How do I modify a pattern for a change in yarn?

[Glover_Girls]

I tend to modify patterns and add things to them, but something I've not done is use a different weight yarn than called for. So I have this pattern (Kidlet Tank pattern for you Ravelry members. I'm k1p1mama if you want to check it out). It calls for worsted weight which I purchased. DD wanted multicolor so I was browsing the LYS the other day and found some real nice multicolored yarn (wish I could remember the name). Anyway, I brought my knitting with me to a friend's for the weekend thinking I'll get tons done as my dd will be at her dad's. I dutifully knitted a swatch and the gauge was way off! I was getting way too many stitches to the inch (or 5 inches in this case). So I went up a size...nope. Went up two sizes...yes! But now it's too "loose" for a tank. I want more coverage.

So to get to my question...I want to use the yarn. How do I modify the pattern to use different sized needles and have it still fit? Is is just using a little math to figure out what my gauge is compared to the pattern and subtracting stitches? Is there a formula? I'm sure I could muddle through but if the wheel has already been invented....

[cristeen]

Take the original gauge (say it's 5 stitches/inch), divide the CO (say it's 60) by your gauge (60/5=12). Then take your actual gauge (say it's 8/inch), and multiply the number you just got by that gauge (12*8). That's your CO.

Rows work the same way, and will probably have to be calculated separately. Decreases/increases make things a little more complex, but if you sit down and write it all out, it's not too difficult (have a calculator handy).

The other thing you need to take into account is if you have a pattern stitch. If your pattern repeat is a number that doesn't easily fit into the numbers you calculated, you may have to adjust those numbers a bit to fit both gauge and pattern stitch. If that's the case, hopefully your pattern tells you what the repeat is (multiple of X+X), which will make life easier.

[Glover_Girls]

Thanks, christeen. I'm going to give it a shot. I will modify the stitch number and then I can recalculate the number of stitches I will need to cast on for the ruffle I am adding to the bottom of the camisole.
I'm sure there will be some trial and error but it'll be a learning experience! I can't wait to start....as soon as my knitting bag arrives from VT (I left it at my friend's house last weekend). :