Altering a pattern vs. using larger yarn/needles

[Woodland]

My neighbor has a pattern for a gorgeous baby sweater that zips up the back and has the cutest little hood, but the pattern is only for 6m. We want to make it for our 2 big ol babes that can wear around 18-24mo sizes. What is the best way to make the pattern bigger? Should we alter the pattern and increase everything which is kinda confusing or could we use bigger needles and thicker yarn? Yes, I will ask her to post the pattern, it is sooooo cute!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[cristeen]

Either method is going to require a fair bit of math. If you're aiming for a particular size, I'd probably swatch it up and alter the pattern.

[Woodland]

i think i might just try using a bigger yarn and needles and see how it goes. Has anyone had experience doing this?

[cristeen]

I've gone the other way... smaller yarn to get a smaller size. But unless you do the math, the chance of hitting your target size is pretty small. You'll still get something, but whether it'll be big enough for your LO or too big is anybody's guess.

[gingerstar]

Originally Posted by Woodland

i think i might just try using a bigger yarn and needles and see how it goes. Has anyone had experience doing this?

The best way I've found to do that is to knit a swatch and compare gauge - you don't want it to be completely off, and that would give you some idea how it will wind up.
I did that with a soaker, but I knit with Peace Fleece, which doesn't felt easily, so I felt comfortable knitting too big and shrinking it down a bit...

[I n I Mama]

I do this all the time (change the needle and yarn size) and it works well as long as I don't go too far off - then the feel of the fabric starts to get either to loose or too tight and stiff. kwim?

I hope you post the pattern. I have been looking for a pattern like that. I used to nanny a little girl who had one of those sweaters and I loved it.