The Importance of Gauge
by
Pegg Thomas
There are very few knitting patterns that do not include a gauge.
Beginning knitters often don’t understand what the gauge is or why it is
important. Beginning spinners who are also beginning knitters can become
incredibly frustrated because of not properly understanding gauge.
Gauge (sometimes called “tension”) includes both the number of stitches
per inch horizontally, and the number of rows per inch vertically.
The gauge is given in patterns for a particular name brand and type of
yarn plus a particular knitting needle size. For example, it may read;
“4 stitches per inch and 6 rows per inch using Peaches and Cream yarn with
size 7 needles.” This part of the instructions is usually followed
by, “or needle size needed to obtain gauge.” This is where most people
get into trouble! The only way to know if you can obtain that gauge
using the same yarn and the same needles is to knit a “swatch.”
“Swatching” is often considered to be a frustrating waste of time but
in truth, it can be a huge time saver. Failure to swatch and measure
can result in a completely unsatisfactory finished garment. For example,
if the gauge requires 6 stitches to the inch and you “think” that is what
your knitting is producing so you don’t bother to swatch, you can be in for
a big surprise.
Let’s say you knit a little tighter than whoever wrote the pattern.
Instead of 6 stitches to the inch, you are getting 6 ½ stitches to
the inch. What’s a half a stitch, right? Well, if you are making
a vest and you need a 38” bust measurement for that vest to fit correctly,
then according to the pattern you need 228 stitches around.
38” x 6 stitches to the inch = 228 stitches
That’s
what the pattern will tell you so you go ahead and cast on the 228 stitches
and make your vest. But you achieved 6 ½ stitches per inch so
your vest only measures 35”.
228 stitches divided by 6 ½ stitches to the inch =
35”
That little
½ stitch per inch cost you 3” in your vest! Now your choices
are a major diet or ripping the completed vest out and starting all over.
When it comes to using your handspun yarns, you simply *must* swatch.
Never assume that your yarn will be the equivalent of the commercial yarn
used in the pattern. If the pattern calls for “sport weight” yarn and
you’re just sure that what you’ve spun is sport weight… verify! Knit
up a swatch, measure and make sure.
Marilyn A Roberts has written a very nice piece on how to make a swatch
that she’s titled, Swatch Out!
It’s worth the read!
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