I need to resize a knitting pattern...but how?
By ragmama
@ragmama (536)
United States
April 2, 2007 1:35pm CST
I found out today that my good friend's baby-on-the-way is a girl, and I have a pattern for a darling sweater I'd love to make for her. Only thing is, the smallest size on the pattern is six months, and I need more like a three month size (so it'll actually fit the baby in the winter.) Does anyone have any tips on resizing the pattern? How many stitches to take from the body, sleeves, etc? I don't want to cut it down too much and have the sweater be doll-sized or anything - but along those same lines, this is NOT going to be a huge baby. Some insight would be greatly appreciated!
1 person likes this
5 responses
@twilight021 (2059)
• United States
2 Apr 07
Resizing is something that I find really challanging. What I sometimes to is use smaller needles than the pattern indicates. I then do a swatch and see how much things have changed. Sometimes that's enough, other times I have to get more creative.
For "length", like with sleeves and stuff, it's a little easier, I just stop when I think it's long enough. It's the "width" piece that is more difficult. And this is where swatching (which I hate to do) comes into play.
Another option is looking at the pattern. If it has different sizes indicated try to figure out how many stitches they used to change the size and just follow that ration to make it one more size smaller.
Good luck!
1 person likes this
@ragmama (536)
• United States
3 Apr 07
Blech, I hate making swatches too. And the pattern is already done on size 2s and 3s, so switching to smaller needles (which otherwise sounds like a great idea) just won't do it here! I'll definitely take a look at the pattern and try to figure out the 'formula' though. Thanks for the tips!!
@cutepenguin (6431)
• Canada
2 Apr 07
I also think that using smaller needles might work. Say the pattern says that gauge should be ten stitches to four inches, and instead you get ten stitches to 3 inches. That would perhaps work.
Either that or I would divide the number of stitches by five and then multiply the number I got by 3.
1 person likes this
@songbirdnaimh (1422)
• United States
3 Apr 07
I responded to this yesterday but can't find my response...strange.
I just said that I always have trouble with this and it's realy "hit or miss" for me. If it is a special project I would go to a yarn store and seek help from the people there.
@Loverbear (4918)
• United States
8 May 07
With everything under the sun on the net, I would also do a search by typing in: knitting, resizing, pattern and see what you get.
@cowgirl03051979 (918)
• United States
11 Oct 11
hmm i am not sure how to resize a knitting pattern i suggest that you just wing it and go with the flow when you start knitting it three years ago when i first learned to knit i was never taught how to read a knitting pattern and i still do not know how to read one i would like to eventually learn how to read a knitting pattern when i get more time on my hands but so far just winging it and making up what sitiches to make off the top of my head are working just fine for me i would suggest this to anyone because it lets you be more creative and put your own twist on the pattern it also lets you make clothing garments suited especially to your own body type
