Gauge

Have you ever knitted a garment that turned out much larger or smaller than you intended? This is most likely due to gauge. So what exactly is gauge, and why is it so important? Don't worry, we'll walk you through it! 🩷

Gauge is a measurement of how many stitches you knit over 10 cm. The gauge you knit a garment at will determine how large or small it turns out. We all knit differently, which is why it's important to knit a small swatch to check your gauge before starting the actual garment. The gauge determines how large or small the garment will be, and therefore also how much yarn is needed to knit it.

Gauge shows the number of stitches in width and height over 10 x 10 cm. To measure your gauge precisely, the swatch must be knitted using the same technique specified in the pattern. If the sweater is knitted in the round, you should do the same for your swatch. Use a tape measure and count the number of stitches across 10 cm in width. Do you have more stitches than stated? Try a needle one size larger. Fewer stitches than stated? Try a needle one size smaller.

Some patterns also state the gauge in height — you measure this the same way, but vertically.

In some cases you may not hit the gauge in both height and width. In that situation, it's most important that the width gauge is correct, as it's easier to adjust the length of the garment by simply knitting it a little shorter or longer.

The gauge stated in the pattern is 19 stitches in width and 22 rounds in height, for a sweater knitted in the round on circular needles.

Cast on approximately three times as many stitches as the stated gauge, so that you can knit in the round on a 40 cm circular needle or using the magic loop technique. When the swatch measures about 12 cm in height, you can count how many stitches you have over 10 cm in width, and how many rounds over 10 cm in height. If you count, for example, 18 stitches over 10 cm, you are knitting more loosely than the stated gauge. It may not sound like much, but it can make a big difference on a sweater. You can then try with a thinner needle.