Last week I released my latest design, Triple Time! It calls for lace-weight yarn held triple on a large needle and this creates an open, airy fabric, as shown below:
But I wanted to show how this pattern could also work using just a single-strand of yarn as well. So I created another version using just 1 strand of aran/light bulky weight yarn. A perfect option was Berroco’s Millstone Tweed!
This yarn is classified as an aran-weight (although I’d also consider it a “light bulky”) and the yarn label suggests a gauge of 15 stitches = 4″ on a US 9 needle. But I did a swatch on a US 11 needle (that’s the needle size I suggest in Triple Time) and sure enough, I got the exact same gauge as that used in Triple Time, which is 12 stitches = 4″.
At this gauge, the Millstone Tweed fabric is a little open and loose, but just not quite as much as the lace-weight of course. But it’s enough to give it some nice drape so it keeps with the original idea of Triple Time (think of this way – it’s the same melody, just in a different key!). Here is the Ravelry project page for this version.
So how did I create this version?
- I used the same size needle as that listed in the pattern: US 11
- I made the same size as the original, a size 3, and I’m wearing it with approximately 7.5″ of positive ease at the bust.
- The only thing I did differently was that I made the body 1″ longer before starting the rib trim. Because it wasn’t as airy as the lace-weight version, I wanted a little extra length.
How much yardage does it use?
If you would like to make an aran/bulky-weight version of Triple Time, here is what I suggest in terms of yardage amounts to get for each size (including enough to make a swatch): approx. 500 (550, 600, 650) (700, 775, 800) (875, 950, 1000) yds of aran or bulky-weight. In Millstone Tweed, this works out to 6 (6, 7, 7) (8, 8, 9) (10, 10, 11) skeins.
If you want to add length to either the body or sleeves, I’d suggest getting another ball just to be on the safe side.
What if you don’t like the fabric at that gauge?
If you personally prefer a slightly denser fabric, you can knit a different size to accommodate a slightly tighter fabric. I discuss this in more detail on my Triple Time Tips Page, but in general:
If you’re getting 13 sts = 4″, the approx finished circumference of each of the sizes will be: 32 (34.5, 38.25, 41.75) (45.5, 49.25, 51.75) (55.25, 59, 62.75)” (so approx 2.75-5″ smaller than what’s listed in the pattern, depending on the size).
If you’re getting 14 sts = 4″, the approx finished circumference of each of the sizes will be: 29.75 (32, 35.5, 39) (42.25, 45.75, 48) (51.5, 55, 58.25)” (so approx 5-9″ smaller than what’s listed in the pattern, depending on the size).
If you knit a different size to accommodate a different gauge, just make sure to read my tips page for more details before getting started.
I hope this helps answer any questions you might have about knitting Triple Time “solo”! Feel free to reach out if you have any additional questions.
