Ever wondered what on earth a crochet or knit gauge is all about? Well in this post i am going to explain what a gauge swatch is and how to accurately measure gauge in crochet.
It is important that your gauge, when you are stitching away in a project, is the same as the gauge that is stated in the pattern. If it’s not, your project will not look like the photo does and it might not fit like the finished project in the photo fits.
What is a gauge swatch?
Simply put, a gauge is the number of stitches and rows per inch in a pattern. The aim of a gauge is to match the finished garment of the patterns. If the gauge does not match the gauge given in a pattern, the item you’re making will not end up the correct size.
A gauge swatch is a small sample of your pattern that you make before starting the main item. Since tension is different for every crafter, the swatch tries to bring us all to the same crochet tension so we can end up with a simmilar crochet project size.
How to make a gauge swatch
Making a gauge swatch is very easy. However, when making the swatch, you want to use the stitch that the pattern you are making is following. This swatch can be 4-5″ long.
How to measure a gauge swatch
Depending on how you decide to measure gauge swatch, there are several ways you can do it. There is a special tool made to measure gauge, but nothing a ruler or crochet hook cannot fix.
If you are using a gauge calculator, rotate your ruler 90 degrees and, aligning your ruler with the top of a stitch from the center of the swatch, count the number of stitches within 4 inches. In the same manner, you will turn the swatch to count the rows.
How to write a gauge swatch in crochet
A gauge swatch is written in the manner it is measured. When measuring gauge, you star with the stitches. Count the number of stitches in 4″. and write down the stitch count.
Following that, turn the swatch around to you are counting the number of rows in 4″ and write down that number too. The end number will be
X Stitches in X Rows = 4″X4″ ( The 4″X4″ is 4 inches by 4 inches)
How to adjust a gauge swatch
When you make your gauge swatch it does not mean your tension will allign with that of the patterns, we may have different tensions. However, we do not have to sit down and making hundreds of swatches just to match the patterns gauge.
However, you might make your swatch a few times to match the patterns.
If you have too few stitches per inch, or too few rows per inch, then you want to make another gauge swatch with a smaller crochet hook.
If you have too many rows over that 4″, make another swatch with a larger crochet hook. Always remember to treat the swatch the way you would the project and measure again.
single crochet gauge
Step 1: To get started, using the yarn in the stitch pattern, and the crochet hook that you are going to use in your project, make a square that is at least 4-5″ wide by 4-5″ tall.
We like to measure gauge over 4 inches so it is more accurate. You want to ake sure you measure in the cener of your swatch because stitches along the edge or the foundation chain might pull up a bit and not be an accurate representation of the stitching that you are going to do.
Step 3: The next thing you need to do, is treat tthe gauge swatch the same way you are going to treat the final projext. If it is a pattern stitch that needs to be blocked, then block the swatch. If it is a sweater or a blanket and you are going to machine wash and dry it, then do the same for the swatch.
You want the most accurate numbers you can get
Step 4: Next, take a ruler and start to measure your stitches, i like to use a measuring tape, but a ruler is just fine. Start at the first line of the ruler or measuring tape and we are going to count across the stitches until you get to the 4″ mark. then write down the number of stitches you find.
Step 5: Turn it the other way, and measure the rows. Once again, start near the center of the swatch and start counting where the line is, and count the number of rows till the 4″ mark. Write the number down.
So it will be X stitches in X rows over 4 “.
Compare the gauge swatch you got to the gauge listen on the pattern. If you have too few stitches per inch, or too few rows per inch, then you want to make another gauge swatch with a smaller crochet hook.
If you have too many rows over that 4″, make another swatch with a larger crochet hook. Always remember to treat the swatch the way you would the project and measure again.
I know the time put into making a gauge swatch looks too much, but the time invested in making sure your stitching compares to that of the pattern is going to mean that the time you invested in aking the pattern is going to give you a project that you love.
double crochet gauge
Making a double crochet gage swatch is not so different to making a single crochet gauge swatch. The difference is that you will have less rows since the double crochet stitch is far much longer than the single crochet.
Do you know how to make a gauge swatch yet?
I hop you found this article helpful. If you have read this post to the end, then you know:
- What is a gauge swatch
- How to make a gauge switch
- How to measure a gauge swatch
- How to write a gauge swatch
- How to adjust a gauge swatch
- Single crochet & Double crochet gauge swatch
If something somwehere did not make much sense, remember we have a comment section you can ask anything and i will be more than happy to get back to you!
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