There are just some things that are handy to know when you are a knitter. I’ve rounded up some of my favorite knitting tips and references to share with you today.
Knitting with Two Strands Held Together
The benefit: this allows you to make up the weight you need in the color you need, or lets you use two different colors for a heathered look, or two different types of yarn for a more textured look.
2 strands lace = fingering weight
1 strand each of lace + fingering = sport weight
2 strands fingering = DK weight
2 strands sport = worsted weight
2 strands DK = bulky weight
2 strands worsted = super bulky weight
What do the numbers mean in knitting?
Size 0 = Lace Weight
Size 1 = Superfine (sock or fingering weight)
Size 2 = Fine (sport or baby weight)
Size 3 =- Light (DK weight)
Size 4 = Medium (worsted, afghan or aran weight)
Size 5 = Bulky (chunky weight)
Size 6 = Super Bulky (roving)
Size 7 = Jumbo (bigger roving)
How big do I make my afghan/blanket?
Lovey = 12″ x 12″
Baby/Stroller Blanket = 30″ x 35″
Receiving Blanket = 40″ x 40″
Toddler Blanket = 40″ x 60″
Lap Blanket = 36″ x 48″
Throw Blanket = 48″ x 60″
Twin Bed Blanket = 70″ x 90″
Full Bed Blanket = 85″ x 90″
Queen Bed Blanket = 90 x 95
King Bed Blanket = 108 x 95
What length circular needle should I use?
(shared from Cascade’s Facebook page)
How do I adjust needle size to get gauge?
Larger needles make larger stitches. Smaller needles make smaller stitches.
If your pattern calls for a gauge of 7 stitches per inch and you are getting 8 stitches per inch, you need your stitches to be bigger. Try going up a needle size.
If your pattern calls for a gauge of 7 stitches per inch and you are getting 6 stitches per inch, you need your stitches to be smaller. Try going down a needle size.
How much yarn do I need for my project?
Of course yardage will vary greatly depending on the size you are making. But these estimates will give you a guideline if you see yarn in the shop that you must have, even if you haven’t picked out a pattern yet! (We all know how that goes.)
Need info on cast ons, bind offs, and other techniques? Check out our videos (always available from the YouTube link at the bottom of our homepage.)
Do you have any other knitting tips or information that you find yourself looking up often? Share in the comments!
Happy knitting and happy weekend to you –
Sheri
Wow. What a great list!!!!
Thanks for taking the time to compile this for us. It’s really appreciated.
You’re welcome, Patty – thanks for your nice comment!
This is so helpful to have all together. Thank you so much for sharing this info in this way!
I needed it together for my own self – happy to share! Thanks for your nice note, Karen. 🙂
Great info- thanks for putting it all together in useable charts.
Hi Robin – you’re welcome! I need to keep that yardage chart on my phone, I think.
Sheri, this is golden. Having it all in a handy dandy place (instead of juggling in our heads or on ancient ‘index cards’—remember those?–is brilliant, a lovely gift in this season of gratitude!
Ah, index cards. I kind of miss those. 🙂 But you’re right – easier to be able to pull it up on our phones whenever we need it!
This is amazing. Thank you so much for all this information in one place!!!! Your generosity is very much appreciated. Happy Knitting!!
So glad it will be useful to you! Thanks for your comment. 🙂
Best guide ever ! Answers so many questions for me. This will be a well used reference!
Merry Christmas
Thanks! So many of my questions answered in a handy reference guide. I will keep it on my phone ANd print it out!
I’m doing the same, Pam!
Thank you!
I love this!
🙂
Thanks for this!!!
I would like to clarify is that what you’ve labeled as “Stitches/inches” is really the American size of the needle and that this heading rightfully belongs across the top of the cir. needle length. I would also like to suggest that you include the mm size along with the American size of needles and expand the yardage chart to include super bulky weights. Some of us live for projects on size 15 & 17 needles.
Thanks again!!
You’re correct, Linden! That was a chart that I shared from Cascade, not one that I created myself. So I can’t adjust it, but hopefully it will still be helpful in this format!
GREAT tips Sheri~going to screenshot them all.
Thank you and Happy Thanksgiving!
Happy Thanksgiving to you too, Gayle!
Thank you so much!!!
You’re welcome!
Wonderful information thanks for putting together …. this is so handy
Thanks, Heather – I’m glad it will be helpful to you. I needed it all in one place for myself, too!
Thank You Sheri! Would you mind if I shared in our Guild Newsletter as long as I reference where it came from?
Hi Pam – you can share it if you reference us. Thank you!
Thank you!! This is awesome.
I am going to print this out and keep with me for ever. Thanks !
Thank you for these handy charts. They will be used!
Wow! So helpful! Thanks for all this information
You are just the greatest. Amazing ladies doing an amazing job of serving us crafters.
Thank you, Sheri, for putting all this together. I especially appreciated the info on minimum sts for circular needle lengths! I hadn’t seen that anywhere before!
An incomparable Thanksgiving gift from you to all of us. We are grateful that you have taken the time to do this. Enjoy your Thanksgiving Day. Rest, thank the Lord, and wishing your company the best for years to come.
Awesome compilation of information! Thank you for getting it all together. I’m especially eager to try putting two strands together. There is a yarn/knitting destructive four month old puppy in the house, so knitting time is currently very limited. Hopefully this will pass soon and I’ll get to experiment! 😉
Thank you! Very very helpful information!…especially about holding two yarns together!!
What a wonderful resource! Thank you.
Thank you Sheri,
These are things I have wondered about for years!
Janie
Can I print this infomation?
Hi Joan – you can certainly print it for your own use. I’m glad you found it helpful!