Adjust Aran Patterns for Larger Sizes

Hi there!

My mother has an Aran pattern book, which I am sure is at least 20years old, and she wants to make one of the jumpers in it for herself. Of course, she is not the same size as she was 20years ago and the pattern only goes up to size 40inch bust...she thinks she needs 44inch bust..

As she is not computer savvy I am asking on her behalf. She does not know what the formula is for adjusting the pattern for larger sizes..is there a particular ratio...is there a website that may be useful...

The pattern book she has is Thorobred T, A Family of Yarns

Any help would be much appreciated.

Thanks from cold and windy Melbourne Australia
Rita Cohann

YOUR ANSWER

Hi Rita,

It is possible to 'up-size' a pattern but it involves a bit of math.

Usually what I do is to look at the differences in the various sizes, identify the pattern and increase according to that pattern.

It is usually not too hard with an aran, as the extra stitches are generally on either side of the aran pattern and can easily be incorporated into the stocking stitch or moss stitch on either side.

Would an example help? Here is the cast on for the back of one of the aran patterns I have in my collection:

Using 3.25mm needles, cast on 107 (117-129-139-151-161) sts.

The pattern is +10, +12, +10, +12, +10. If I wanted to create a pattern 2 sizes larger, I would add 22 stitches (12 + 10) for a total of 183.

You just go through the pattern and adjust each size instruction the same way.

At the end of the rib there is an increase row with the number of stitches increasing to 140 (154-172-182-198-212) the increase for each size is 33(37-43-43-49-51).

The pattern between the sizes is +4, +6, +0, +4, +4, so for my jumper (2 sizes bigger) I would add 59 stitches (51 + 4 + 4) giving me 242 stitches.

The armhole shaping is:

Keeping patt correct, cast off in patt 6 (8-11-13-15-17) sts at beg of row... 128 (138-150-156-168-178) sts.

The pattern for the cast off is +2, +3, +2, +2, so for my garment 2 sizes larger I would cast off 21 sts (17 + 2 + 2).

This would leave me with 200 stitches after the two cast off rows.

Sounds complicated but it works. If you need more help converting the pattern please do contact me and I will see what I can do to help