Comments on: I’m knitting a sweater: swatching

By: Jane in NC

Jane in NC — Wed, 27 Jun 2007 02:56:54 +0000

As boring as it is, if you are knitting a garment, get the gauge right or you'll be sorry. Honest. Just go down a size needle, make another swatch and see how it goes. You'll probably get the same row count (don't ask me how but that's how it works with me) yet your sts per inch gauge will get closer to gauge. You've got a pretty big difference but I'd still see what going down 1 or 2 sizes would do for you. I've gone 2 to 3 sizes up and down for different yarns to get to gauge. As long as you like the look of it, it doesn't matter what size needles you use to get the correct gauge. Redoing the pattern as suggested above is a very doable option also. I don't care for all the math revisions so I just keep changing needles until I get the correct gauge. Also, the row count doesn't matter as much since they always tell you how many inches to knit so just knit however many rows it takes to get to that measurement. Many patterns don't even give a row gauge. The needle size suggested in patterns is the size the designer used to obtain that gauge but it is by no means law. Have fun with your first sweater. I made my first one in 1969 and remember it with fond memories. And don't forget, the pattern is offered as a suggestion, do with it what you want.

By: melanie watts

melanie watts — Wed, 27 Jun 2007 01:48:10 +0000

Good luck with your knitting. I'm interested to hear about your progress the bad and the good:) The colour looks nice too.

By: LMR

LMR — Tue, 26 Jun 2007 18:57:44 +0000

That pattern is one of my favorites! I'll be anxious to see how it looks in the new Cotton-Ease - might have to add it to my list of upcoming projects. I still have a few bags of old Cotton-Ease, because I was one of those hoarders that freaked out when it got discontinued.

By: Emily Cartier

Emily Cartier — Tue, 26 Jun 2007 17:26:43 +0000

Glad I could help. The math needed isn't hard, and it's well worth doing to get a sweater that fits.

Oh, and check the row gauge on your yarn before and after you wash it. That can be important for sleeve lengths and the like.

By: Emma

Emma — Tue, 26 Jun 2007 16:16:52 +0000

This looks great! I'm excited to see it as you work on it. And I love the charcoal color.

By: megan

megan — Tue, 26 Jun 2007 15:53:17 +0000

Emily - Thanks so much for the tips! I had actually forgotten about adding ease to my measurements to find the correct finished chest measurements to use on the pattern, you've saved me.

By: Emily Cartier

Emily Cartier — Tue, 26 Jun 2007 15:35:01 +0000

Bind off the swatch, wash it as you'd wash the garment, and measure the gauge again. It may be larger, it may be smaller, but it will change. Use the washed gauge measurement to determine your changes.

At the given gauge a 40" sweater would be 190 stitches around (and a 40" sweater would fit someone with around a 36" bust). At your gauge, you'd only need 170 stitches for the same measurement. If you cast on like you got gauge, the sweater will end up being a lot bigger. If you want a big baggy sweater, that's good. If you want a more fitted sweater... not so good.

By: Dame Wendy

Dame Wendy — Tue, 26 Jun 2007 13:43:18 +0000

Nice! That looks like a great pattern, I'll have to add it to my list. :)