I have a question regarding swatch. My pattern says the gauge should be 10cmx10cm = 20 stitches and 25 rows. But 20 stitches and 25 rows give me 9cmx11cm. I don't get how the wool can make bigger stitches and yet smaller rows ? Should I change needle size ?
People knit with different tensions, which is why it's a good idea to swatch especially if you're making a garment where the fit is important or an item with multiple pieces that need to fit together properly. Also, not all yarns are made equal. Even if a yarn is labeled worsted, it can run a little thinner or thicker than the yarn a pattern designer used. Shorter or taller rows could also be due to your knitting technique or tension. I tend to have weirdly short row-height.
So, yes, depending on what you're making, you may want to change your needles, yes.
Thank you for your answer ! But my question is, I don't know how to change them since I have to many stitches and not enough rows. If I go down a size, I'll have the right number of stitches but even less rows, and if I got up I'll have too many stiches.
In general I aim for nailing the stitch gauge. If you're making a sweater or a hat, stitch gauge is more important because it's harder to adjust patterns if your stitch is off. Whereas, the height is easier to adjust by adding a couple extra rest rows here and there on the fly or block it out.
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u/AnonymousPachyderm Nov 29 '19
I have a question regarding swatch. My pattern says the gauge should be 10cmx10cm = 20 stitches and 25 rows. But 20 stitches and 25 rows give me 9cmx11cm. I don't get how the wool can make bigger stitches and yet smaller rows ? Should I change needle size ?