As much as we would love to take this decision off your hands, you are the best person for the job of deciding the right size for you to knit. The pattern is written for a specific gauge – getting the right gauge for the pattern is the best way we can offer for getting great results and fit. If you find that you’re struggling to reach the intended gauge for the pattern, please adjust your needle size and swatch again. We know it’s a bit more work, but it really is the best way to ensure the fit you’ll be happy with (and the fit the pattern intends). We’ve included a few examples below to help with adjusting your needle size, in case this might be useful for you.
If your gauge number is HIGHER than the stated gauge of the pattern, go UP a needle size and swatch again.
Example –
Pattern Gauge: 20 stitches in 4 inches
Your Gauge: 22 stitches in 4 inches
Your gauge number (22) is higher than the stated gauge (20). In this case, go up 1-2 needle sizes and swatch again.
If your gauge number is LOWER than the stated gauge of the pattern, go DOWN a needle size and swatch again.
Example –
Pattern Gauge: 20 stitches in 4 inches
Your Gauge: 19 stitches in 4 inches
Your gauge number (19) is lower than the stated gauge (20). In this case, go down 1-2 needle sizes and swatch again.
If you’d like to take a deeper dive into sweater fit, and/or learn more about knitting sweaters at a different gauge, you might be interested in Marie’s workshops: Best Sweater Ever or Sweater Boss. They both have a lot of great information about these topics.
You’ve got this!