I’m working on a gauge swatch for a cardigan I want to knit from a Phildar pattern, and I’m having problems matching the row gauge.
The tension should be 16 sts x 23 rows over 10 cm x 10 cm. They give me a pattern chart for tension, 25 stitches x 36 rows.
I’m wondering how to correctly measure my guage over a pattern that includes yarn overs, k2tog’s, sl 1 k1 psso, etc? Do I measure the whole swatch and compare that to the correct tension? In this case, the swatch should measure about 15.6 cm x 15.6 cm if I’m right on gauge, right?
I’ve knit up a couple of swatches (same size needle, one on bamboo needles, one on addis), but I keep getting a swatch that is 15.6 cm wide, and about 17.5 cm long. But before I knit yet another swatch, I want to make sure I’m measuring them correctly.
Guage can be tricky! Does the pattern ask you to do guage in the pattern for the sweater or does it ask you to do it in stockinette stitch. Patterns vary in what they ask for in guage, so check carefully in the pattern. If it does ask for the swatch do be done in pattern stitch then you’ll want to count every stitch in the pattern.
Your row guage won’t matter as much as your stitches per inch so as long as you have the stitches per inch you should be okay.
I have read that row gauge doesn’t matter as much, but the whole pattern for the cardigan uses charts, and if I’m knitting the pieces flat, from the bottom up, and I follow the chart, the pieces will be the wrong length if my row gauge is off.
If I have to measure the gauge stitch-by-stitch, how do I count them if there’s a yarn over next to a sl1 k2 tog psso? Wouldn’t I have to get an average count?
I’m at a loss of how to help at this point. I was doing some research on Google and Eunny Jang says to take the swatch and wash it and block it the same way you would the sweater to see if you can get the correct gauge that way.
She also has a post here about accounting for problems with gauge. I’m very tired today so most of it went :whoosh: but maybe it will help you!
(yes, I love the way it looks on the model, and in the vain hope that I might be able to produce something that pretty, I want to be absolutely fastidious about my gauge)
I totally forgot to consult Eunny Jang’s wisdom - thanks for sending me the link! I think this will help.
I hope that it does help - it really is a stunning sweater! Good luck - let us know if you have more questions and definatley post pictures when you are done! :cheering:
