Any hints, suggestions or ideas for modifying patterns to your size?
Many times I'll see a pattern that I love and then see that it doesn't have my size... I'm thinking this is a common delema. There must be a formula or technique to modify a pattern to that perfect size... Any suggestions?
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Debbie Young on -
I have found that sometimes using a larger needle will do the trick. Knit a 2 inch square and figure out the difference, this works great with a plain knit, but you can do laces too, the pattern just is a bit bigger.
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Permalink Reply by Kim on -
that sounds like a simple solution (simple is so much better than math!)... that's for the tip!
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Permalink Reply by finngirl on -
I've never found a formula or techniques. I've been trying to figure out how to modify patterns on my own. Here are some thoughts I've had, but I haven't actually produced a finished garment with them, so add that grain of salt!
I used to do a lot of sewing, so I try to look at the schematic of the garment to figure out where I could add to the size. I also measure a similar garment (if I have one) that fits well and compare the measurements to the schematic. Using the gauge information tells me how many stitches and rows I'd need to add.
You might want to go to the library and check out some books on fitting sewing patterns. The techniques might be somewhat different, and I'm sure you can make changes with fabric that you can't do with knitting, and vice versa. But you may get useful information on where to alter the knitting pattern for your specific shape.
Here's another approach I've considered. If I like the stitch details in a garment, like cables down the sleeves, or changing to lace below the bustline for an empire effect, I'll look for a similar plain pattern in my size. Then I look at the gauge and pattern repeats to see how I could incorporate the same stitch details into the right-size pattern. I think that would call for lots of swatching the different stitch patterns!
All this sounds like a lot of work, which might be why I haven't produced any finished garments yet. But I'm really fed up with looking at knitting patterns I love that won't go around me, so I'm plunging in! See the discussion I started in this KAL titled Going Larger. I'm going to keep posting my progress there. Best of luck to both of us, and to anyone else who wants to give going larger a try!
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Permalink Reply by cherylbwaters on -
Great ideas on how this might work. You have taken a very analytical approach that should work. I really like that kind of reasoning. Maybe because that is the way I think, too.
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Permalink Reply by finngirl on
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Thank you! I've always been analytical -- sometimes my friends tell me I'm overthinking the problem. But it's fun delving into the hows and wherefores, isn't it?
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Permalink Reply by cherylbwaters on
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You bet it is. I often overthink things also.
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Permalink Reply by FadedLily on -
I enlarged and changed quite a lot on a sundress I'm making for my niece. The skirt part was not to bad, I just figured out the measurements at the top and bottom of the skirt, based on measurements of her that my Mom took, and using my gauge figured out how many stitches to CO and how many I should have when I got to the top. Then I figured out the difference between the top and bottom and from there how many stitches needed to be decreased and how often the decreases should happen. For the top I actually took the measurement at the top and the height of the bodice and cut out the shape I wanted, taking into account the way I wanted to knit it, (it will be a faux wrap) and cut it out of newspaper. That way I can measure my knitting against it as I go and I know exactly how the finished dress will look. I'm about a fourth of the way through with the bodice and so far it really is cute. Can't wait to see her in it. (She lives about 2 1/2 hours away). I'll post pictures of her in it once it is done.
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Permalink Reply by cherylbwaters on
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Excellent idea! Can't wait to see it.
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Permalink Reply by FadedLily on
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Here are a few pictures of the finished sundress on my niece. I think considering my lack of experience, (it's been less than a year since I started knitting), my alterations turned out pretty well. Now that I've finished this dress I'll be able to spend more time on my bag. Yeah! http://www.flickr.com/photos/fadedlily/3645522870/in/photostream/
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Permalink Reply by Susan the Blue Lake Knitter on -
That looks great! Good job!
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