Knitting Gauges

Knitting patterns always mention a 'gauge'. This gauge is intended to be a measurement of the number of stitches and rows per inch of knitting. This gauge is produced with knitting needles of the specified size and applying a tension to the wool as you knit, as recommended in the pattern.The type of wool or yarn you use has some bearing too.

To see if your gauge matches the expected size in the pattern follow these steps:

• Take your needles of the specified size and cast on roughly 4 inches of knitting. This means keep adding stitches until the length of all the stitches on the needle measures around 4".
• Now knit stitch the same amount of rows as you have cast on stitches - until you have roughly a square of knitting.
• Cast off your 'swatch' and pin it down somewhere flat. Now measure an inch square with a ruler and count how many stitches and rows make up that inch square.
• Compare this with the specified gauge on the pattern. If you have too many stitches (I usually do as my tension is too tight) you can either use knitting needles a size larger or try to relax the tension on the wool. If you have too fewer stitches then you can use smaller needles or increase your tension.
  
• If you change your needles it is advisable to knit another swatch just to be sure. The last time I ignored this the hat I knitted my daughter ended up being more suitable for her dolly!