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Converting Patterns

Patterns for Size 14

Neckline: 42 st

Back: center 25 st, then 4 st 1x and 2 st 1x

co

lO

+ 10 st = 130 st

	120 st	i *
131	52	I3I

56

Front: center 15 st, then 3 st 1x. 2 st 2x, and 1 st 4x

co CO

O co

This means 56 stitches in total—i.e., 28 stitches per side—have to be increased.

These increases must be evenly divided over all the rows: 40 x 3 = 120 rows in total. Now divide 120 by 28 = 4.29. This means that you have to increase approximately every fourth row: 28 x 4 = 112. Since the distance from the last increase to binding off is supposed to be approximately the same as that between increases, it is too large here. Divide the extra 4 rows over the beginning of the sleeve. This means that you can increase 1 stitch on both sides every sixth row twicc, and every fourth row 26 times. Or you can divide the first few increases even morę evenly: Increase 1 stitch alternately every fourth and sixth row 4 times, then 1 stitch every fourth row 24 times =116 rows.

In generał, increases are spaced farther apart at the bottom end ot the sleeve and closer together to-wards the top ot the sleevc. As an example: You want to make the sleeve only \ĄVi long but still increase 28 stitches. t his means: 108 rows divided by 28 = 3.86. There-fore, some increases have to be worked every fourth row, some every third row—i.e., alternately every second and fourth row.

The answer is: Increase 1 stitch every fourth row 20 times = 80 rows, then alternately every second and fourth row 8 times = 24 rows—i.e., 104 rows in total.

Here’s a littie trick: II you multiply 18 X 4 in the example above, you get 112 rows. You have 108 rows— i.e., 104 rows to the last increase.

The difference between 112 and 104 is 8. Therefore, you work 8 increases with a smaller distance between them.

Another example: You want to divide the 28 increases up over 94 rows: 94    28 = 3.35. Here you

multiply 28 x 3 = 84 rows. The number of rows available for in-creases is 90 = 6 rows difference. Therefore, you must increase at a greater distance 6 times = 6 X every fourth row and 22 x every third row—i.e., alternately every second and fourth row = 90 rows.

Working in Different Patterns

First ot all, you have to knit a sample piece of each pattern Kir gauge. Then count the number ot stitches and rows. Here’s an example: You want to knit a sweater that has 3 cables on the front and back, and a center cable on the sleeve. Samples of stockinette stitch give you 16 stitches for a 4" X 4" scjuare, or 4 stitches per inch. The cable, which is madę up of 26 stitches, is 4.8" wide. The sweater you want to make is 24" wide, the sleeve is 11.2" wide after the wrist-band ribbing, and 23.2" wide at the

top.

The calculation for the front and back: 24" - 14.4" for the 3 cables = 9.6". 9.6 x 4 = 38.4 stitches + 2 selvedge stitches = 40 stitches. This means that you need a total of 40 + 78 stitches for the cables =118 stitches. The 40 stitches in stockinette stitch are divided up between the cables—for example, 8 stitches between each of the cables and 12 stitches at each side.

The calculation for the sleeves is as follows: After the wristband ribbing: 11.2"-4.8" cable = 6.4" x 4 = 25.6 stitches. Add the 2 seh edge stitches and the 26 stitches for the cable =

54 stitches. At the end of the sleeve: 23.2" -4.8" = 18.4" x 4 = 73.6.

Add 2 selvedge stitches and 26 stitches for the cable = 102 stitches. You must increase 24 stitches on both sides. With a sleeve lengrh of 18", you have 99—i.e., 100 rows to work with. 100 - 24 = 4.17; 4x24 = 96. Therefore, you must increase 1 stitch every fourth row 24 times.

Following this principle, you can perform these calculations for any pattern.

This pattern chart is on page 215.

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