Hi, I’m new to knitting. My first project is a scarf. I did a gauge swatch, but it isn’t right. I end up with a rectangle instead of a square.
I have the right number of rows for my 4 inches, but I’m a half an inch short for my stitches. The pattern calls for #15 needles. I can’t find #16 needles and I’m worried that jumping up to #17 needles will make the scarf too wide and still won’t be in correct proportions. I’m considering adding two stitches to my pattern, but it has a picot bind off and I’m not sure how to adjust that part of the pattern.
Welcome to KH and to knitting!
Try the size 17 needle. You’ll probably be closer to gauge and if the scarf is a little wider than called for, that should still be ok.
What is the name of your pattern?
Usually for a gauge swatch, you should cast on more than the gauge tells you. That way you can measure over the middle 4 inches and exclude edge sts. ( You can still measure over the middle 2” of your current swatch.)
I’m sorry this too so long to get back to you. Holidays happened.
The pattern is called the fisherman’s wife scarf by whiletheyplaydesigns.com. I ended it going with the size 15 needle. I did a few practices starts (did about 15 rows) then ripped it out with a practice yarn) since I never did cables before and by the end my gauge was cop
