Swatching in the round

How-to Questions
1

Hi all, I’m back from the sandbox!

I need to swatch for Silken Scabbard, but I’m a little stymied. Since this is a totally in-the-round, top-down raglan, it’s all circular knitting. But how do I swatch? The shortest cable I have for my Options is 24 inches. I know that I change tension between knitting and purling, because I have seen lines in some flat knitting I’ve done (and frogged) so I can’t swatch flat. If I swatch in the round, I can use DPNs, but that’s a different technique. I can try Magic Loop or two circs, but again, that’s a different technique than the majority of the project. I can buy a 12-in Addi Turbo in the right size, but that’s an additional $15. (Although I’ll probably end up doing that anyway) Or, I can swatch on my Options, which will use a LOT of DK yarn for a very vague (5-6 st/in) gauge.

Don’t get me wrong, I want to swatch - I’m using Malabrigo Silky, and am nervous about the fabric growing after washing and blocking. I’m just frustrated that my only choices seem to be knitting a HUGE round swatch or using a different technique.

Any ideas on the best course of action? Other than trusting to negative ease to making the final product fit, that is.

2

No answer for you…just Welcome Back! Glad you got home safe

3

You can fake a circular swatch by knitting flat, like a giant I cord.

Cast on about 30+ stitches and knit across the first row. Then slide the sts back to the end you started on, and leaving the yarn loose across the back, knit again. Keep doing this until you have a sizable swatch that has all knit sts and no purls. If the swatch is supposed to be a stitch pattern rather than stockinette, do it the same way. The edge sts will be REEEALLY loose, but you can knit them twisted and that will help.

4

Here is a video showing swatching in the round. There is no narrative though and not very long, but it gives the general idea http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kKMmaq-e8qw