I am knitting Earthly in Patons Linen (cotton, linen, viscose) and it’s my first time working with linen; should I knit an L (44” chest) versus a M (42” chest) for a teen with a 42” chest who will grow up to be bigger than he is now, or an XL (size 46” chest) since according to Google, I can machine wash and it will shrink up to 10%, (which would make the XL a 43.2” fit) but I had a bamboo tape top shrink to child size in my washer, so I’m gun shy. I’ll handwashing to block, but son will probably machine wash it at some point if he’s left to his own devices.
Using #6 needles and gauge swatching, the yarn I have is DK. Cast on 44 on size 6 US 32” circular needles, knit 40 rows. Swatch measures 7.5” wide by 4.75” tall.
Gauge is 24st =4”, 33 rows =4”. 6st=1”, 8rows=1”.
Doing another gauge swatch with size 7 needles…got gauge! 20st=4”, 30rows=4” (Goal gauge is 20 stitches and 28 rows = 4 inches (5st=1”, 7rows=1”) in stockinette stitch.)
So I’ll make an XL and if it shrinks 10% it’s still going to fit. Problem solved!
https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/earthly
