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How to make a gauge tension swatch

Video thumbnail for How to make a gauge tension swatch
In this DROPS video we show how to knit a swatch to meausure gauge/tension.

Gauge/tension refers to the number of stitches in width and number of rows in height. This depends on which stitches used, what yarn, the needles/hook size and your own tension (i.e. how much yarn you allow between stitches).

The gauge can be adjusted to fit recommended gauge in a pattern by changing needle size. Larger needles produce a smaller gauge (fewer stitches per inch) and smaller needles produce a larger gauge (more stitches per inch).

Rib and cables pull in, giving more stitches per width than stockinette, garter or seed stitch. And garter or seed stitch have more rows per inch than stockinette.

Thicker yarns produce larger stitches (reducing the number of stitches per width and height).

Your gauge can also vary within a single garment (typically for beginners) and when you become more familiar with a pattern, you become more relaxed and make the stitch differently, producing a different gauge.

It's very important to check your gauge before starting a project to get the correct measures of the garment. A sample square (a swatch) is made in the stitch pattern and yarn used in the design. The swatch edges affect the reading of the gauge, so it's best that the swatch be at least 15x15 cm/ 6"x6" square. Swatching also makes you used to the stitch pattern, which will help you to a more even gauge in the final garment.

Patterns using this technique

DROPS 252-11

DROPS 252-11
DROPS 221-48

DROPS 221-48
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Video #108, listed in: Other techniques, Extra Tips

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Country flag Iris Down wrote:

Thank you for your reply sorry I should have said my swatch is stocking stitch. I hope you will do a test swatch as I am sure 24 stitches is wrong. I know there have not been any reported issues with the tension for Flora I did an extensive search before I contacted you. This yarn is very thin and it seems to me logical that as a consequence there will be more stitches to the inch. I have just knitted vintage Wendy 4 ply much thicker wool and that was 6 stitches to the inch stocking stitch.

10.06.2024 - 00:43

DROPS Design :

Dear Mrs Down, 24 sts is the tension quite common for DROPS Flora, we also have some patterns with 26 sts for 10 cm for this yarn, read more here if you rather get pattern with a tighter texture, you can look at this selection. Happy knitting!

11.06.2024 - 08:39

Country flag Iris Down wrote:

Regarding your reply which does not help me. I know what your stated tension is, I used 3 mm needles. The point I was making was that using 3mm needles my gauge came out to 29 sts so your gauge cannot possibly be correct at 24. There is no way my knitting would vary so much as to give a 5 stitch difference. Going up one or even two needle sizes will not get it to 24. Also suggesting I knit looser does not help, How can I possibly maintain that? I need you to actually check the gauge.

09.06.2024 - 21:16

DROPS Design :

Dear Iris, please state which pattern number or stitch pattern you are working, since the stitch pattern used in the gauge is relevant for the gauge obtained. For example, the gauge in stocking stitch, garter stitch or rib stitch will be different. This way, we can check whether the pattern's gauge is different than the one indicated in the yarn. As far as we know, the gauge indicated in the yarn is correct and we have had no issues with it before. Happy knitting!

09.06.2024 - 23:42

Country flag Iris Down wrote:

I have just done a tension swatch for Flora on 3mm needles which is supposed to be 24 stitches to 10cm. Mine has come out to 29! I know all the reasons for slight variations but this is so way out I am asking whether 24 stitches is incorrect? To get it to 24 I would have to go up far too many needle sizes.

08.06.2024 - 10:01

DROPS Design :

Dear Iris, the general gauge for DROPS Flora is as indicated in this page: https://www.garnstudio.com/yarn.php?show=drops-flora&cid=19, 10 x 10 cm = 24 sts x 32 rows. This is calculated with 3mm needles. To get 24 you could go up 1 size and try; you could also try to use the same needle but work slightly more loosely. Also, check the pattern you are working; there will always be a gauge indicated at the top of the pattern and this may be different from the general one because of the stitch-pattern or looseness of the piece needed. Happy knitting!

09.06.2024 - 19:46

Country flag Christiane wrote:

Ich habe die Nadelstärke verändert, sodass die Maschenprobe exakt war. Jetzt, nach ungefähr 10 cm Höhe bei dem Pullover, den ich stricken möchte, stelle ich fest, daß das Bündchen zu dehnbar und damit zu breit ist ( 2 links-2 rechts ) 😩 Wie ärgerlich!

18.02.2024 - 19:14

Country flag Sylvaine wrote:

Bonjour, Les échantillons que vous proposez dans vos modèles sont-ils des échantillons avant ou après blocages (lavage)? Merci de votre réponse

11.02.2024 - 16:23

Country flag Sylvaine wrote:

Bonjour, Les échantillons que vous proposez dans les modèles sont-ils des échantillons avant ou après blocage (lavage) ? Merci de votre réponse

11.02.2024 - 16:20

DROPS Design :

Bonjour Sylvaine, nous ne bloquons pas, mais à vous de voir si vous pensez avoir une différence avant/après si vous préférez le faire ou pas. Bon tricot!

12.02.2024 - 09:35

Country flag Hera wrote:

Does the gauge swatch include the blocking?

11.01.2024 - 18:07

DROPS Design :

Dear Hera, we never block, but if you see, you might have a difference before/after, then you can block. Happy knitting!

12.01.2024 - 08:22

Country flag Florence wrote:

Sur les patrons de tricot, il est toujours indiqué de faire un échantillon 10x10 correspondant à X mailles et x rangs. Par contre, il n’est pas indiqué quel numéro d’aiguille prendre, sachant que pour réaliser un pull il faut utiliser des aiguilles 4 et 5. J’imagine que l’aiguille numéro 5 doit servir à tricoter les plus larges parties et donc qu’il faut prendre l’aiguille Numero 5 pour réaliser l’échantillon. Correct ?

15.12.2022 - 10:55

DROPS Design :

Bonjour Florence, la plupart du temps c'est effectivement sur les aiguilles les plus grosses que l'on va tricoter l'échantillon, en cas de doute, n'hésitez pas à poser votre question dans la rubrique du même nom du modèle choisi, nous pourrons alors vérifier ensemble. Bon tricot!

15.12.2022 - 14:20

Country flag Lieve wrote:

Goeiemiddag, Voor het proeflapje voor patroon 236/26, wordt naald 5 aangeraden. Daar ik maar aan 8 cm kom heb ik de naalddikte reeds verlaagd naar 3,5 maar geraak niet verder dan 9 cm. Hoe los ik dit op ? Groetjes

23.10.2022 - 13:18

DROPS Design :

Dag Lieve,

Als je proeflapje kleiner is, dan heb je een grotere naald nodig. Dus als je met naald 5 mm 10 steken op 8 cm hebt, probeer dan eens met naald 5,5 of 6.

26.10.2022 - 19:32

Country flag Nina Tri wrote:

Hallo liebes Drops-Team,\r\n\r\nbeziehen sich die Maschenprobe und letztendlich auch die Längenangaben in Anleitungen (z.B. nach 15cm nehmen Sie 10M ab) auf das ungewaschene und ungespannte Strickstück oder sind es Maße nach dem Spannen?\r\n\r\nDanke für die tollen Anleitungen.

26.09.2022 - 20:39

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