Have you ever knitted something that came out completely different than what you had envisioned? Sometimes we can experience quite a shock or disappointment if a garment ended up way bigger or smaller than intended. This is most likely due to knitting with the wrong gauge. "What is gauge?" you might ask. Don't worry - we will guide you through it 🩷

What is gauge?

Gauge is a measure that shows how many stitches are present within 10 cm. Gauge determines the size of the garment. We all knit differently, and therefore have different gauges. That’s why you should always knit a swatch to check your gauge, ensuring the correct outcome when knitting. Otherwise, you might end up with a garment that’s an entirely different size than intended. You might also find yourself with either too much or too little yarn to complete the project. Therefore, we always recommend checking gauge before starting a knitting project. 

How to measure gauge

Gauge shows the number of stitches in width and height within a 10 x 10 cm square. To find the gauge, knit a swatch a bit larger than 10 cm, using the needles and yarn specified in the pattern. Use a measuring tape and count the number of stitches over 10 cm. Do you have too many stitches? Try a needle size larger. Do you have too few stitches? Try a needle size smaller.

Example:

Specified gauge: 19 stitches in stockinette stitch = 10 cm. 

Cast on a few more than 19 stitches, knit back and forth until you have a swatch measuring 15 x 15 cm. If, for instance, you count 20 stitches in 10 cm, you’re knitting too tightly. It might not seem like much, but it can make a big difference. In that case, try using a larger needle size. A rule of thumb is that going up or down half a needle size results in approximately one stitch more or less in gauge.