Knitting

[Last-Lament]

Hi @Gwynn I noticed you're still on, so thought I's pop in to help in case you're waiting on an answer to start another swatch. 

Yes, you can use a larger sized needle (or hook for crochet) to get your work to meet gauge. 

Depending on how much smaller than gauge the swatch you have completed is, you might be able to work out which size to use instead of making multiple swatches with multiple sized needles. 

Our gauge can also change depending on how stressed we are when working on something - so that's something to be aware of when doing large items or pieces that have to match, it can get both laughingly funny and awfully frustrating. 

I hope this has been helpful.  Craft, no matter what it is, is so much help. 

[Gwynn]

Thanks @Last-Lament, I’ve started another swatch on wooden 10 mm needles and being on wood rather than plastic seems to be helping my gauge. Not sure if it’ll be enough at this point but still! Thank you for confirming my suspicions about going up a size.

[Last-Lament]

Really glad to have been of help @Gwynn .

Yes, what you've discovered from using your wooden needles is a thing! What the tools are made from, and the shapes they are (how rounded or pointy the ends are), even the length of them, can have an impact on how we hold them and how it affects the gauge we end up with. 

I don't knit much at all anymore, but I have found that using shorter circular needles to be the easiest to work with as I can hold my arms lower and let the weight of the work rest on my lap, on a pillow on my lap, or at a table where I can also rest my arms. My shoulders/ neck/ arms just can't deal with holding both arms evenly any more. 

I use Denise Interchangeable Knitting needles, and Denise Interchangeable Crochet Hooks, they are so much easier for me to use than the myriad other hooks I have. The only exception is the fine crochet around handkerchiefs, I use a very fine point for them. 

My thing is crochet, and I still crochet most days, except when I've finished a big project, then I take a break before working on the next thing, or finishing off a UFO. 

Look forward to hearing how you swatch works out. 

[BlueBay]

Here is the wide scarf I just finished. Have some wool left so I’m making a skinnier scarf.

@Gwynn @Judi9877 @Eve7 and others following 

[Gwynn]

Very cute!

[Gwynn]

Here are my two gauge swatches. They're not that different but the one on the wood needles is slightly bigger.

[Last-Lament]

It's definitely bigger @Gwynn , will it meet gauge do you think, or might you need to go up another needle size?

Your scarf looks soft and snuggly @BlueBay .

[BlueBay]

thank you @Last-Lament 

[Gwynn]

@Last-Lament, I think I need to go up a needle size AND learn a different cast-on technique. At the moment I'm using the thumb longtail cast on ( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1vm6oaYzHyA&ab_channel=Sheep%26Stitch ) and I can't do it loosely, as the pattern wants. When I google around for loose cast on methods, I end up with stretchy cast on methods and I'm not sure if that will suit.

[Last-Lament]

OH, gosh @Gwynn tricksy stuff.

The only trick I know to making the cast on looser than it would otherwise be, is to use significantly larger needle to cast on to, then change back to the size that will be used for the rest of the garment/ item. I've gathered tools for years from charity shops and such, and have quite the collection, so it's no trouble to find a different size. Even a pencil /pen could work to get the cast on size depending on stitch numbers of course ... I'm being a bit creative here! 🙂

I never got a handle on any other cast on besides starting with a loop on the left side, and working the cast on by using both needles, so really can't help with that, I'm sorry. 

The stretchy cast on may work for you depending on what the reason is the a loose cast on is required.

If it's a banding, like for a beanie type hat, that needs to stretch to fit the head, then a stretchy cast on would most likely work, if there's  an intricate pattern, then maybe not. 

Might I ask what the pattern will end up being?

Or if you have a name for a pattern I could look up to see if I can offer any more help?

Excellent knitting resources (and crochet) can be found at LoveCraft - they were LoveKnitting & LoveCrochet, but joined to be under 1 umbrella) and Deramores in the UK. You just need to remember which term you're using in your pattern UK or US and practice accordingly. This is  more noticeable in crochet than knitting I think, but it's still a thing to be noted.