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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

Our videos do not have sound. We are a worldwide company and our videos are watched by people speaking endless of different languages and many do not understand English. So since there is not a given language for us to use, we instead have written instructions to accompany the video, and then there is no sound to disturb while watching.

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Country flag Susan wrote:

Hej! Garnet jag vill använda anger en masktäthet på 18 maskor på 10 cm på stickor 5. Jag får en masktäthet på 17,5 maskor på 10 cm på stickor 5. Hur bör jag resonera? Byter till stickor 4 1/2 är det risk för att att det blir för smått. Jag tänker sticka ett mönster med flätor för övrigt. Tacksam för svar!

05.01.2021 - 10:34

DROPS Design :

Hei Susan. Du kan evnt prøve å strikke bittelitt strammer på pinne 5, slik at du får en halv maske mer, altså 18 masker på 10 cm. Men om du bytter til pinne 4,5 og får den oppgitt strikkefastheten skal det ikke bli for smått. mvh DROPS design

11.01.2021 - 13:49

Country flag Maria Fernanda wrote:

Hi, I would know which stitch should I do on crochet to make the Gauge/tension refers on the yarn. I don’t know if I have to measure it with double or single crochet. Thank you

22.11.2020 - 11:06

DROPS Design :

Dear Maria Fernanda, could you please ask your question in the question section of the pattern you are crocheting? This way it will be much easier for us to help you. Thanks for your comprehension.

23.11.2020 - 11:24

Country flag Nicki wrote:

Hi, when you suggest a tension for rib, is the rib stretched or unstretched? e.g. the knit 2 / purl 2 rib in Perles du Nord. DROPS / 180 / 2. Should I use whatever approach you suggest (stretched/ unstretched) on all of your patterns? Many thanks

24.10.2020 - 17:47

DROPS Design :

Dear Nicki, in this pattern the tension is worked in stocking stitch for jumper and hat, and for both needle sizes (even if the needles will be used for rib on hat eg). Happy knititng!

26.10.2020 - 13:27

Country flag Barbara wrote:

I have been knitting for many years. My tension with other brands always matches the tension given on the ball label of these brands. I have used several Drops yarn before but have made my own designs so I have not noticed the tension on the Drops labels as I do my own stitches. I want to make a Drops pattern but am surprised that my tension swatch is so different from the tension on the label. I have knitted my test on single needles not circular. Does this make a difference?

17.10.2020 - 10:38

DROPS Design :

Dear Barbara, tension should be the same with single, circular or double pointed needles - but everyone has a different way of knitting, you can wash and block your swatch first to make sure you get the correct tension - read more about tension here - your DROPS store might have even more tipps for you and will share them with you even per mail or telephone. Happy knitting!

19.10.2020 - 10:45

Country flag Anna wrote:

Can you speek in video? I didn't understand you.

06.04.2020 - 14:11

DROPS Design :

Dear Anna, Our videos do not have sound. We are a worldwide company and our videos are watched by people around the world, speaking different languages, many of whom do not understand English. We have therefore written instructions to accompany this video, and there is no sound to disturb while watching. Enjoy!

09.04.2020 - 18:08

Country flag Matt Arthur wrote:

If a pattern uses multiple needle sizes (for things like ribbing vs the body), do you do the search in the size most used and, if sizes need adjusting, just adjust the other sizes by the same number of mm? I'm getting ready to do my first project where gauge is important. Thanks!

27.02.2020 - 21:07

DROPS Design :

Dear Mr Arthur, the gauge is almost always given with the needle most used in the pattern, so you will have to follow this tension and adjust this needle size if required. Do not hesitate to ask your question on the pattern you want to work so that we can check together and help you further. Happy knitting!

28.02.2020 - 09:39

Country flag Simona wrote:

Gentilissimi. Ho realizzato un campione 10x 10 con filato Big Delight. Anziché avere 15 maglie per 19 ferri ne ho ottenuto 16.5 per 21 ferri. So che il campione va sempre lavato. Specialmente quando si lavora lana. Ma questo campione è già visibilmente piccolo. Come devo procedere? Rifare campione con ferri più grossi e misurare di nuovo? oppure lavare il primo campione e poi rifare il conteggio? Immagino che con lavaggio possa solo rimpicciolirsi...sbaglio? Grazie

04.02.2020 - 14:00

DROPS Design :

Buongiorno Simona. Alcuni filati possono cedere con il lavaggio. Provi a lavare il campione e riverificare le misure. Dovesse essere ancora troppo piccolo, provi con ferri di misura più grande. Buon lavoro!

06.02.2020 - 17:37

Country flag Coraline wrote:

Bonjour , est ce que le point mousse peut être remplacé par le point jersey ou vice versa dans un modèle ? l’echantillon des modèles est toujours basé sur le point jersey ... merci

14.11.2019 - 17:05

DROPS Design :

Bonjour Coraline, si votre tension est juste en jersey, alors vous devriez obtenir les mêmes mesures que dans le schéma en tricotant, à condition de bien conserver la même tension que pour votre échantillon. Toutefois, si un modèle est tricoté au point mousse, le nombre de rangs en hauteur sera différent et si on doit augmenter/diminuer/tricoter des rangs raccourcis ou autre technique particulière, le modèle devra être entièrement recalculé sur le nombre de rangs et le résultat sera donc différent de celui du modèle présenté. Pour toute assistance personnalisée, n'hésitez pas à contacter votre magasin DROPS, même par mail ou téléphone. Bon tricot!

15.11.2019 - 09:17

Country flag Coraline wrote:

Bonjour, je suis en train de faire l’échantillon pour le modèle SIRI boléro . Au lieu de « AIGUILLES n° 5 - pour obtenir un échantillon de 17 m x 33 rangs au point mousse ou 17 m x 22 rangs en jersey = 10 x 10 cm »\r\nMoi après plusieurs essais à 5, 5.5, Je suis rendue aux aiguilles 6 et j’obtiens en jersey 17.5m x 23.5 en jersey et en point mousse je suis beaucoup plus large que mon jersey donc je n’arrive pas à avoir 17 m !!! Je suis découragée !

21.06.2019 - 03:18

DROPS Design :

Bonjour Coraline, on a toutes une façon différente de tricoter, plus ou moins serré, c'est la raison pour laquelle on doit toujours faire son échantillon auparavant. Essayez de nouveau avec des aiguilles d'une demi-taille au-dessous, 5,5 par exemple, lavez et séchez votre échantillon bien à plat, et vérifiez de nouveau vos mesures. Vous pouvez également tenter une technique différente pour les mailles endroit et les mailles envers (cf vidéos du modèle). Votre magasin aura également d'autres astuces pour vous, n'hésitez pas à le contacter, même par mail ou téléphone. Bon tricot!

21.06.2019 - 07:22

Country flag Coraline wrote:

Merci beaucoup pour la réponse rapide !

24.04.2019 - 21:30

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