A little detail called gauge entered my carefree, scarf-knitting world this week. Up until now, I’ve blissfully skipped over the pages in the the knitting book that talk about 4 x 4 squares that all good knitters religiously create before beginning a project.
Fortunately, I decided to knit my first ever swatch before starting my first ever sweater. My reaction when my square measured 13 1/2 cm and it was supposed to be 10 cm? Disbelief. I’m using the same yarn, the correct needles. I didn’t really even need to do a swatch! I double checked everything. Re-measured the swatch at least 5 times. Made yet another note to pick up some reading glasses at the drugstore. I dropped from 3 3/4 mm needles down to 3 1/4 mm. Oh boy, now I’m at 12 1/2 cm x 12 1/2 cm. Drats.
Not having smaller needles on hand (and coming to terms with the fact that wasn’t my problem) I headed over to Churchmouse to see if they could explain my dilemma. They obviously see this type of thing everyday. There’s a defined drill. Are you a picker or a thrower? I didn’t know (eyebrows raise). Knit for me. Yes, you’re a picker, hmmm. OK, Purl for me. Hmmm. Let me see your swatches again. Hand rubs over the back, hmmm. “;lkjdf lkjfdlkj amkme lkjxji” (knitter conversation between store employees discussing the patient). The Continental expert was called in to make my fingers do something different than they’ve done for the past two years.
15 minutes later after practicing my new found picking skills I felt confident enough to leave the store. Why is it when the person at the store grabs your needles and demonstrates the stitch it looks so easy?! I was terrified that I’d forget what I’d learned as soon as I stepped out the door. I went home and immediately started on a new swatch.
My new swatch measured 10 cm x 10 cm. Yippee. I cast on and started dreaming how I’d look just like the model in my new Martha.
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I’m headed out for a few days. I’ll be checking e-mail for business related stuff but nothing else. I want to see all those scarves when I get back!
guage scares me. I usually skip over that section too, but maybe i need to start paying more attention…hmmm….
Guage…*sigh* lol Have a good trip!!!
I may have to visit your yarn store before I attempt another sweater since my last effort was less than successful.
Hey, I just started my first sweater also! My swatch was right on gauge, but I can tell my mood is effecting how tightly I knit. There doesn’t seem to be any consistency…
I always knit a swatch, but it’s almost always OK. I don’t quite understood what you did wrong the first few times? What’s a picker and what’s a thrower? Have fun knitting and a wonderful weekend!
gauge is a thing i started doing when the first project TOTALLY went wrong. all things before were done without taking care of gauge, but now i knit those funny squares. sometimes one just learns it the hard way.
love the jacket you chose – hope you have much fun knitting and that we’ll soon see your beautiful result! ^-^
oh, if only I had more time for learning knitting…another day. But interesting story, even to a non-knitter!
I still haven’t learned to knit, but I will one day! In the meantime, have a Happy, Happy Thanksgiving!
hi,
are this glitter yarns? it’s beautiful. rich in color
woo hoo — happy knitting!
So, what exactly is she having you do differently? I’m so curious!!! Presently, I have a beanie cap/skull cap for my son and it looks likes it’s going to be huge! *sigh*
Are you saying you’re basically switching from knitting English to knitting continental? I was led to believe it’s like forcing a lefty to become a righty.
Yay for knitting a sweater and getting gauge! I’m happy the Churchmouse peeps were so smart about your gauge problem.
I never do the gauge thing either… but then, when making a simple scarf or afghan, I never cared.
I, too, find it hard to watch someone else do it… they make it look so easy!
Have a good trip~~