They say its boring, tedious and time consuming. I say its its a matter of perspective. Really if you think about it, knitting up a gauge swatch is not an annoying first step that only delays your diving into your next knitting project. Its an important step that will reveal if that knitting project is really worth your effort! That little bit of initial knitting is going to give you a whole lot of information.
1. Your swatch will reveal if you finished project is going to be the right size.
Making a gauge swatch, or a small sample worked in the pattern, is the way to see if your finished work will turn out the same size the pattern specifies. Your swatch will tell you if you are knitting the number of stitches and rows to the inch with the recommended needles called for in the pattern so you can make any necessary adjustments before you begin the actual project.
Making a gauge swatch, or a small sample worked in the pattern, is the way to see if your finished work will turn out the same size the pattern specifies. Your swatch will tell you if you are knitting the number of stitches and rows to the inch with the recommended needles called for in the pattern so you can make any necessary adjustments before you begin the actual project.
2. The swatch is a sneak peak of the fabric you will be making
The swatch is a great place to see if the stitch pattern will turn out well and let you know if you even like it! It's better to find out that you don't like the results of a stitch pattern after making a small sample than after you've spent 5 hours working on it.
The swatch is a great place to see if the stitch pattern will turn out well and let you know if you even like it! It's better to find out that you don't like the results of a stitch pattern after making a small sample than after you've spent 5 hours working on it.
3. You can decide what adjustments, if any are necessary.
Changes in gauge or tools can insure that your project ends up being the correct size, or gives you the look you were expecting. A swatch will allow you to make changes to asses how you like the drape, texture and suitability of the fabric for your project. Nobody wants a garment that looks "slightly off", even if it was a gift. It's better to find out ahead of time if the fabric will work for your interned project by making a sample swatch.
Changes in gauge or tools can insure that your project ends up being the correct size, or gives you the look you were expecting. A swatch will allow you to make changes to asses how you like the drape, texture and suitability of the fabric for your project. Nobody wants a garment that looks "slightly off", even if it was a gift. It's better to find out ahead of time if the fabric will work for your interned project by making a sample swatch.
4. You can determine if the care instructions for your yarn are accurate
There is no disappointment like pulling a shrunken project from the dryer. Before risking the fruits of your labor based on the recommended care instructions, try them out on your swatch. Better to sacrifice a small sample than the whole thing.
There is no disappointment like pulling a shrunken project from the dryer. Before risking the fruits of your labor based on the recommended care instructions, try them out on your swatch. Better to sacrifice a small sample than the whole thing.
5. The men in your life don't really want pink boxers ... trust me on this one!
A lot of care labels state the item can be washed with like colors. That may, or may not be true. Here it is prudent not to trust the label without proof to back up its claims. Soaking your swatch is a good way to see if your garment will be colorfast. Check to see if any dye bleeds into the water. Using your swatch to test how to properly clean and care for the finished object will let you provide the applicable care instructions when giving the item as a gift.
6. Will give you a sneak peak into a new relationship ... with the yarn, that is
Yarns have different characteristics and usually will not reveal how those features will act in an actual project while the yarn is innocently wrapped in its hank, ball or skein. Making a sample will let you know if your new yarn find is suitable for a given project.
Yarns have different characteristics and usually will not reveal how those features will act in an actual project while the yarn is innocently wrapped in its hank, ball or skein. Making a sample will let you know if your new yarn find is suitable for a given project.
As you can see, not all of the reasons for making a gauge swatch have to do with number of stitches or rows to the inch. Although that information is critical, if you want your project to come out the right size, most of the reasons for making a swatch have more to do with evaluating whether or not the yarn and project will satisfy your overall expectations.
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