult and older child garments though, which I guess are more forgiving. I know what you mean about cotton glace, it's more shiny and hard than the HK.

Thanks Tamum! I'm tempted to wait and use the new Sirdar Baby Bamboo - just because I've got some bamboo nappies and they're so soft & I'd like to see what bamboo yarn is like...

...but I will resist as I have some HK so only have to buy a contrast colour and for such a part time, novice knitter my stash is embarrassingly large.