How to Gauge Knitting Stitches

If your knitting style produces stitches that are tighter or looser than average, your knitting gauge ' the number of stitches and rows per inch ' may not match that required in your knitting pattern. This could cause your finished piece to be smaller or larger than intended. Follow these steps to ensure that your knitting gauge is correct for your project.

Difficulty:

Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Knitting Gauge Rulers
• Knitting Patterns
• Dressmaker Pins
• Knitting Needles
• Padded Tabletop Or Ironing Boards
• Yarns
• Scissors
• Rulers

1. 

   Read your knitting pattern instructions to determine the correct gauge for your project. Your pattern instructions will tell you how many stitches and rows per inch should be knitted using the suggested-size knitting needles.

2. 

   Use your project yarn and the suggested-size knitting needles to knit a 5-inch square.

3. 

   Pin the sample square to a flat surface, such as an ironing board or a padded tabletop. Make sure that the square is securely pinned, but not stretched.

4. 

   Use a plain ruler or special knitting gauge ruler to count the number of stitches and rows that fall within a 1-inch span.

5. 

   Check your resulting gauge against that required for your knitting project. If the stitches and rows per inch on your sample square are fewer than required, use knitting needles that are one size smaller. If you measure more stitches than required, use knitting needles that are one size larger.

6. Knit another sample square with your project yarn and the new size of knitting needles determined in Step 5.

7. Repeat steps 2 to 6 until your gauge matches the gauge required in your knitting pattern.

Tips & Warnings

• Make sure that you use your intended project yarn to knit your sample square. Another yarn might produce a slightly different-sized stitch.

• Measure away from your sample's edge. Distorted stitches along the sample's edges may result in an inaccurate gauge measurement.

• Measure your sample in two or three different areas to recheck gauge measurement.

• Switch knitting needles instead of trying to alter your knitting style. It's easier and less frustrating.