I recently downloaded a pattern from Interweave Knits/Knitting Daily TV for "Twisted-V Pullover." The pattern calls for a DK weight (#3 Light) yarn; they used Filatura di Crosa "Zara". The gauge given is 20st/27rds=4" in st st worked in rounds; 24st/27rds=4" in twisted rib pattern, worked in rounds, both on the smaller needle. They specify US7 and US5 for needles.

According to the Tahki Stacy Charles website, Zara knits at 5.5st/in. Which sounds like #4 Worsted to me.

Can anyone help me make some sense out of this? Oh, and you start working on the larger needles, then go to the smaller. I can send the PDF or give you the link, if you'd like. I'm so unsure of this pattern that I haven't even bought the yarn. Thank you!

DK weight is defined as 21-24 stitches per 4 inches on 5 to 7 needles, so the pattern isn't contradictory. (5.5 x 4 = 22 st)

Thsi is according to the standards and guidelines at YarnStandards.com.

Oh, I see the 20 st per 4 inches now. If the pattern uses mostly the twisted rib and/or the size 7 needles, I wouldn't worry much about the 20-stitch gauge in stockinette.

Zara is a lovely yarn. Elann.com had a sale on Zara not too long ago and almost all of it sold it within days.

There's also a worsted weight version which I think is called Zara Plus.

I'm thinking of making this pattern too, but with some cotton DK weight yarn in my stash. I'm thinking if I make a smaller size giving me more negative ease, the tendancy of cotton to stretch won't matter so much.

I'm still having trouble seeing how I'll get 20st=4" with a DK weight and size 5 needles. I'll have to dig thru my leftover stash for some DK and play with it. Thanks!

Needle sizes is only a recommendation! Use what ever it takes to get the gauge you are after!

I find that I do have to make an adjustment to needle sizes, more often than I'd like. I always wonder "Who got that gauge, and how?"

Louise,

I agree I hardly ever use the recommended needle size! I wonder all the time who those knitters are who can knit with the recommended needle size well I know it isn't me!

I'm sorry but i have to confess. I am one of those knitters who always get gauge. If i use the same yarn, or a yarn with the same stitches and rows per inch, i never swatch. Don't ask me why but it never fails. It baffles me, because it has always been like that since i started knitting some 40 years ago. And i use patterns from different sources and different countries. My apologies to all knitters who have trouble getting gauge. My hat off for your percevierence

That used to be me. My rows per inch differed for circular vs. straight needles, but otherwise I always got the "standard" gauge, whatever I was knitting with. Not any more, though. I don't know if it is a result of the carpal tunnel surgery I had, or the rheumatoid arthritis I've acquired, or something else, but I'm quite unpredictable nowadays. And having been so spoiled in the past, I grumble a lot about swatching.:-)

quote:

Originally posted by Louise C:
I always wonder "Who got that gauge, and how?"

The designer got that gauge and she knits differently from you or me.

You can often shortcut some of the repeated swatchings if you know your own knitting style. I know that I knit thicker yarns quite loosely so I always begin swatching with needles two sizes smaller than recommended, and often get gauge the first time. With DK and fingering yarns, or with dpns, I tend to knit more tightly, so I begin swatching with the recommended size and work from there. The one thing I learned from experience NOT to do is try to knit looser or tighter to achieve a gauge. It just doesn't work; the muscles always revert to their habitual tension after a few rows.

Found some DK and started making swatches. Stopp the swatching when I started crying! the Dk weight knitted on size 9 needles made the 20st=4" gauge but was see through! I thought of swapping needle sizes, but there is stockinette and twisted rib on the same row. I've decided that this sweater is NOT meant to be mine!

Louise,
I'm really surprised at DK weight being done on size 9 needles! And does the original sweater look see-through? It seems that 20sts=4" seems kind of flimsy, if you know what I mean. I wonder if there is a mis-print in the pattern? Light worsted at that gauge seems wrong to me, but then I'm not the designer. Do you feel comfortable with knitting at a gauge that suits you better and adapting the pattern like-wise?

Instead of judging by another DK yarn, I would get some of that specific yarn and do a swatch. If it still doesn't work up to your satisfaction, you can decide what gauge produces the fabric you like and adapt the pattern to suit your gauge.

Google "Twisted-V Pullover" to check out the pattern. It should come up as a link to the Knitting Daily TV web site.

I've tried a couple of other DK weights, and decided that it's weird for me to deal with. Besides there's a lovely cardi called the "Whisper cardigan" in the Spring Interweave Knits, and it's more weather appropriate now!