Gauge is subjective, every knitting or crocheting project is different even if you work with the same knitting needles and yarn. The gauge also depends on the knitter as every individual has a unique tension and knitting style. For knitters and crocheters who work with a pattern, getting the right gauge is very important. But, even when you are planning your own design, it is important to start working with a gauge swatch. The swatch will give you an idea of the yarn & needle combination, how much yarn you will be needing and how your project will shape up. Whether you are making a pair of socks or a blanket, the first step of a knitting project, or for that matter even crochet projects must always be a gauge swatch. In fact, learn more about why gauge is your most useful tool when you knit or crochet. In this blog, we’ll discuss the tips and tricks to get the perfect knitting gauge.

Making Gauge Swatch

Before you make the gauge swatch, go through your pattern carefully. Make sure to work with the same size and type of knitting needles and crochet hooks. Choose the same yarn weight too. For the stitch pattern, work as per instruction. If it's a swatch for a circular project make sure to knit in the round for accurate results. Washing and blocking the swatch gets it ready for measuring. Once dry, place the swatch on a flat table and measure out an inch or as mentioned in the pattern with measuring tape. A pointy knitting needle tip will help you count the number of stitches across the center of the swatch, horizontally, called stitch gauge and when measured vertically it is the row gauge. If both count matches, then you have the right gauge. If the count is off, then you need to make changes to match.

1. Change Knitting Needle or Crochet Hook Size

The easiest way to get a gauge is to change the knitting needle or the crochet hook size. If the count of stitches is more than the number mentioned in the pattern, switch to knitting needles of a smaller size. If the count is lesser than the gauge calls for, go up a needle or hook size. This change of the knitting needle or crochet hook size works for both the row and stitch count. If the count is just off by a few stitches, then you can continue knitting with the pattern.

2. Change the Needle Type

Now, if the gauge mentions knitting with circular needles and you work the gauge with single-pointed needles, then many times the gauge does not match changing the knitting needles is the trick to get the right gauge. Work with needles as mentioned in the pattern. You can work knitting in the round with either double points (DPNs) or circular needles, either fixed or interchangeable. And, when working on a pattern knitting back and forth, the options are either single points (STNs) or fixed or interchangeable circular needles. Even though knitting needle sizes are consistent, different needle types are not always exactly the same size. Working with different needle types is said to be particularly helpful to correct the stitch gauge but not necessarily the row gauge. If you are knitting sideways it’s important to get the row gauge right.

3. Knit the Swatch Flat or in the Round

As we’ve mentioned above, to get the perfect gauge, knit the gauge swatch in the way. If it's a flat pattern, knit accordingly as for knitting in the round, make a swatch the same way. Even if it’s a small circumference you can cut the swatch and make it flat. It is because of the reason that knitters knit back and forth and round a little differently. Also, for many knitters, the purl stitches are a little looser than their knit stitches. Also, knitting seamlessly without turning your project and turning your project after each row makes a lot of difference.

4. Change the way you tension your working yarn

Tensioning the yarn correctly is a key trick for neat knitting projects. Hold the working yarn (the strand of yarn that’s attached to your yarn ball) in a way that helps in the smooth stitch-making. Each knitter has its own tensioning style. Some prefer to weave the yarn in between their fingers while some wrap the yarn around the index finger. Whatever your style, the idea is that the yarn flows through your fingers, not obstructing the stitches or being too loose. Sometimes to get a gauge you can experiment with how you change the way you tension the working yarn.

5. Try another knitting style

In knitting, the most common ways to knit are English or Continental styles. They are different ways to hold knitting needles, tension the working yarn and make stitches. The English style of knitting is also known as throwing as you basically throw the yarn over the needle tip to make stitches. The continental style of knitting is known as picking as you basically pick the working yarn to make stitches. There are also other knitting styles such as Lever, Portuguese and Shetland. Switching to a new knitting style is a challenge but it can work wonders for your knitting experience and also helps get the right gauge. For crocheting there are no particular styles, but crocheters can experiment with how they tension the yarn on their fingertips to get the gauge.

Many times it has been observed that changing the knitting needle or crochet hook material will also help you get desired results. If you are working with wood or bamboo such as the Symfonie Dreamz or Ginger range and don’t get the right gauge, you can switch to Zing or the Mindful Collection as they are smooth aluminum and stainless steel. Besides, the needles and hooks, sometimes inspecting your yarn can get you on the right track. You may not have used the exact yarn fiber or weight which makes getting gauge out of your hands.

Even if you have followed all points, you might still fail to get the gauge. If you love the fabric created then simply go forward with it. Make changes to your pattern and then the measurements won’t go wrong.
As always, happy knitting!