Knit 5 St sts + 7 rows=1 inch

#1

Am trying for the right guage on this skein. Should I really only cast on and knit 5 stockinette stitches to 7 rows to get an inch?

Isn’t it true I should do a couple of extra rows or something to measure in the middle or something?

Help please!

Denise

#2

I do an outside border - 3 rows garter, then three stitches garter on either side of the gauge (almost always done in stockinette), and then three rows garter stitch along the top.

The garter stitch border keeps the stockinette from curling.

Then I measure the inside bit.

#3

Oh yes… I always do the inside bit as a 4x4 square…

So if it says 5 st x 7 rows = 1 inch, I would knit 20 st x 28 rows (not including the 3 stitch/row garter border) and then measure.

A one inch square always seems too small for me to be sure.

Also, if I’m nervous about wasting the yarn (say, I only bought enough for the pattern) I will knit my gauge swatch, measure, and then unravel it and re-roll it onto my ball without cutting the thread.

#4

So, just to make sure I’m understanding you correctly:

I should cast on 23 stitches, do the first 3 rows in garter, 22 in stockinette, and then the last 3 rows in garter?

#5
#6

I’d make a swatch quite a bit bigger than the stitches I’m looing for (say, cast on 50 and make about 20 rows) just to see not only the gauge I’m making, but the consistency. Also, if there is a pattern, make sure to include the pattern in there b/c that’s what your garment will ultimately be.

Here’s something annoying that I read :roll: but it makes sense: wash and block your swatch before measure gauge… :idea:

HTH,

Carie

#7

I would cast on 26 stitches, do the first three rows in garter, then do 22 rows of garter stitch for the first three stitches, stockinette for the middle 20, and garter stitch for the last three stitches. Then after those 22 rows I would do a final three rows of garter stitch.

Basically, my stockinette square would be framed by garter stitch on all four sides.

#8

then do 22 rows of garter stitch for the first three stitches, stockinette for the middle 20, and garter stitch for the last three stitches.

By this, do you mean knit the first 3 and last 3 of every row, regardless of if it’s time to knit or purl?

Ex:

Row 4…knit all the way across
Row 5…knit knit knit purl for 20 knit knit knit
Row 6 knit all the way across

Sorry for all the questions, but this is all new to me!

#9

Exactly right!

#10

Thanks!!!