How to Change Knitting Gauge in a Pattern
How to Change Knitting Gauge in a Pattern
How to Use the Knitting Gauge Cast On Converter
Here’s how the Knitting Gauge Cast On Converter works. Let’s say you originally knit a scarf on size 10mm needles using super bulky weight yarn and it tells you to cast on 24 stitches. If you wanted to knit that same scarf with worsted weight yarn on 5mm needles, you can easily figure how many stitches to cast on using the Knitting Gauge Cast On Converter below. Make sure you take the time to figure out your new gauge (in 4 in/10 cm) by knitting a sample with your desired yarn and needle size first.
Here’s the information you’ll need handy to plug into the converter:
The current gauge that the pattern calls for — the number of stitches per 4 in/10 cm
Your new gauge — the number of stitches you have per 4 in/10 cm using your desired yarn and needle size (make sure you take the time to get this right)
The number of cast on stitches the original pattern calls for.
Once you plug these numbers into the Knitting Gauge Stitch Converter, you’ll be given a new number of cast on stitches using your new gauge and you’re ready to get started with your knitting project!
** Please note the cast on converter is an online tool that only allows a certain amount of impressions each month. Once it’s disabled, please use the calculations below to determine your new cast on stitch amount
How to Calculate Your New Cast On Stitches
Step 1: Find the Cast On Length
The first step is to determine the length of your cast-on stitches by calculating a ratio to the number of stitches in the original pattern gauge divided by 4 inches to the number of cast-on stitches the pattern calls for divided by X or the length you’re trying to find. X = Cast on length the original pattern calls for.
Original Gauge STS / 4 in = CO STS / X in
X = CO STS (4)/Gauge STS
For example, if my original gauge was 10 STS per 4 inches and my cast on amount was 56 STS, I would determine the cast on length by completing the following equation:
X = 56(4)/10
X = 22.4 in
Step 2: Find New Cast On Stitches
Now that you know how long the cast-on stitches in the original pattern are, you can work backward and find how many stitches you’ll need to cast on in your new gauge to get that same cast on length.
New Gauge STS / 4 in = X STS / Cast On Length
X = New Gauge STS(Cast On Length)/4
For example, if my new gauge is 15 stitches per 4 inches and I wanted to determine how many stitches to cast on based on the length I just calculated of 22.4 in, I would complete the following equation:
X= 16(22.4)/4
X = 89.6 or I would round up to 90 stitches as my new cast on stitches
Watch the Video Tutorial Using My Gauge Converter Tool
My Pattern Library is designed with beginner knitters in mind and includes many easy patterns with accompanying video tutorials.