Stitches

Do you have to use the size knitting needles it says?

I've just purchased a big ball wool because I liked the colour to make a scarf with. As I'm an inexperienced knitter I didn't think about the technical side (needle size, etc) so was wondering if someone could give me some guidance. It's "Jarol New Arrival - Double Knitting Baby Randoms." It says a 10cm x 10cm would be 22sts on 30 rows on 4mm (UK Size 8) Needles.

Public Comments

1. Yes if you want the pattern to turn out right
2. You must use the needle size that the pattern requires.If you don't the tension will not be right.
3. If you do not use the size recommended the size will be bigger or smaller
4. Yes, you need to use the needle size they recommend, especially as a new knitter. Once you're more experienced, and learn how to Gage, then you can try other sizes. Good luck!
5. If you use a diferent size needle to that listed in the pattern, you will need more stitches (if they're smaller) or less (if they're bigger) to make the same size of garment as the needle size listed. Eg, if you use 6mm needles you will need less stitches to make the same width scarf than if you used 4mm. Hope you understand what I mean, happy knitting.
6. For a scarf, use any size needle you want. Cast on stitches and knit a 4" square. Then you can count how many stitches are in 4" and figure out how many stiches to cast on to make the width you want This web site has several scarf patterns. It's a US site, so measurements are in inches instead of metric: www.lionbrand.com
7. With a scarf, a size up or down doesn't really matter. If you are 'precision' knitting (say a jumper) and you want it to actually fit, then you do need to make sure you have the right size needles. Also make sure your tension is correct otherwise the item will be too big or too small!
8. knitting patterns are sized. Using a different type yarn or needle throws off the entire pattern. However, with something like a scarf, if its one of those long narrow ones, you can use a different size needle knowing that the scarf won't be as wide or as narrow as the pattern says depending upon if your needles are larger or smaller than the pattern calls for.
9. Yes, the needle size determines the loop and therefore the pattern size. If you make a pattern using size 6 and it says use size 10 the final item will come out the wrong size. You should also do a test run to make sure your stiches are the size tension as in the pattern, there are normally a couple of lines about this in the pattern...something about how many stiches per inch etc. Arh, I've just re-read your question....A scarf, it should not matter. Good luck My bit of advice....my wife knits faster when watching a horror film, you might want to arrange that !
10. Hi! Well, since you're planning on making a scarf with the yarn, then gauge doesn't really matter, since it doesn't have to end up fitting (like a sweater would for instance). So you can use whatever size needles you'd like. Keep in mind, though, that needles much larger than the size 8 recommended will produce an airy, loose fabric, and needles much smaller than 8 will produce a dense, tight weave fabric. So really it all depends on the kind of look you're going for. Certainly one needle size up or down from 8 wouldn't make too drastic a difference. Keep in mind (if you ever do go to knit a sweater or other fitted garment) - that gauge (the knitted stitch and row count) is extremely important in those cases and you should use whatever needle size gives you the gauge required in the pattern. (Which is usually the needle size recommended in the pattern.) Hope that helps!
11. Not necessarily - it depends how tightly you knit. Try the size they say and knit a tension square (need not be that big) and check what they say it should be. If it's smaller than they say, you need a size larger and vice versa. Sometimes people will use 2 different sized needles to get a good tension, because you sometimes see what knitting judges call "2 x 2" knitting on the back of stocking stitch caused by working one row (usually the purl row) more loosely than the other. Using 2different sizes corrects it. It's worth taking the time to check tension to save the disappointment if a thing doesn't turn out the right size. I've been knitting since I was 3 or 4, and now 81, so I do know what I'm talking about, and Im also a knitting judge!
12. RP's answer is the best so far. Try a test piece and measure to see if 22 stitches is 10cm wide. If it is wider try a size smaller needle or if it is less than 10cm try a size smaller needle. I tend to knit a bit too loosely especially with smooth wools. I find using bamboo needles corrects this problem although they are more expensive and break if you are not careful with them.