Converting The GoldWing Sweater to Fingering Weight

I love the fit of my Newleaf sweater by Jenn Steinglass that I knit last year so much that I wanted to recreate that fit in another circular yoke sweater. But, the pattern that most caught my eye is the Goldwing which was designed in worsted weight yarn. I decided to convert it for fingering weight yarn like the Newleaf pattern. I am not an expert, but wanted to share how I did this in case it helps someone else. I know lots of you are interested in doing this conversion after I shared on Instagram.

I had enough of the same wool in stash that I used for the Newleaf, but in different colors. This is Wisconsin Woolenspun fingering weight by Barrett Wool Co.

I really wanted to knit Jenn Steinglass’ Goldwing sweater, but it calls for a worsted weight yarn which I rarely wear. I knew what my gauge was for the Newleaf and what size I had knit. A quick look at both patterns showed the number of body stitches after the sleeve division. I simply cast on the size that was closest to the same number of body stitches of the Newleaf that I had knit. I made a slight adjustment at the underarms to match the Newleaf numbers perfectly.

I used the yoke depth from the Newleaf sweater on my Goldwing sweater. I haven’t started the sleeves yet, but expect to follow the sleeve instructions from the Newleaf and adjust as needed before doing the colorwork on the cuffs.

If you don’t have a previous hand knit sweater to go by, you could either measure a store bought sweater that fits you well or take your measurements plus ease and multiply by your gauge to find that number. Then chose the size closest to that number and adjust as needed at the underarms. 

If the size you need isn’t included in the Goldwing pattern, you can still knit this sweater, but there are things to keep in mind.

The design begins with a five stitch pattern repeat in the color work section. Stitches are gradually increased in the colorwork from there. So be sure you have a multiple of five before you begin the colorwork.

I am disregarding the length measurements in the Goldwing and using my own measurements, due to the gauge differences in worsted and fingering weight yarns and my own preferences.

Once the colorwork is done it is mostly all stockinette stitches, so this is a pretty easy pattern to convert to any weight of yarn you enjoy. I hope this helps.