How to measure the knitting tension and how to calculate a pattern.
This description can be used for both knitting and crocheting.
This is how we calculate a pattern from the knitting tension:
Always check the size chart to find the size you need.
See here for a lesson on how to read our size charts.
Calculation:
The pattern is calculated so that the measurements given in the chart will be the measurements of the finished garment.
For this calculation we need the knitting tension, and then the process is as follows:
If 10 cm in width = 20 stitches in width,
then 1 cm in width is (20/10) = 2 stitches.
If the width of the body is 48 cm, then we need
48 cm x 2 stitches = 96 stitches.
Consequences:
If you get 22 stitches on 10 cm instead of 20 stitches, your garment will be 5 cm narrower than the measurements in the diagram.
All stitch counts in the pattern are calculated from the given knitting tension and this affects everything: e.g. the shaping of the neck – the increases on sleeves – the cast-on edge - raglan etc.
So you need to change the size of the needle :)
Knitting tension and gauge swatch:
Gauge swatch:
To make sure the measurements on your garment = the measurements in the pattern, you should always start by working a swatch – to arrive at the correct knitting tension.
Cast on more stitches than the knitting tension states for 10 cm in width and work slightly more than 10 cm in height, starting with the suggested needle size.
If the knitting tension is:
20 stitches in width and 27 rows in height with stocking stitch = 10 x 10 cm.
Lay a tape measure on the piece and count the stitches:
20 stitches = 10 cm in width and 27 rows in height = 10 cm.
Result / consequence:
More than 20 stitches – change to a larger needle size
Less than 20 stitches – change to a smaller needle size.
When you have found the correct needle size, you are ready to start.
Remember to check the knitting tension as you go; it can vary as you work through the garment.
Right or wrong needle size:
Needle size:
There is no correct needle size; everyone’s knitting is different.
The given needle size is only a guide.
Find the needle size to get the correct knitting tension – if you need to use needle size 6 mm, when the pattern suggests needle size 4 mm, then do so.
Our own design team uses different needles sizes when knitting with the same yarn. This is very common.
Types of needles:
This is very individual.
There are needles made of wood, bamboo, metal, plastic, as well as other materials.
One finds their favourite, and it’s normal to use a different knitting tension when using different types of needles (circular, double pointed, etc.).
So if it doesn’t work when you try a knitting tension with – for instance - metal needles, try another material, like birch, and see if it works better for you.
Comments (67)
Lydia Salvenmoser
03.08.2021 - 16:27:
Hallo, ich hätte eine Frage. Was muss ich beachten, wenn ich diese Jacke in krausrippe stricken und anschließend filzen möchte?! Wie werden hierbei die Maschen berechnet, damit das Strickwerk dann auch passt und nicht zu klein ist. Vielen Dank für eine Rückmeldung.
DROPS Design
04.08.2021 - 08:11:
Olivia Dell
25.07.2021 - 22:32:
Do I need to wash my swatch/gauge before measuring?
DROPS Design
26.07.2021 - 09:41:
Gudrun Kuhn
25.07.2021 - 17:28:
Auf die Frage v. Christiane Singer-Seger v. 5.5.21 haben Sie bei Ihrer Erklärung, wann man größere oder kleinere Nadeln verwenden muss, in beiden Fällen geschrieben: "... daß Ihre Maschen zu KLEIN sind ..." Dies kann m.E. nicht stimmen. In welchem Fall muss es heißen "... dass die Maschen zu GROSS sind ..."? Herzlichen Dank für Ihre Antwort!
DROPS Design
26.07.2021 - 09:44:
Beth
24.07.2021 - 07:13:
Do I have to swatch in the round for gauge, if the pattern is in the round?
DROPS Design
26.07.2021 - 09:45:
ROXANA MARGOT BELTRAN FONSECA
01.07.2021 - 07:32:
Hola, no he podido encontrar la medida correcta de tensión, no se si es el grosor de mi lana, estoy usando un hilo muy fino, el cual eh juntado de 3, probé con la ajuja sugerida y me salen de 5 a 6 puntos más, cambie de número de aguja, un número más, y que queda muy flojo. No se como llegar a la medida correcta, igual no he podido dar la sincuferencia perfecta, crese de repente provocando vuelo en el tejido
DROPS Design
14.07.2021 - 23:50:
Céline
29.06.2021 - 02:50:
Bonjour, doit-on laver et bloquer l’échantillon pour mesurer? Merci.
