How to Convert a Knit Cowl Pattern from Sport to Worsted Weight Yarn by Kristin Omdahl

How to Convert a Knit Cowl Pattern from Sport to Worsted Weight Yarn by Kristin Omdahl

I am often asked about yarn substitution for patterns. Sometimes its quite easy, and other times it is more difficult. Here is an example of when it is easy.

I took a simple knit cowl I designed in sport weight yarn and converted the gauge to make it in a worsted weight yarn.

The original cowl was knit with Be So Sporty Yarn on a US5 (3.75mm) 16″ circular knitting needles. The gauge is 5 stitches per inch. For a 20″ circumference cowl, the number of cast on stitches is as follows: 5 x 20 = 100

In order to convert the pattern for a different type of yarn (yarn substitution), you need to do a gauge swatch. I cast on 16 stitches and worked several rows with worsted weight yarn (Be So Bold) and US8 (5mm) circular knitting needles. I measured the width of the swatch to be 4″ wide. I divided the number of stitches by the width in inches to get my gauge: 16 / 4 = 4 stitches per inch. For a 20″ circumference cowl, the number of cast on stitches is as follows: 4 x 20 = 80

Here is a video demonstrating how I did the conversion and how to knit this pretty lace patterned, worsted weight cowl. Below the video are the written instructions for both patterns.

Beginner Sporty Knit Cowl Free Pattern by Kristin Omdahl
Materials:
(1) hank Kristin Omdahl Yarns Be So Sporty; 325 yds per 4oz; 100% bamboo; color Crushed Berries
US5 (3.75mm) 16″ circular knitting needles
Yarn needle
Stitch marker (optional)
Scissors

CO 100 sts, join in a round, being careful to not twist stitches. — 100 sts
Round 1: PM (place marker), knit around. — 100 sts
Round 2: SM (slip marker), purl around. — 100 sts
Round 3: SM, knit around. — 100 sts
Rep round 3 until you have approximately 10″ from cast on edge.
Next 8 rounds: rep rounds 2 and 3 four times.
BO as follows: k1, *yo, k1. Insert left hand needle into yo and first st, pick up and over second stitch and off needles (1 st bound off). Rep from * around. Pick up and knit first st at beg of round. BO last st. Fasten off. Weave in loose ends.

Beginner Bold Knit Cowl Free Pattern by Kristin Omdahl
Materials:
(1) hank Kristin Omdahl Yarns Be So Bold; 162 yds per 4oz; 100% bamboo; color Sophia’s Serengeti Sunrise
US8 (5mm) 16″ circular knitting needles
Yarn needle
Stitch marker (optional)
Scissors

CO 80 sts, join in a round, being careful to not twist stitches. — 80 sts
Round 1: PM (place marker), knit around. — 80 sts
Round 2: SM (slip marker), purl around. — 80 sts
Round 3: SM, knit around. — 80 sts
Rep round 3 until you have approximately 10″ from cast on edge.
Next 8 rounds: rep rounds 2 and 3 four times.
BO as follows: k1, *yo, k1. Insert left hand needle into yo and first st, pick up and over second stitch and off needles (1 st bound off). Rep from * around. Pick up and knit first st at beg of round. BO last st. Fasten off. Weave in loose ends.

Beginner Lace Bold Knit Cowl Free Pattern by Kristin Omdahl
Materials:
(1) hank Kristin Omdahl Yarns Be So Bold; 162 yds per 4oz; 100% bamboo; color Sophia’s Serengeti Sunrise
US8 (5mm) 16″ circular knitting needles
Yarn needle
Stitch marker (optional)
Scissors

Instructions:
CO 72 sts, join in a round, being careful to not twist stitches. — 72 sts
Round 1: PM (place marker), knit around. — 72 sts
Round 2: SM (slip marker), purl around. — 72 sts
Rounds 3 – 8: rep rounds 1 – 2 three more times.
Round 9: SM, *yo, k2tog, k2. Rep from * around. — 72 sts
Round 10: SM, knit around. — 72 sts
Round 11: SM, *k2, yo, k2tog. Rep from * around. — 72 sts
Round 12: rep round 10.
Rounds 13 – 44: rep rounds 9 – 12 eight more times, or until you have approx. 9″ of knitting complete.
Rounds 45 – 52: rep rounds 1 – 2 four more times.
BO as follows: k1, *yo, k1. Insert left hand needle into yo and first st, pick up and over second stitch and off needles (1 st bound off). Rep from * around. Pick up and knit first st at beg of round. BO last st. Fasten off. Weave in loose ends.

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Shop Kristin Omdahl Knitting Patterns HERE

I would love to see your creations. Just as much fun as making these myself is the satisfaction I get from seeing my designs come to life and other crochet fans wearing them too. There are now 2 ways you can share what you have done!

• Share yours by joining  Create. Share. Inspire on Facebook where you can interact with me as well as many other members who have a love of knitting and crochet just like you! It is a wonderful and safe place to share your photos of finished projects in my knitting or crochet patterns or yarns, and to see what others are making, too.
• I have recently added a wonderful new interactive section to the website which I invite you to take part in, it has been a smashing success and such fun so far. It is the new “Share a Project” section. You, my creators, can upload images and descriptions of your creations to share with the ever growing community! To upload simply click here. 

Additionally, I host a livestreaming podcast weekday on my YouTube Channel called Create Share Inspire Podcast. You can join the audience and even ask me questions LIVE! I often do a show and tell, or quick demo and I always interact with the live audience. It is a lot of fun!

You can browse through almost 800 previously recorded episodes HERE: Create Share Inspire Podcast Playlist . Make sure to subscribe to my YouTube Channel to get reminders when the next episode airs LIVE.

I look forward to seeing what you create!

xoxo,
Kristin