Hi all!
I just started on Rogue, and it says to make the hem facing with needles 1 or 2 sizes smaller than needle for main part of body. How do I know what size is better? For example, if I get 5 sts/inch with smaller needles and 4 sts/inch for main needles, is the difference too large? What difference of gauge is optimal?
Thank you! 
Ariane100. I’m sure someone with more experience than I have will respond but I would tend to go for one size down unless you specifically wanted a tighter hem for some reason. Since you have the gauge I would measure the ‘body’ where the hem will sit and perhaps make a decision that way. The difference in the two gauges you refer to would only be great if say there are a lot of stitches but the second size down will be a more obvious visual reduction than the first size down and so on. If both gauges would make for a good ‘fit’ I think it would come down to the look you would most prefer i.e. something more obvious or something more like the main part of the pattern sizing.
I’ve always gone down 2-3 szs. I tend to be a loose knitter so I need a discernible diff in what gets placed inside. You don’t want the hem to be so snug as to pull but if not firm enough the hem will flare. You may not even notice a diff of st sz when only reducing 1 ndl sz thus, you may need to mock a sample just to be sure. (Funky illustration but there should be a slight reduction in width in the hem. If straight, go down another ndl sz.)
| Body |
| Body |
\ Hem /
HTH,
cam
Thanks! I didn’t know that the hem would flare… I was wondering why the hem was knit tighter. I’ll think I try a mock sample like you suggest.
I think the idea of doing a swatch sample best as again, the ‘look’ you seek will influence. I’m not a loose knitter, nor tight, and generally one size down will suit because I don’t want a tightish looking hem. I often however change the stitch style also and that in itself can make one size down more than enough. Let us know what the outcome is for you 
Ariane, here’s pic of hem on one of my sweaters. It was done with ndls 2-3 sizes smaller. Hard to tell the diff but the smaller st sz gives a cleaner line.
cam
It does look very neat!
I’m afraid to go down too much and to have the hem pull the outside fabric in too much. I don’t want the hem to flare but I don’t want a hem that’s tighter around my hips than the rest of the sweater, either. I guess making samples is necessary…