substituting yarns

I have a project in mind that calls for Bernat Nylo Germantown. I haven't had a luck finding it on eBay. The pattern calls for size 7 needles, so my guess would be a worsted. My confusion comes from the fact that on the same page, there is another pattern using the same yarn that calls for size 10 needles ad the next page uses the same yarn with size 4 needles. Since I'm brand new to knitting, should I just take the book into my LYS and have the owner tell me what to get? (if it helps with recommendations, I'm allergic to wool).

What's the year of the pattern?

Germantown was a type of yarn back in the day.

As for different needle sizes, that does happen. Ex.: sock yarn for socks (1s or 2s). The same yarn, for baby clothes...you'd use a 3 or a 4.

If you wanted to make something airy, like lace or a very light wrap, you might knit the same yarn with 8s....

A great deal depends on drape.

I hope this works. I'm having flickr problems, so if pic doesn't show, I'll try to link to my flickr site later.


The book came without a front cover and I can't find a date. From the hairstyles, I'd guess mid-50's. The gauge says 6sts=1in, 8rows=1in. Although the sweater looks like tiny cables, the pattern appears to be twisted stitches.

Could even be late 50s.

Twisted stitch is also known as Austrian cables (or at least I've read it referred to as such.

From the gauge, I would say that something along the lines of sock yarn is what you're looking for, not worsted.

Again, you'll have some difficulty if you can't use wool.

Here's a book you should buy:

No Sheep for You
http://www.amazon.com/No-Sheep-You-Cotton-Delights/dp/1596680121

The author is allergic to wool, and there are pages of charts, discussion and so forth on substitution for wool. I own this book (my MiL is allergic to wool, for one thing!) and I think it's a very good source.

I know it's been a while since I've posted here, but I have an update. My mother-in-law took me to the fanciest yarn shop in the whole DC area for my birthday. It turns out the owner is a fan of vintage patterns. I showed her the pattern and told her about my allergy and bought whatever she told me to use. She said getting gauge might be difficult, but what I bought was the finest non-wool yarn that she had. She also recommended coming in when I was ready to start, so she could check my gauge.

That sounds like good news! You've got a wonderful MiL.

AND a good LYS owner.

Please let us know how it goes.

lindydiva wrote:

That sounds like good news! You've got a wonderful MiL.

AND a good LYS owner.

Please let us know how it goes.

It helps that my MIL is a lifelong knitter and a total yarn snob. But yes, she is wonderful!