Knitting I have a yarn that needs size 6 needles. If I use 3 strands what size needles should I use?

Well, they don't make needles in either size 12 or 18 to start with. Three strands of yarn normally knit on a size 6 (that's DK or sport weight) will make a chunky or bulky weight yarn. You could use needles from US size 11 on up to about a 19, 35's and 50's would be a bit large. You still want to swatch because you won't need the same number of stitches for the same width, so you'll need to adjust that from the outset. You'll also need to plan on having 3 to 5 times as much yarn available for the same length scarf since while you may use fewer stitches, you'll use a lot more yarn up.

If you are planning to use worsted weight yarn then size 6 would be a bit tight. Size 15 would need 2-3 strands and you can get a nice tweed by using different colors held together. Since a blanket does not have to fit to a certain gauge all you need to do is find a pattern you like, make a sample swatch of the stitch, then decide how many stitches you need to work it on. Example: using the needles and yarn you have chosen, if each repeat of the design measures 4" and you want the blanket 60" then just multiply the number of stitches in one repeat by 15.

If you want to use 3 strands of yarn together, you will end up completely changing the size and look of whatever you are knitting.

Take 10 minutes, knit a gauge piece first, like 16 stitches by 16 rows.

See how this looks to you, see if using size 6 needles was an issue. You may need to move up to size 9, or down to size 3, it depends on how you knit, like how tight or how loose. But if you're trying to use 3 strands together for cool colors, then be aware they may twist, and not look like what you're dreaming of; if you're stranding as a time saver, like using 3 strands of size 1 yarn instead of 1 strand of size 3 yarn, then it will throw of your whole pattern.

Your best bet may be just to buy a bulkier yarn!

One guide to needle size suggests doubling the yarn and then placing it over the needle gauge hole(thing that helps you check needle size) and whichever if covers will be the right needle size. You could try that and see what it knits up like with a swatch. Then adjust the needles to what you like from there.

You are absolutely right that the only way to determine the correct needle size is to knit swatches until you get the gauge you need. The needle size suggestion on the ball band of the yarn is only a suggestion. I almost never use the suggested size, because it usually doesn't give me the correct gauge.

Eventually, you'll need to buy more needles anyway. I can't imagine selecting every knitting project from now on based on owning one pair of knitting needles!

Here are suggestions for acquiring knitting needles inexpensively:

1. Try eBay. Sometime "lots" of many different sizes of needles sell for low prices. http://crafts.shop.ebay.com/items/Crocheting-Knitt...

2. Visit your local thrift shops (often). You'd be surprised at what people will donate and the prices the thrift shops will put on them.

3. Check the sales and clearance bins at craft shops.

4. If your church has a Knitting as a Mission group, check with them to see if they have donated needles they are not using. My group would gladly let you try the different sizes of needles that have been given to us (which we are not using), and take what you want for whatever donation you feel comfortable giving.

5. Make your own. See tutorials at http://www.talkingcrow.com/blog/2004/10/how_to_mak... , http://www.knittinghelp.com/videos/knitting-tips (scroll to bottom) or see video http://www.knittinghelp.com/apps/flash/video_playe... , http://www.3gcs.com/adcock/free%20patterns/handmad...

It's all recomended, not dictated. It depends on how tight you want the weave to be. You most definitely want a larger size needle though, I'd probably buy somewhere around a size 12ish. Some of the larger sizes are hard to find, so maybe you could just get the largest sold at the store. When all else fails, ask the attendant, they'll know best.

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