Gauge swatch rows way off

Hello, I’ve been working on my brioche stitch (thanks salmonmac!) and am struggling with getting my swatch right. 10 mm needles were ending up far too big so I switched down to 8mm and my stitch count is OK but my row count is ridiculously off. The pattern states 10sts x 24 rows for a 4in square with 10 mm needles. I’ve got 14 rows. :grimacing:

I don’t know if this is the ultimate arrogance but don’t think that it could be a misprint in the book? I had a look on Ravelry at brioche patterns using the same yarn suggested in my pattern and the tension is much closer to what I’m getting than what the books says.

The pattern itself is a fairly simple square construction that mainly goes from the length rather than row counts so I’m guessing that the row length on the swatch isn’t vital? But it’s so far off I’m bamboozled. If it was so far off in both directions it would make more sense to me. Maybe I just need much more practice!

Mistakes do happen. Have you checked for errata? It seems like the number of rows is high to me.

Since brioche is so stretchy it isn’t easy to measure gauge to begin with.
Are you counting the knit sts along a column of the brioche? I wonder if your pattern is counting each V as one rows although it takes 2 rows to make each V that you’re seeing. That would give you a row gauge of 14 which still isn’t 12 brioche rows but is closer to pattern gauge. A question to the designer will clear this up.

As you say, the pattern gives length measurements rather than row numbers so you should be ok. The one place to watch out for is raglan seams. Raglan seams are worked as a given numbers of increases or decreases and row gauge will become important. This pattern doesn’t have raglan construction so you should be fine.

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Oohhhh, now that might make sense regarding the vs being 2….

Yes, the pattern I’m working isn’t raglan either and it’s a fairly boxy forgiving shape. Going to do another swatch and see if I get closer!

Thanks again!

Hello! Thanks so much for your reply. Can I ask a really silly question: what’s the best way to check for errata? :joy:

I have no idea I’m sorry to say. I’d try a search with erratta and the name of the pattern and designer or the book it came from and hope for the best.

Oh good, that’s what I tried! I didn’t know if there was a secret way :joy:. Thanks so much!