Couple of questions… first of all, when a pattern states a certain weight for yarn, what does that mean? For example, the pattern I want to do says I need “double knitting weight yarn (2 strands working at the same time) in 8 1/2 ounces”. When I went to the store I couldn’t find any yarn with that weight.
Second question (cause I can’t seem to get a straight answer from yarn websites), when I knit a gauge swatch which is more important, the length or the width? Or are they both equally important?
And lastly (yes I know, lots of questions :lol:) when I try to knit a gauge swatch with large needles (at least size 15 or larger) in st st, one side is tight and the other is very loose. Any advice on how to fix that??
Weight means the thickness of the wool, what country are you in? because different countries have different names for the same weight.
Generally knit to stitch gauge (width) because if the row gauge is different, you can knit a different number of rows more easily, to get the right number of cm/in.
What do you mean one ‘side’ is tighter? Can you describe the type of pattern or name it? If it is a free online pattern a link would let us help you best.
Sarah
I’d be stuck, too! Does your pattern give a brand name or type of yarn that they used? I’ve used Yarndex to find out what type of yarn I should use for something (for example, a pattern called for “Supersoft Toddler Aran” and I had no idea what it was or how many yards per skein - yarndex told me it was a worsted weight yarn and had 258 yards/skein. I also learned it was acryllic and though I liked the pattern, I’d be happier with another yarn.).
For gauge, the width is more important than height/length. You can always add more rows (knit it up to a certain length), but you can’t nearly as easily add/subtract from the width.
Which side is tight and which is loose on your large needles?
Double knitting weight yarn would be listed as DK or sometimes light worsted on the lable of the yarn. If you’re buying yarn it’ll say the weight on it…fingering, lace, DK, worsted, bulky, etc. Those are all the names of the weights.
Like the others said, I’d go with width rather than height, it’s easier to correct the height.
Can you explain more about your problem with the swatch or post a pic? That might help to see what the problem is.
The pattern is from Leisure Arts and is called “Hush-A-Bye”. It’s a baby afghan. The yarn I picked out was “Pound of Love” by Lionbrand which is 16oz. Here are a couple of pics of my gauge swatch (my son pulled the needle out so it’s a bit messy but you get the idea (he’s 3)). Hopefully this info will help.
Hmmm…maybe you’re starting out very tight then loosening as you knit the row making it look like that. Do you tend to keep the same tension throughout the whole row?
Here’s my guess: when you knit, the ball of yarn has a fair amount of yarn wound off it waiting to be knit. As you knit, that yarn gets used up and the tension gets tighter until the end of the row comes and you give another tug from the ball to get more yarn free.
Your stitches are twisted on alternating rows as well. How are your knit stitches seated on the needle? Is the leading leg (the right) in the front or the back of the needle? It should be in the front. If it’s not, and it’s to the back, you should be knitting into the back leg of the stitch (entering the stitch from right to left) rather than the front leg (entering from left to right).
it also looks like your cast on edge is really tight
when I cast one sometimes I pul the knot part tight
and I have to tug the edge laterally (sideways) to give the cast on edge some give, some space between stitches
I’m thinking that the pattern might be calling for using regular knitting weight (worsted) - doubled, not 2 strands of DK weight, though I may be wrong. What’s the gauge supposed be for sts/inch on size 15s?
