sirdar duet

shadesofwhite · Post by **shadesofwhite** » 07 Apr 2009 08:30 am

I have been given some sirdar duet fashion wool and am wondering if I would be able to use a dk knitting pattern? I have searched for patterns for this wool but have only found a few ladies patterns and I am wanting to knit it for my daughter (she's a small 4 year old)

janine · Post by **janine** » 07 Apr 2009 03:39 pm

Don't think DK would work. Looked at some patterns which suggested 5mm needles, so is more like aran. How about knitting a tension square then look for a pattern based on that?

shadesofwhite · Post by **shadesofwhite** » 07 Apr 2009 06:45 pm

Thanks for the quick reply. I am not an overly experienced knitter and had never thought of doing a tension square but I will give it ago. I will be back for advice when I haven't a clue what I'm doing!

shadesofwhite · Post by **shadesofwhite** » 12 Apr 2009 09:10 am

If I knit a tension square, do I have to knit it in the pattern I fancy or do you do it in knit and pearl? This is probably the stupidest question ever

Flystitch · Post by **Flystitch** » 12 Apr 2009 10:50 am

A tension square is usually knitted in stocking stitch, 1 row knit, 1 row purl. Give it a go.

yvette · Post by **yvette** » 12 Apr 2009 09:11 pm

if the pattern you fancy is lacy or any pattern then i would do the tension square in that pattern
yvette

knitting bod · Post by **knitting bod** » 13 Apr 2009 08:15 pm

Probably the best thing to do is to knit a tension swatch in stocking stitch to obtain the approximate 'standard' tension then look for patterns with this tension - Yarndex is a good way to find yarns with a matching 'standard' tension.

For example, if your stocking stitch tension is 22sts x 30 rows then you'll know that your yarn is approx DK and you can look for patterns in yarns with this standard tension over st st. If the pattern you choose has a pattern such as lace or cables, then you'll need to match tension for that particular pattern.

Does that make sense?

knitting bod · Post by **knitting bod** » 13 Apr 2009 08:19 pm

Actually I've just checked on Yarndex for you and Duet has a standard tension of 21sts over 5mm needles:

click here to see info on Yarndex

so you can check your tension on 5mm needles and then start looking for patterns !

Happy knitting!!

KB

shadesofwhite · Post by **shadesofwhite** » 13 Apr 2009 10:23 pm

Thanks everyone

I just looked on that link and it says that the weight is DK so surely I can follow a DK pattern? I will try the tension square and see what happens kids are on hols from school at the monute so haven't had time yet. I will let you all know what happens. Wish me luck

Post by **admin** » 13 Apr 2009 10:48 pm

Yarndex looks a good resource site but be careful because it is American. They do have different terms to the UK. It is also a bit out of date as it says it is "currently produced" which we know it hasn't been for a while.

Knitting bod is correct about the Duet Info - it has a tension of 21 sts 28 rows to a 10cm square done on 5mm needles. If it was on 4mm with that tension it would be almost DK, but it is also not quite Aran which is 19 sts 24 rows on 5mm needles.

I think tensions squares are a must and then maybe doing the next size up or down depending upon whether you choose a DK or Aran pattern.

shadesofwhite · Post by **shadesofwhite** » 15 Apr 2009 02:32 pm

Done my tension square width was fine but it came up a little short to waht it should. The duet yarn is like tape and it is part matt and then goes to shiny. The matt is thicker than the shiny.

The square that I done worked out that it was more shiny the matt so I am betting that over a decent sized piece it would work itself out.

I am gonna try the pattern that I got this tension size from and hope for the best. If I can work out how to put pics on here I will put one up when I have done (probably around ten months time

)