Math + Yarn = Great Results (or 7 Articles to Read About Adjusting Your Pattern)

January 31st, 2012 by Zontee

When it comes to improvising knit & crochet designs of your own or adjusting patterns, there’s almost always a little math to be done. Don’t be intimidated though! A little arithmetic will take you a long way, allowing you to make sure you get the results you’re looking for.

To help you on your way, here are jut a few blog posts you’ll want to read before adjusting your patterns.

• How to Evenly Space Your Increases/Decreases – Laura demystifies how to space your increases and decreases.
• Did You Know…? All About Yardage – Figure out how much yarn you need when substituting.
• Want a Bigger Garment? Use a Thicker Yarn! – I show you how I resized a garment with a thicker yarn and a little math.
• Keep Track of Your Measurements – To adjust a pattern to fit you, you’ll need to know your body measurements. Do it with this handy chart.
• Swatch This! – An accurate gauge swatch will help you do accurate math. Learn how to make a good gauge swatch here.

Improvising/Adjusting a Rectangular Project

Want to use a stitch pattern to create a scarf, shawl, or afghan? Read this article. Want to adjust an existing scarf/shawl/afghan pattern? Read this one.

Book Recommendations

Beyond all of this, there are a ton of great books out there that teach you how to make different sweaters, hats, gloves, and more based on basic formulas, including the Ann Budd’s The Knitter’s Handy Book of Patterns and The Knitter’s Handy Book of Sweater Patterns, and Knits Men Want by Bruce Weinstein.

There are also a lot of books that teach you how to adjust patterns to fit your body measurements including Knitting Plus by Lisa Shroyer, Custom Crocheted Sweaters by Dora Ohrenstein, and Fitted Knits by Stefanie Japel.

With a little knowledge, a little practice, and a little math, you’ll find that you can make just about any pattern work for you.

Have you adjusted patterns to fit your needs? Share your tips in the comments!