How to Find Knitting Gauge

A knitting gauge tool will tell you how many stitches you knit per inch.

Making a gauge swatch is a crucial first step in most knitting projects. Depending on the pattern, the stitch, the needle size and the yarn, your tension may be different for different projects. When you measure a gauge swatch with a gauge tool, you are counting your stitches both horizontally and vertically. Most knitting patterns start by telling you the gauge at which the project should be worked. If you have more or fewer stitches than the pattern suggests, changing needle size will help you find the correct gauge.

Things You'll Need

• Knitting needles
• Yarn
• Gauge tool

Instructions

1. Cast on as many stitches as your pattern recommends to make a 4-inch square. For example, if your pattern states that the gauge should be five stitches per inch, cast on 20 stitches.

2. Knit the square in the pattern stitch until it is 4 inches tall. Measure with the ruler on the edge of your gauge tool.

3. Lay the open 90-degree angle of the gauge tool to the right edge of one of your stitches. Measuring in the middle of the swatch will give you a more accurate measure of gauge than measuring on the edge.

4. Count the number of stitches in the 2-inch horizontal opening on the gauge tool.

5. Count the number of stitches in the 2-inch vertical opening on the gauge tool.

6. Check your measurements against the pattern. If you have more stitches per inch than the pattern calls for, go up one needle size and make another swatch. If you have fewer, go down one needle size. Continue knitting swatches until your gauge matches the pattern.

References

• Earth Guild; Understanding Knitting Gauge; Mary Smith; 2001
• Knitty; Swatch Out; Marilyn A. Roberts; Spring 2003

Resources

• Knitting Help: Advanced Knitting Techniques