Inca pattern using 8 ply wool

by Cheryl
(New Zealand)

Hi.

I have a beautiful pattern but it is using Inca wool, but the wool I have is 8 ply. Can I use this wool by changing the needles and size I need for the pattern.

I am an average knitter and can understand most stitches etc.

Thanks Cheryl

YOUR ANSWER

Hi Cheryl.

The answer is maybe. It really depends on what you actually want to do.

Inca is a 12 ply equivalent and the recommended needle size for this yarn is 7.00mm, where as the recommended needle size for 8 ply is 4.00mm. That is quite a big difference.

If you want to use the Inca pattern as it is you would need to adjust the needle size to get the correct tension. It will probably mean that you will end up using huge needles and the knitted fabric will be rather loose. (If you need more information on adjusting the needle size to get the correct tension check out the page on knitting a tension square.)

To knit the Inca pattern in a larger size might work, but you would have to be fairly careful about the width vs. height calculations, particularly if the pattern specifies the number of rows to knit between shaping rather than a measurement.

Inca's recommended tension is 13 stitches and 18 rows over a 10 cm square. An 8 ply would be 22 stitches and 30 rows.

To knit a piece 50 cm wide (for example the back on a 100 cm size jumper - using a round number to make the calculations easier!) you would need to cast on about 65 stitches using Inca yarn, to get the same width with an 8 ply you would need to cast on 110 stitches. If your piece needs to be 40 cm from the cast on edge to the armhole shaping you would need to knit 72 rows with Inca but 120 rows with 8 ply.

It should not be too difficult to make the adjustments for the main pieces of a jumper (front, back and sleeves) but the armhole shaping might be a bit tricky, and if the jumper has a collar or any other 'fancy' design feature then it is going to take a bit of brain power to work it all out - how are you at doing math?

You do have other options though. What is it about the Inca pattern that you like?

If it is the stitch pattern, then I would recommend that you find a basic 8 ply pattern and knit it using the stitch pattern from the Inca pattern instead.

If it is the shape of the Inca garment, you could customise an 8 ply pattern to incorporate the design features of the Inca pattern (not as tricky as adjusting the Inca pattern but still a challenge).

Another option is to find a 4 ply in the same colour or in a nice contrast and knit the two yarns together.

Good luck with whatever you decide to do!