Common Mistakes
1. Needle type not listed
This seems like an obvious omission, but often the use of a specific needle type is not crucial, so designers omit it. However, it's always best to at least give the knitter a suggestion, or to explain why the needle type isn't important.
2. Circular needle listed with no recommended cable length
As with the needle type, designers often omit the cable length when it isn't critical (for example, when working a shawl). But as with the type, it's always helpful to give the knitter some guidance, such as the minimum or maximum length that would work.
3. Incorrect conversion between US and mm size
This is another seemingly obvious error that happens often, usually as a result of copy/paste errors.
4.Omitting the relationship between needle size and gauge
This is not really an error, per se, but I do think it's important to note that the knitter should adjust the needle size in order to obtain the listed gauge.
5. Multiple sizes listed without noting relationship to gauge
When just one needle is required, the relationship between the needle and the listed gauge is implied. However, when more than one needle size is required, it's imperative to indicate which needle should achieve the listed gauge.
In the example above, the knitter will need to achieve the listed gauge using needle A, but I've also given instructions to adjust needles B and C if they adjust A for gauge. For needles B and C, the exact gauge yielded is not important, but their relationship with needle A is. The needles used to work the brim of the hat (C) should be smaller than those used to work the plain stockinette of the crown decreases (B) which should be smaller than the needles used to knit the colourwork pattern (A).
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