vintage wool

I see the pattern is for 20g balls. As Jalima says, I'd try to find a seller who would put the wool away for you so that any unused can be resold. It's a lovely dress. Go for it and have fun.

Yes, 4ply does go further because it is finer.

I think that 300 g would be enough but can you buy more on the understanding that you can take back whole balls which you have not used?

Wool does weigh heavier therefore less yardage in each ball as I have found when I followed a pattern designed for acrylic/nylon and knit it in wool - I had to send for more.

pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.view&id=282427072990&alt=web

Hilda this is the link I bought the pattern off eBay.
The shawl is beautiful.

overthehill 4ply is finer than dk but you are using a small hook. Is it a fairly lacy pattern? Can you post a link to it please, I'd love to see what you are making.
I've just finished this shawl for my granddaughter.

You probably need about 500 grams of yarn. I suspect that your pattern was using 2 oz balls. That would be more like the amount for a four year old's dress. I'd err on the side of caution, and get 600gr.

Sorry mistake in my post. I meant DK not DC

Chewbacca using a 3m hook

What size needles are you using?

Thanks everyone. I'm a bit surprised if only 20g in a ball. The actual is 9 balls of main colour and 2 balls of contrast. Therefore that would be 220g for the dress overall. The dress is for a 4 year old and that doesn't seem very much wool. I have never used 4ply before only DC so maybe 4ply goes further?

Sorry bout that, "it says" not I say! The Ravelry website is very good for giving information on discontinued yarns. www.ravelry.com

I've just Googled tricel nylon crepe and I says that each ball is 20gms . Twinklewist is 430 yards per ball and weighs 3.53 ounces. Hope this helps.

Does it give the length of yarn in each ball? Different yarns weigh differently and you need to have the correct length of yarn (probably in yards) to complete the pattern.

I think in those days 1 ball = 1oz (28g)