Swatching Tips

Critical tips for machine knitting accurate gauge swatches.

The whole point of a swatch is to accurately determine how many stitches and rows you are getting with YOUR yarn on YOUR machine. For accuracy, you don't measure a swatch from edge to edge, you measure in the center of the swatch.

1. It's important to knit a swatch that is large enough to measure AT LEAST 4" square in the middle.
2. To prevent errors, knit the same number of stitches and rows on every swatch you knit on a specific machine.
3. Use contrasting color yarn of a similar weight to your garment weight to mark the center area of your swatch
4. Permanently record your tension setting on your swatch (eyelets or tag)
5. Let your swatch rest before measuring
6. Dress your swatch as you will treat your finished knitting.
7. Measure accurately - both flat and hanging
8. Swatch for every stitch pattern you will be knitting

BOTTOM LINE:

1. Unless you are using a gauge ruler, knit a swatch AT LEAST 5" square. (Just guess ... don't get hung up with rules) You want to measure the stitches within the middle of the swatch.  Don't try to measure from edge to edge, you WON'T get an accurate measurement.
2. Mark a section at least an inch from each edge of your swatch.  Use a contrasting color yarn and baste a quick square.
3. Measure the square and count the number of stitches and rows within the square.
   Divide the number of stitches by the width measurement (24 sts / 4"  = 6 stitches per inch)
   Divide the number of rows by the length measurement (30 sts / 4" = 7.5 rows per inch)