[tweetypie007]

Hi,

I'm thinking of knitting a baby blanket. The pattern is for a 8ply or DK yarn. Thinking of using two strands so that it knits up quicker. What size needle should I use? 7mm? 8mm? Also do I only cast on half the amount suggested?

Anyone done this before and if you have do you think the outcome is the same?

Thanks in advance

[dr superfruity]

I have done this but think I didn't adjust the needle size because I was after something bulky at the time...

I was just wondering if it wouldn't get too much too handle especially as you are knitting a blanket. Are you planning on using large circular needles?

Sorry I can't be off more help...


edit double post

This post has been edited by superfruity: 21/04/2012, 09:43 AM

[RMTC]

You can try it, but changing yarn and needle size can change the pattern. It will not be exactly half the amount of stitches......two thirds maybe, depends on your gague. Best idea is to do a swatch with the yarn double and a larger needle and see how it comes out. You may only need to go up a couple of needle sizes too. If the pattern calls for a 4mm, maybe a 6mm, you may be able to stretch it to a 7mm? Depends how loose of tight you like your stitches to look. Double the yarn doesnt always mean half the time.

Another idea is to see if you can find another pattern you like that asks for a bulky or super bulky yarn (14 or 16 ply). Ravelry has a bunch.

I say give it a shot in a swatch and if it is not coming out how you'd like, find another pattern.

Good Luck! Hope it comes out gorgeous!

[JJ]

If you can get your hands on the latest issue of Yarn magazine, there was an article in there about this very thing. There's a formula you can use to calculate the new needle size, gauge and everything. I'm not good with numbers so I didn't really understand it. However, from experience it just takes a bit of experimentation. I recently knitted a pair of socks with two strands - I usually use 2.5mm needles for a single strand, and for the double-stranded ones I ended up using 4.5mm needles. I also tried 4mm (too tight) and 5mm (too loose). Maybe you could just knit a few swatches with different needle sizes and see which one fits your project best, depending on the pattern?

[tweetypie007]

Thanks everyone for your replies. I have decided to just knit the 1 strand. It's too hard doing the counting and swatches. Plus I think being a baby blanket it will be softer? with knitting using 1 strand.