Would knitting cables on a project use up more or less yarn than stockinette or garter stitch?
My friend wanted me to knit some baby hats for her, but she has a limited supply of yarn to give me. She recommended I use patterns that use up the least amount of yarn as possible. I wanted to make baby hats with cables on them, but do you think knitting a cable would involve more yarn usage that something simple, such as a stockinette stitch or garter stitch throughout the project? It seems like cables would use up a little more yarn because of all the stretching cables naturally do.
Do you have any other suggestions for maximizing yarn efficiency? I think using a thicker needle would allow me to finish the project with less yarn, right?
We are trying to knit as many newborn baby hats as possible, and then we will donate them to a local hospital.
A thicker needle will make larger stitches, which may or may not make an appreciable difference in the rate at which you use up yarn. But it will make a difference in the fit and warmth of the hat.
A hat made with stockinette stitch and a rolled or picot edge probably uses the least yarn. A hat with a deep ribbed edge, seed stitch, or garter-stitch edge and all-over cables probably uses the most. However, for a baby head, 14″ to 16″ circumference for 3-6 month size, there’s not going to be a lot of difference in the amount of yarn used.
PS: I’d go with the cables if you’re knitting hats for regular newborns.
If you were knitting for preemies, I’d recommend the simplest pattern (a stockinette tube) in the softest yarn you can find. With preemies, you want to have no seams, no bumps or pattern, and nothing in the yarn that can irritate. They’re wearing the hats for warmth, not for style, and they’re going to be washed and sterilized by the hospital laundry every time they’re worn.
Full-term newborns may wear a knit hat in the hospital, but they are more likely to wear donated clothing to go home. Moms of regular newborns usually want their babies to look cute, and they will prefer “cute” over “saves yarn.” I knit with a group that knits for newborns (among other things). We discovered that many moms never again use the hats their babies are sent home in because the hats are utilitarian and not “cute.” They also prefer certain color schemes (bright colors are popular right now). Those things are true in our area. You might want to go to the hospital and talk to the nurses in the nursery who dress babies to go home. Ask THEM which they are more likely to use, “cute” hats or hats that are simple and yarn-saving. Then ask them what is considered “cute” where you are. They are the people who know what will be used and they will be happy to tell you.
In addition, many places are using purple hats to call attention to and reinforce the PURPLE Crying campaigns to prevent “shaken baby” syndrome. We knit about 30 purple hats for this campaign. Even if those hats are never worn again, they have done their job in educating parents. There are several links below in case you want to think about knitting purple hats.
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Harrisville Designs Potholder Deluxe $14.75 Potholders are the perfect craft for anyone, young or old, who loves to make things. Make six potholders from the illustrated instructions that include tons of ideas, or just make a creation all your own. The Potholder Deluxe includes a seven-by-seven-inch metal loom; three bags of custom-sized, multicolored 100% cotton loops; two hooks (one metal for loop weaving and one plastic for finishing.) Y… |