Gauge Problems

How-to Questions
1

Hey guys,

So, I’m fairly new to knitting, but I seem to be doing fine for the most part. I’m starting probably my hardest project so far and I’m having a hard time getting the gauge right. I bought this yarn its gauge says that 17 stitches equals 4 in, and 21 rows equals 4 inches. I need it to be 16 stitches by 20 rows to equal 4x4. I’ve tried different sized needles and I just can’t seem to do it right. Should I go to bigger needles or smaller needles? Please help!!

Thanks!

Here’s the link for the hat I want to knit:
http://www.berroco.com/exclusives/kap/kap.html

2

Your best bet is to knit a swatch larger than 4x4 and then measure the stitches in the center to get a count without the edge. Then, if you have too many stitches per inch, you go up a needle size. Too few per inch, go down a needle size.

Stitch gauge is more important than row gauge–you can always knit a different number of rows, but you can’t change the width. Most patterns are written so that you knit for a certain number of inches, anyway.