Hi, Everyone,
Another question, this time on checking guage. To properly check the guage, do we knit the pattern and then check or does it work just as well if we knit a square of stockinette stitch? Some of the lacey patterns seem hard to check the guage.
Thanks in advance!:knitting:
I don’t have a huge amount of experience with checking guage… but it’s been my experience that the pattern will usually specify “x stitches per y inches in stockinette” or “… in pattern stitch” or something like that.
Yes, I’ve seen that. I just got a book called One Skein Wonders and they don’t say anything about how to check. And there are a lot of ‘lacey’ patterns where yarn overs are used which I’d love to try.
Hmm, that was totally unhelpful advice then, huh? 
Are there plain stockinette or garter rows in between the rows with the YOs? If so, maybe you could knit up a square in pattern and then count stitches in the stockinette/garter rows. I think YOs are the same width as a regular stitch, but I could be wrong about that.
It’s probably a good idea to knit it in pattern and try to see if it’s anywhere close the the guage. Meanwhile I’ve just been ‘playing’ with the pattern and the first row just does not seem to be correct. I am not an expert knitter but I have knitted for a long time, so I am surprised at how much trouble I’m having. I’m off topic here, but the book has been out a while and I now wonder if there is an errata sheet somewhere. It shouldn’t be so hard!
I read that a designer who makes a lacey pattern will give her gauges in stockinette. She figures if you get the same gauge in stockinette, then the lace pattern will work out. Makes some sense.
Here is my 2 cents:
If your lacey project is a scarf, shawl, or similar shape…exact “gauge” won’t be as critical as, for example, a pullover or cardigan where [COLOR=Red]exact gauge is critical[/COLOR] to the garment’s correct size.
However, if your gauge is waaaaay off for a scarf or shawl…you may run out of yarn if you are knitting looser than the designer intended.
My recommendation: bite the bullet, grit your teeth, dig in and knit a gauge swatch “in pattern” (if she said so) or in St St (if she said so)…and measure the results.
It is never a waste of time to do proper gauge swatches. It also allows you to practice your lace pattern for a while!
My first NIGHTMARE caused by incorrect gauge was this (you’ll laugh!): many moons ago, I knit my first aran (yeah, calbes, bobbles and all) pullover sweater…I was very ambitious! I knew nothing about gauge…so I just grabbed the needle suggested in the book…and knit away! When I was all done…knitting, seaming, the works!..my sweater was about a size 24! (I was a size 4!) It was supposed to be mid-hip length…it was knee length on me.
Sigh.
Gauge is so important. 