How to Gauge Yarn With a Ruler

Changing the gauge changes how your stitches look.

"Gauge" is a way of quantifying the appropriate amount of tension and stitch spacing for a piece of crocheted or knitted work. Gauge is usually described as a certain number of stitches per inch, or how many stitches you need to create a 4-inch-by-4-inch swatch. Most knitters can get the desired gauge by using the size of needles and type of yarn recommended in a pattern. Nevertheless, your stitches might be tighter or looser than the designer's stitches, so taking the time to knit or crochet a gauge swatch before you begin -- and then check it with a ruler -- saves you work in the end.

Things You'll Need

• Knitting needles or crochet hook
• Yarn
• Ruler

Instructions

1. Knit or crochet a swatch of fabric in the pattern you'll use for the finished design that measures at least 4 inches across and 4 inches long. Making a swatch that measures 6 inches across is even better; the extra space on each side helps the piece lie flat and makes it easier to measure and count how many stitches are in 4 inches, the most common gauge specification.

2. Bind off loosely to secure the stitches. Lay the swatch flat and smooth, but don't stretch or pin it in place. Unless otherwise noted, gauge measurements apply to unblocked knitting, or how the stitches lie immediately after they come off the needles.

3. Place your ruler so the "zero" end lines up with the edge of a stitch in the fabric, and the long edge of the ruler lies parallel across the row. Use a knitting needle or yarn needle to help you count stitches until you note the distance specified in the gauge measurement, usually either 1 inch or 4 inches.

4. Adjust the needle size up if you had too many stitches per inch or per 4 inches. If you didn't have enough stitches inches, use smaller needles. Knit another test swatch and check the gauge with your ruler, repeating swatches as necessary until you attain the correct gauge.

Tips & Warnings

• Some patterns specify the number of rows in a gauge swatch. To measure this, orient the ruler so the "zero" edge lies at the bottom of one row and the long edge runs perpendicular to the rows. Use a knitting needle, yarn needle or other indicator to help you count how many rows are in the specified distance.

• If you're measuring gauge for your own design, write down how many stitches and rows were in a 4-inch-by-4-inch swatch, and what type of yarn and size knitting needles you used.

• The same procedure applies for gauging crochet work, except record the crochet hook size instead of knitting needle size.

References

• Lion Brand Yarn; Gauge & Why it Matters; Barbara Breiter