Question regarding yarn for pattern

by Mary Beth Farahay
(Dublin, Ohio)

Hi Deb,
I would like to make the shawl from the Zealana AIR patterns booklet.It is the one on page 2.

The pattern calls for a chunky yarn with a gauge of 18 sts and 23 rows to 4" over St st using a size 9 needle.

I wanted to dress this shawl up a bit and have not found a yarn I like.

I did find a DK weight yarn I love with a gauge of 5.5 sts per 1" using size 5-7 needles.

My question is....

Can I use the DK weight yarn and use two strands on a size 8 needle or would that not look right? I know I would have to make modifications to the pattern and that is ok. But before I buy the yarn, I want to know if it would even work.

The yarn called for in the pattern is:
AIR Chunky by Zealana 1 3/4 oz/50g skeins each approx 159 yds
18 sts = 4" on #9 needles

The yarn I want to use is:
Diadem DK 100g hank 219 yds
5.5 sts = 1" on #5-7 needles


I would greatly appreciate your thoughts and advice.
Thank you so much.
Sincerely,
Mary Beth Farahay

YOUR ANSWER

There is only one way to know if it will work and that is to do a tension square with two strands of the DK wool and the larger needles.

If you don't want to spend too much before you know it will work, just buy one ball and wind enough off the ball to complete your tension square.

If your first attempt is not too far off the required tension, you can adjust the needle size to get it right. If it is way off, I would suggest that you check out other yarns.

Hope this helps.