How to Knit a Gauge or Tension Swatch

Whether you're a novice knitter or a professional, it's important to know how to gauge stitches in a knitting pattern. A gauge or tension swatch tells you how many stitches and rows there should be on a specified size square. This will keep your project sized properly and make the finished product look more polished.

Things You'll Need

• Yarn
• Knitting needles
• Scissors
• Tape Measure
• Chalk - use a color that will show up against the yarn
• Straight pins

Instructions

1. Knit a row, using the Stockinette stitch, approximately 5 inches across, turn and stitch for row two. Continue back and forth until you have knit a square approximately 5-inches square. Lay your swatch right side up on a flat surface. A cardboard cutting board works great. Pin the edges so that it stays straight. Don't stretch the sample.

2. Lay a ruler along the bottom edge of the swatch, make sure it's straight with the edge. Measure a 4-inch length with either pins or mark with chalk.

3. Count the stitches that are between the two points (include any that are over the marker points). Don't forget any half stitches. Write a fraction using the number of stitches over the inches. This should be the gauge on your pattern. Make note of this fraction and refer to your project's instructions for a match. If it does not match, you will need to make an adjustment so that your stitches match the project's listed gauge.