Skip to content
Intermediate: Swatching - What does it mean and why do we do it?

Intermediate: Swatching - What does it mean and why do we do it?

by Statement Junkie Yarn Co.
$40.00 - $40.00
$40.00
$40.00 - $40.00
$40.00
Availability:
Only 1 left!
Availability:
Out of stock
Choose a Date

Course

This two hour course will cover everything you need to know to be able to knit a swatch for your project and how to check your gauge.

  • Knitting a swatch in the round and how it will differ from knitting a swatch flat
  • Blocking
  • Measuring your swatch and checking gauge
  • Adjustments to make if your gauge is off
  • Measuring a swatch with different stitches such as cables, stockinette, textured stitches etc.

You will need to know how to:

  • Cast on/off
  • Knit
  • Purl

Materials:

Supplies are not included. You will need to bring approximately. 25 grams of yarn and suggested needles based on the yarn weight you have chosen.

If you are taking this class for the purpose of knitting a garment, please bring the pattern, proper needles (ie. circular), yarn you will be using.

What is gauge?

Gauge is a measurement of how big your stitches are. Gauge has two parts, stitches, and rows. This means that gauge is measuring both the width of your stitches and the height of your stitches.

Not all knitters stitch the same way. Some of us tend to knit tighter stitches while others have a very loose technique. You cannot guarantee that your knitting is going to match that of a designer, so gauge helps you match the designer’s pattern without having to make any changes to your knitting style.

What is swatching?

Swatching is knitting a small sample using the suggested needle size and yarn weight that your project calls for, and one of the first steps you will do before casting on a project like a garment. You want that piece to fit to the size you are knitting especially if you are putting in the money and time to make sure it will fit. Not every project needs a swatch before starting but getting into the habit of creating a swatch will save you many hours, money and in some cases tears!