DROPS Design
29.06.2021 - 09:32:
Valeska
29.05.2021 - 20:38:
Otimas explicações, muito aproveitáveis 😘
Maria Del Mar
29.05.2021 - 02:29:
Cuantos puntos para bebe 6 m. Caqeta empezada por el cuello
DROPS Design
30.05.2021 - 20:14:
Christine Amelung
21.05.2021 - 14:26:
Hallo, ich möchte die Creamy Spring Jacket stricken. Angegeben ist die Maschenprobe mit Nd. Nr. 9 10 M + 14 R = 10x10 cm , ich habe eine Probe gestrickt (Nd. Nr.8) 11M + 17R=10x10 cm . Habe die Original Wolle Drops Alpaca Boucle´. Bin ein bischen ratlos. Ich hoffe, Sie geben mir schnell einen passenden Tip. Vielen Dank
DROPS Design
21.05.2021 - 16:03:
Soledad
19.05.2021 - 13:18:
Hola como están ? Me encanta este patrón, puedo tejerlo con agujas rectas ? Gracias .
DROPS Design
30.05.2021 - 20:18:
Marieke Cools
15.05.2021 - 11:06:
Hoe kan ik te weten komen welke maat ik nodig heb....
DROPS Design
26.05.2021 - 15:16:
Dag Marieke,
Om je maat te bepalen kun je het beste een kledingstuk nemen die goed zit en de maten uit de tekening van een patroon hiermee vergelijken.
Merethe Andersen
13.05.2021 - 16:29:
Opskrift 214-73 er patentstrikket. Er jeres strikkefasthed opgivet i patentstrik eller glatstrikning?
DROPS Design
19.05.2021 - 08:19:
Marianna
08.05.2021 - 12:16:
When checking tension what adjustment has to be made if the no of stitches is correct i.e measures 10cm but the length is too short i.e 6.5 cm when it should be 10cm? Thank you.
DROPS Design
10.05.2021 - 11:37:
Ann
06.05.2021 - 10:19:
Strikkefastheden skal måle 12mx14p men min måler 12mx16p altså 2 pinde for meget. Hvad betyder det i forhold til udtagninger til raglan? Bærestykket skal måle 26cm i højden, skal jeg så strikke 2 pinde ekstra pr. 10cm altså 5 pinde ekstra for at nå højden på bærestykket og hvad så med raglan udtagningen?
Christiane Singer-Seger
05.05.2021 - 21:03:
Ich verstehe nicht, warum man bei der Maschenprobe : 20 M u nd 10 cm., wenn man mehr cm hat, warum soll man dann dickere Nadeln nehmen? Wird es dann nicht noch grösser? Und im Gegensatz noch kleiner oder fester ?
DROPS Design
06.05.2021 - 07:58:
Radhika Khan
05.05.2021 - 13:14:
I would like to to know the yarn to use, as in India we get 0 to 6 no yarns, ans I don’t understand the yarn thickness you have used, could you please clarify, pl note in india we follow the English system of yarn thickness, which is 1 ply the thinnest or lace yarn , I normally use either 3 ply or 4 ply yarn 5 & 6 becomes too thick or like double knit yarn.
Manuela
06.04.2021 - 12:26:
Ich habe immer wieder das Problem, dass meine Reihenanzahl mehr ist. Bei Mustern oder Rundpasse ist es ein Problem. LG Manuela
DROPS Design
07.04.2021 - 10:11:
Madeleine Bååk
25.03.2021 - 19:57:
...thank you this is well explained. Its just the old English teacher in me who worries that you have dropped an "o" in "to big" which should be "too big" in third paragraph third line that is if you mean larger than desired (too) as opposed to in movement towards "to" in the context.
Estelle PIERRE
14.03.2021 - 12:32:
Bonjour, Pour le pull inner circle 196-23, l'échantillon requis est de 21 mailles en largeur et 28 rang en hauteur. En le tricotant le jacquard jesuis à 29mailles en largeur mais seulement 21 rangs, mais pour le corps je suis dans les mesures. Je ne comprend pas comment je me retrouve avec plus de mailles en largeur mais pas assez en hauteur. Comment puis-je ajuster ? est-ce une question de taille d'aiguille ou de tension ? Merci beaucoup !
DROPS Design
15.03.2021 - 10:15:
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