Comments on: Swatch This!

By: S

Thu, 20 Sep 2012 19:18:00 +0000

Thanks

By: Jess Hicks

Jess Hicks — Tue, 26 Jun 2012 13:54:00 +0000

Hi, Cathi. In general, your stitch gauge (width) will be more important than your row gauge. This is because the shaping of the item width-wise is dependent on the stitches being the correct size. Also, many patterns provide step-by-step instructions for the rows but give the length in inches instead of rows; i.e., “Work in St st (k on RS, p on WS) until piece measures 14 in. (35.5 cm)”, as opposed to “Work in St st for 29 rows”. If your pattern gives your row instructions written out instead of in inches, that’s not a problem: just take a look at the given gauge of the pattern and calculate how many inches that would be. For example, if the pattern says to work in St st for 10 rows and the given gauge is 5 rows per inch, you’ll know to continue in St st for 2 inches. It’s also just a lot easier to adjust the length by adding in some rows, which you can do at any time, than it is to try to add in stitches if your piece isn’t wide enough — you can always add more rows to make a sweater longer, but once you’ve knit the top, you can’t go back and add a stitch or two to each row. I hope that helps!

By: Cathi

Cathi — Tue, 26 Jun 2012 00:40:00 +0000

What if your swatch measures correctly vertically, but it’s larger (or smaller) width-wise? None of the knitters I know have been able to answer this one for me.

By: Suanna

Suanna — Tue, 15 May 2012 13:42:00 +0000

I think that whenever using a brand or kind of yarn you haven’t used before it IS important to make a swatch to check gauge. I’ve learned that the HARD way resulting in undoing all and starting over. What a waste of time.

By: How to Read a Yarn Label | Lion Brand Notebook

How to Read a Yarn Label | Lion Brand Notebook — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 14:40:40 +0000

[...] Swatch This! A Quick Lesson in How to Make a Gauge Swatch [...]

By: 5 Great First Sweater Patterns for Adults | Lion Brand Notebook

5 Great First Sweater Patterns for Adults | Lion Brand Notebook — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 18:21:43 +0000

[...] the most important step to making a sweater that fits is to make a gauge swatch! Happy [...]

By: Did You Know…? All About Yardage | Lion Brand Notebook

Did You Know…? All About Yardage | Lion Brand Notebook — Wed, 22 Dec 2010 14:02:50 +0000

[...] yarns, so substituting should be pretty straightforward (though you will , of course, want to do a gauge swatch). However, even though the Vanna’s Choice balls weigh the same as the Cotton-Ease balls, if you [...]

By: Overcoming the Challenges: « Stitching in Saskatoon

Overcoming the Challenges: « Stitching in Saskatoon — Mon, 06 Dec 2010 23:43:33 +0000

[...] Read the gauge information: Gauge is unique to knitting and crocheting. Understanding gauge is key to reaching a satisfying end. Gauge is “stitches per inch.” Every pattern stitch, every yarn, and sometimes every colour will knit to a different gauge. Several things can affect gauge. For instance, the needle (size and type are important – don’t switch from aluminum needles to wooden needle mid-project as the gauge will be different), the type and colour of a yarn can produce different gauge results, and even weather can often adjust the gauge at which you are knitting. Gauge can often change depending on the affecting factors. It is highly recommended that each project begin with a gauge swatch. An easy tutorial on creating a gauge swatch can be found here. [...]

By: A few tips on knitting / crocheting pattern reading…. « Stitching in Saskatoon

Tue, 06 Apr 2010 15:48:05 +0000

By: Tips for Reading a Pattern | Lion Brand Notebook

Tips for Reading a Pattern | Lion Brand Notebook — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 14:00:47 +0000

[...] Read the gauge information. Click here for more information on making a gauge [...]