Today I recived a message from a potenial buyer for one of my patterns. It is a lace wash cloth pattern and the writer wanted to know what needle size I would recommend her to use so that she could check she had the right needles before she purchased the pattern.
The thing is - there really isn't a simple answer to that, so I ended up writing quite a long answer. It isn't the first time I have been asked that question from fellow knitters - so here is my response. I hope that it helps with whatever you are knitting.
Hi Sue
Thank you for your email. The needle size is dependent on the yarn that you are using and your personal choice for your cloth. This pattern uses up scraps of yarn, so you can use any yarn that you desire. Thin yarn will yield a thin washcloth, thicker yarn a chunkier one. Needle size should be appropriate to the yarn thickness. Look at the ball band to get a general idea, but it is still up to you - if you want a thicker, tighter fabric, go down a needle size and if you want something looser with more drape, choose a larger needle size. Lace work for a shawl is generally knitted on a needle a little larger than usual for the yarn - so that it will have a looser, softly draping fabric, but a wash cloth could be stiffer or thicker as you choose. I often knit mine using a 4 ply cotton and 3.5mm or 4mm needles. But it really, really is up to you!
If you want to change what you have made, learn what you can from it - how would you choose to change it, do you want it thicker, thinner, stiffer or looser. Decide what yarn / needles you will try next - then keep your sample or rip it back. Next time you will feel more confident in deciding what you will choose to do. I generally keep a record of the experiments that I have tried, and use that information to make my choices next time.
Also remember that everyone knits to a different tension, which is completely OK. So even if the pattern tells you which yarn and needle size to use, you may adjust that so that your kitting comes out to the right size and shape as designed. When you are creating a fitted garment it is very important that you knit to the correct gauge/tension. For a garment, read the pattern carefully, seek out the tension information, and be sure to knit a tension square using the specified stitch. Measure your tension carefully and if you are not at the correct tension, adjust your needle size accordingly. Always change needle size - never try to adjust by knitting looser or tighter, you will rarely be consistent and so your knitting will likely turn out uneven. When you have a needle size that gives you the correct (or as near as you can get it) tension, then use those needles to make the garment. Which will then end up at the size and shape designed by the pattern designer. And is consequently likely to fit you better. That is the value of gauge/tension square knitting!
For knitting a piece of fabric (as in this pattern) needle size will affect the thickness and drape of the fabric. That is your personal choice and does not affect the knitting experience of the pattern.
I really hope that helps.
Best wishes
Nikki
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