AN EASY WAY TO KNIT
A LARGER SIZE THAN THE PATTERN OFFERS
Consider simply changing to a bulkier yarn and a larger stitch size. Most bulky machines will handle the low end of #5 yarn [aka chunky, bulky] at the top stitch sizes and get a gauge of about 3.5 stitches per inch. A yarn I have used successfully in this weight range on knitting machines is Northlands Timbers, from Herrschnerr's. Changing to such a yarn and following a pattern that was designed for a gauge of 4 stitches/inch will make the final product 1.14 times the size given in the pattern. It will also be proportionately longer.
The same principle is at work if, using a standard gauge machine, you select a yarn that knits at 6.5 rather than 7 stitches per inch. The new gauge will make the resulting garment 1.07 times the stated size. If the largest size at the original gauge is 50", it changes to 53" at the replacement gauge.
Using my Bulky Cardi-kets book as an example, the original largest sizes are Waterfall=54", Cabled Classic=46", Cross Bred Cardi=48, Fancy Threads=51", New Di-rection=58", Notch Collar Cardi=51", Greek Key Coat-52", Bonus Blouse=52", Winter Cheer=46" [for this explanation I have dropped values beyond the decimal point.]
If you make this simple change, the largest size possible for each pattern in my Bulky Cardi-kets bookis as follows Waterfall=62", Cabled Classic=53", Cross Bred Cardi=55, Fancy Threads=58", New Di- rection=58", Notch Collar Cardi=59", Greek Key Coat-59", Bonus Blouse=61", Winter Cheer=52". Opera Wrap cannot be enlarged using this method.
You may find that you don't actually require the largest size so, to predict how a particu-lar size will turn out if bulkier yarn is used, multiply the size given in the pattern by 1.14. The result is the expected measurement using thicker yarn. Of course, you don't have to use yarn that is maximally bulky. If a yarn that gets 3.75 stitches/ inch is used instead. the result is 1.066 times the original size. A quarter of a stitch per inch is not a very noticeable change in the gauge but can make quite a difference to fit. A few yarns at the very top of the number 4 range get this gauge. It would make the largest possible size for each pattern: Waterfall=58", Cabled Classic=50", Cross Bred Cardi=52, Fancy Threads=54", New Direction=54", Notch Collar Cardi=57", Greek Key Coat-59.
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