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HeartStrings FiberArts
Knitting patterns to delight and inspire

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"I just love the simplicity of your patterns and the complexity of their appearance."
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Choosing Needle Size

A useful method to choose a starting needle size to use for swatching your yarn

A useful guideline for choosing knitting needle size is to double the yarn you want to use, then hold that up to a knitting needle gauge. The hole that the doubled yarn just barely covers is a guideline for the needle size you may want to use to start swatching your yarn. This method is especially useful if you are using an unlabeled or handspun yarn where suggested needle size is not available.

Caution – don't take this as an absolute in the final decision as to what needle size you will use for your project! Following blindly may yield a fabric that is too stiff, or doesn't show the pattern stitch well, or gives you a lacy effect you weren't looking for.

Gauge and "feel" of the knitted fabric is a factor of more than just the thickness of the yarn, although yarn thickness is the a primary factor and usually the first thing you want to consider when targetting in on the optimum needle size to use for your project. That is why the knitting gauge method is a good guideline to find a starting needle size for your swatching. But remember that it is just the starting place and might need adjusting. See What is the Correct Gauge?

Return to Index of Jackie E-S Articles & Tips.

HeartStrings FiberArts is a wholesale pattern company. I encourage individuals to visit your local yarn store or check the Store Locator to purchase patterns. If you don't already have a favorite retailer from whom to buy, you can use the HeartStrings online catalog at Shopatron. This service will find a retailer who has the patterns you want in stock and will ship to you promptly.

Questions? Comments? - I love to hear from you, whether it be to get advice about your HeartStrings knitting projects, to make suggestions, or to share news of your accomplishments. Kind regards, Jackie E-S

Email address: jackie@heartstringsfiberarts.com
On-line wholesale orders: http://www.heartstringsfiberarts/wholesaleorder.shtm
Wholesale orders by phone or fax: 1-888-955-8094 (toll-free outside New Orleans area) or 985-764-8094
Direct line for chats or advice: 985-764-8094
Postal address: HeartStrings, Jackie Erickson-Schweitzer, 53 Parlange Drive, Destrehan LA 70047-2133 USA

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Last revised Saturday, 28-Oct-2006 09:11:08 CDT