knitting gauge help

[Foxtrot]

I have a pattern that calls for size 4.5mm needles with worsted weight yarn, or 4mm needles with DK. I only have 4mm needles and worsted yarn and I want to start now. So are the needles more important for getting the size right or the yarn?

ie - would it be better to use the worsted instructions and go up a size or two as the needles are smaller, or use the DK instructions and do the size I want (or smaller)? Will the larger yarn on the correct needles make the garment bigger, or will it be a similar size but just heavier and tighter?

Has anyone experimented with this before and knows what will happen, or should I just order new needles and be patient?

[Tentacles]

The two combos the pattern states will gived different sized garments, the worsted being larger. Both needles and yarn change the gauge. I would check what size youactually want them knit a gauge swatch and check it against what is stated in the pattern for the correct size.

[rootoo]

Order the needles and be patient worsted weight yarn knit on 4mm needles will be a pretty dense fabric. If you're a lose knitter you might get away with it? Try knitting a bit and then seeing what you think of the fabric and checking how your gauge compares to the gauge for the pattern... you might end up with the DK gauge so you'd need to knit that pattern, or you might manage to get the worsted gauge

[Foxtrot]

Thank you. I decided to just wait for the right needles. Darn! Now what can I do this evening.....?

[karmiec]

Do you have any other wool at home? I would stash dive and make something small that you can have finished by the time the new needles arrive (or at least put away when the new needles arrive)

[Foxtrot]

Oh that's a good idea. I did promise to knit Olive a rabbit puppet so I could have a go at that