Gauge piece
Making your gauge piece Figure out your basic number of sts— Patterns usually give you the gauge for the number of stitches and rows in 4”. If you are making a gauge piece that is 4” by 4”, then use the number of stitches given in the pattern gauge. If you are making a larger piece, then divide the number of stitches by 4—this is the number of stitches for 1”, and then multiply this number by the width of your gauge piece. For example, if my pattern gauge says there should be 18 stitches in 4”, then I divide 18 by 4, which is 4 ½ stitches per inch. If I want my gauge piece to be 6” wide then I multiply 6 by 4 ½ which equals 27; this is my basic number of stitches. If you are knitting a stitch pattern, you should start with a basic count that is a multiple of the stitch count required for the pattern. This should be given in the pattern instructions. Add extra stitches and rows— This step is optional but it makes measuring and counting your stitches a lot easier. Add 4 more stitches to your basic number of stitches. These stitches will be added at the beginning and end of the row, 2 on each side. They will be worked in garter stitch—you will knit the first and last 2 stitches of EVERY row. This allows you to measure right up to the edge of your stockinette or pattern stitches. You can also add garter rows before and after the stockinette or pattern section of your gauge piece. This will allow you to get an accurate row count. Cast on your stitches—basic stitch count plus 4. Knit 3 rows or work the edging given in your pattern. Start stockinette or pattern stitch, knitting first and last two stitches. Work number of rows given in pattern gauge (4”) Knit 3 rows and bind off loosely. If you bind off with a regular tension, your knitting will pull in and this will affect your measurements. Determining your gauge Before measuring— If you think your yarn will shrink, wash the swatch the way you will wash the finished garment. You may also block the gauge piece to insure getting an accurate measurement Measuring your gauge piece— Lay
the gauge piece on a flat surface and measure between the garter
stitches on either side of the stockinette or stitch pattern. Lay your
ruler so it lines up with the edge of the first stitch and note exactly
where the last stitch ends. If your measurement is within one eighth
inch of the desired stitch and row gauge, then your gauge piece is
done. You should use the same needles to knit the pattern. Doing another gauge piece— If
your measurements are not the same as what you planned, then you will
have to make another gauge piece. If your measurement is LESS than you
wanted, you will need to try a bigger needle size. If your measurement
is MORE than you wanted, you will need to try a smaller needle size. Other considerations— Do you like the drape of the fabric? Is it too loose or too stiff? Does the yarn look the way you thought it would? Do you like the stitch pattern? |