Hello Aiste! I am having trouble getting the correct gauge for the Nida pattern. It says that you used a ribbon yarn, so maybe this is why since ribbon yarn seems to be bulkier. I have not used ribbon yarn for a project yet. I am using a standard sport weight yarn. With a 3.75mm needle, my 10 x 10 cm gauge swatch was 24 stitch (approximately) and 42 rows after blocking. I am going to try using a 4mm next but I am wondering why I am so off the mark with my gauge. Any advice on this?
I also wanted to ask what the measurements are for the waist. It seems that you have given measurements for the body and shoulders but not the hem/waist, unless I am reading this incorrectly. Thank you very much for any help and time, Aiste! Your patterns are lovely and I am very excited to start making this sweater.
Elizabeth
Hi, Elizabeth,
Try to make your swatch with 4 mm needles. The larger the size of needles, the longer the stitch. Ribbon yarn is not bulkier; maybe it's more stiff or rigid. That is why you get slightly bigger stitches. And you can easily add some rows to the lower body and to the armhole to compensate for the missing length due to the gauge difference. The pattern is very simple and allows slight corrections.
It is very hard to give correct measurements for the stretchy rib. One move and those measurements changing. For that reason, the pattern recommends working the rib with 2 sizes smaller needles than for the main fabric. So if you work the main fabric with 4 mm, work the rib with 3,5 mm (or with 3,25 mm for more tight and stretchy rib), and you should get just right.