changing wool in a pattern

by jen fitz
(merseyside uk)

I have a Sirdar pattern book - chunky baby knits - design 1968 uses Sirdar snuggly snowfalls chunky which on the label states size 6mm needles and tension is 14 sts & 20 rows to 10cms.

I want to use an aran wool instead which on the label says to use 5mm needles and tension is 18 stitches & 24 rows to 10cm.

The pattern says to use size 5mm needles for ribs Tec and 6mm needles for main body.

Can I substitute the aran wool and if so what size needles will I need to use as I can't work out from the tension.

Your help would be much appreciated.

Regards j.

YOUR ANSWER

You need to use whatever size of needle that will allow you to knit 14 stitches and 20 rows to 10cm.

So I would suggest that you knit a tension square with 6.0mm or 6.5mm needles to start with and see what your tension is with the aran weight wool.

Depending on the result, you then adjust the needle size up (if you still have too many stitches) or down (if you don't have enough).

Then you can adjust the size for the rib by going up the same number of needle sizes.