How to Gauge Knitting Stitches
If the knitting pattern that you are completing requires that your stitches are either tighter or looser than typical, your knitting gauge may not exactly match the number that is required by your knitting pattern. If not handled properly, a situation like this could cause your finished project to look either smaller of larger than it should be.
What You'll Need:
- Knitting patterns
- Knitting gauge rulers
- Dressmaker pins
- Knitting needles
- Ironing board
- Yarns
- Scissors
- Rulers
- Carefully read your knitting pattern instructions to establish the proper gauge for this particular project. The instructions will tell you exactly how many stitches and rows per inch should be used.
- Be sure to use both the correct yarn for the project as well as the suggested knitting needle size in order to knit a square that is 5 inches.
- Use a pin to connect the sample square to a flat surface such as an ironing board. Ensure that the square is securely pinned but not so tight that it is stretched.
- Using a plain ruler, count the total number of both stitches and rows that are placed within a 1-inch span.
- Double check the end result of your gauge with the required number enclosed in the description for your desired pattern. If both the stitches and rows per inch within your sample square are less than the required number, consider using knitting needles that are at least one size smaller. If your end result of your sample square is greater than the stitches required, consider using a knitting needle that is at least one size larger.
- Make the necessary adjustments to the size of your knitting needles and knit another sample square using your project yarn and the new size knitting needle.
- Continue repeating steps 2 through 6 until you achieve the correct gauge that is required for your knitting pattern.