I keep having the same problem across different projects: too few stitches per 10 cm, but too many rows.
For example, my washed Frankie Sweater is:
18 sts / 10 cm instead of 20
31 rows / 10 cm instead of 28
So my stitches are wider but shorter.
I’m using the recommended DK-weight yarn and knitted this sweater on 4 mm needles. I knit continental, stockinette in the round, with metal needles.
In the past, I’ve tried going all the way down to 3 mm needles, but it didn’t solve the problem — I still couldn’t get beyond about 19 sts / 10 cm, while my row count increased significantly.
Could this be caused by my knitting technique? I’d really love to figure out what I’m doing wrong, because this happens to me with pretty much every project. Any advice would be very much appreciated!
Welcome to the forum!
It could be that your knitting is too loose. Patty Lyons has some recommendations for correcting this if it turns out this is the problem with stitch gauge. Row gauge (or failure to get it) is often not such a problem since patterns often give length to knit in inches or cms. Raglans and sideways knits do need the correct row gauge or a re-calculation for the raglan lines.
(I couldn’t get the videos to play but the text itself is helpful.)
This is a good video on loose sts.
Can you give us the name of the Frankie designer please? I found several with that name.
Have you tried a large swatch where the gauge begins as you have said, but then (when it is dry) give it a good tug length/height wise and remeasure the gauge?
Or if it is damp, or steamed and you lay it flat then gently spread the fabric more length wise, and remeasure the gauge?
What happens if you leave the fabric to dry like that nd remeasure?
Do you usually block with blocking pins and mats? (This is not a judgement, I don’t do this as my mobility prevents me) Are you able to gently manipulate the fabric into the correct stitch and row gauge this way?
I think there are few people who get gauge spot on. Deciding how to modify patterns to accomodate the personal gauge might be more successful than seeking the ellusive perfect gauge.
Also, personally, i think it is more important you like the fabric that is produced rather than meeting gauge.
