I am definitely in the "it depends" camp. I used to never swatch. I was knitting mostly shawls and size doesn't really matter (to me). But then I started branching out and playing with color and other knitted items and now I swatch if I want to see how two yarns or colors work together or it's a new to me yarn (like linen) or if it has a funny texture (bumpy yarns in particular annoy me), because I want to get a sense of how it knits up before putting a lot of effort into a project. For these, I just cast on 20-30 stitches and knit until I'm satisfied that I know what I'm getting myself into (or decide this isn't working). The other reason I will swatch is if I'm knitting something that needs to fit such as a vest or sweater, in which case I will very carefully make a proper swatch because knitting something that doesn't fit and needs to be redone is not fun.
I knit a lot of sweaters and I swatch for those. When I get a new yarn and I want to see what it does, I swatch. That’s for fun though. Hats, cowls, mitts, etc? Unless it’s a crazy yarn, I don’t swatch. I’m partial to Ysolda’s top down hat pattern that lets you count the gauge during the knitting.
Also, EZ was a genius. I have her quote “knit on, with confidence and faith, through all crises.” On my wall and I follow it daily. (I live in the US. It’s a horror show, and I’m sorry for all of it. No, of course I didn’t vote for him, but many did.)
I'm sorry. You are correct. I shouldn't "police" comments on your site. I was enjoying the comments and got triggered by the comment about the US being a "horror show". I actually agree with the poster, though probably for different reasons. I should have just ignored and continued reading. Sincerest apologies, Terianne
Rarely swatch - only if I am using a yarn for the first time if it is for eg a jumper. I knit lots of scarves/blankets/shawls which obviously don't need to be exact.
garments for sure. I am getting more comfortable knitting socks so I somewhat know what is going to fit. If it is toe up with a pattern I will check my gauge to confirm that I am aligned with the designer.
I swatch for jumpers but 90% of the time I need to go down a needle size and I know this and expect this so it makes me cross I’ve wasted time swatching. The other 10% I need to go down a needle and a half. I like the idea of knitting a sleeve first but my current jumper hasn’t made its mind up how long the sleeves will be, it wants to see how much yarn is left after knitting the body. ( I’m using stash and the yarn has very sadly been discontinued- drops alpaca silk - just beautiful to work with and wear).
I’ve never swatched anything because I know I tend to knit a bit loose, and so if I’m making something for a child…they’ll grow into it. If I’m making something for myself, I don’t want a negative ease fit anyway. It’s worked so far!
I swatch when I'm using a pattern from a new (to me) designer, when it's a yarn I've not knit with before, and for garments, even unfitted garments. I'm usually more interested in row gauge since I've discovered my row gauge is very dependent on the material of my needles.
Louise… I get ALMOST Giddy when I see You and Your Faithful Followers here in Washington State on the Pacific Ocean…Love the topic of discussion today in particular…. As my last name is Zimmerman ( no relation )… if I do someday try another sweater at a Happy age 75…( not holding my breathe… as I am returning to crocheting, and some slow stitching which I seem to need to shake my day up a bit) I will adhere to EZ’s well taken suggestion…. But what I love MOST is reading and learning from the 22 comments before and after mine… “Love that You came CLEAN with Us”…. (do You use that phrasing in the UK?….A Girl has to have a few secrets!!
I’m always surprised at how much people online gloss over their perceived shortcomings or mistakes though. I think we all love to read about those times when things didn’t quite go to plan. It’s all part of the human experience isn’t it.
I very rarely swatch, when I started knitting with UK patterns and UK standard weight yarns my sizing was usually spot on so I never swatched. I must admit I struggle with some patterns where the gauge is nowhere
near that suggested by the yarn manufacturer, for example a standard DK yarn knitted on 4mm needles is supposed to give a gauge similar to what you’d expect for an aran weight yarn.
If I'm using a new to me yarn or if I'm making a cardigan or jumper then I do swatch. Although typing this reminded me that I didn't swatch when using two yarns held together for a hat. I just cast on, knit a few rows and tried it on my head. I never get stitch gauge and usually have to go down 2 sizes but row gauge never ever works for me.
I dont normally swatch but having had a cardigan disaster recently (miles too bog) I did swatch and wash and block for a waistcoat. It turned out miles too small, so hey? what's a person to do?
Almost never. It's boring and to me, it feels like a waste of yarn. On the rare occasion when I make a sweater, I might knit one. But even then I usually undo it so I can use the yarn, which of course means I never block it.
Never, had to once when I was taking a knitting course!
Can understand why some would do it, but personally find it boring! Think that’s why I never done a squares blanket. But thinking about it now small squares would be fun to do just when I want to use my hands and not think.
I had a feeling the Knitting Police were real and not a figment of my imagination!! 😝
I am definitely in the "it depends" camp. I used to never swatch. I was knitting mostly shawls and size doesn't really matter (to me). But then I started branching out and playing with color and other knitted items and now I swatch if I want to see how two yarns or colors work together or it's a new to me yarn (like linen) or if it has a funny texture (bumpy yarns in particular annoy me), because I want to get a sense of how it knits up before putting a lot of effort into a project. For these, I just cast on 20-30 stitches and knit until I'm satisfied that I know what I'm getting myself into (or decide this isn't working). The other reason I will swatch is if I'm knitting something that needs to fit such as a vest or sweater, in which case I will very carefully make a proper swatch because knitting something that doesn't fit and needs to be redone is not fun.
I totally understand that. For a garter stitch shawl it barely matters - as long as you get a drape that you like.
I agree, for colourwork and more complex projects time spent swatching will pay dividends.
I knit a lot of sweaters and I swatch for those. When I get a new yarn and I want to see what it does, I swatch. That’s for fun though. Hats, cowls, mitts, etc? Unless it’s a crazy yarn, I don’t swatch. I’m partial to Ysolda’s top down hat pattern that lets you count the gauge during the knitting.
Also, EZ was a genius. I have her quote “knit on, with confidence and faith, through all crises.” On my wall and I follow it daily. (I live in the US. It’s a horror show, and I’m sorry for all of it. No, of course I didn’t vote for him, but many did.)
Please keep politics out of the conversation.
You are welcome to police conversations on your own posts - not on mine.
I'm sorry. You are correct. I shouldn't "police" comments on your site. I was enjoying the comments and got triggered by the comment about the US being a "horror show". I actually agree with the poster, though probably for different reasons. I should have just ignored and continued reading. Sincerest apologies, Terianne
No worries. I’m in the UK but can appreciate how fraught things are in the US right now xx
Rarely swatch - only if I am using a yarn for the first time if it is for eg a jumper. I knit lots of scarves/blankets/shawls which obviously don't need to be exact.
I don’t swatch if I know all the inputs or size doesn’t matter. I always make a large swatch and wet block it.
I’m writing an article that needs both unblocked and blocked swatches. The data is very interesting.
garments for sure. I am getting more comfortable knitting socks so I somewhat know what is going to fit. If it is toe up with a pattern I will check my gauge to confirm that I am aligned with the designer.
I swatch for jumpers but 90% of the time I need to go down a needle size and I know this and expect this so it makes me cross I’ve wasted time swatching. The other 10% I need to go down a needle and a half. I like the idea of knitting a sleeve first but my current jumper hasn’t made its mind up how long the sleeves will be, it wants to see how much yarn is left after knitting the body. ( I’m using stash and the yarn has very sadly been discontinued- drops alpaca silk - just beautiful to work with and wear).
I’ve never swatched anything because I know I tend to knit a bit loose, and so if I’m making something for a child…they’ll grow into it. If I’m making something for myself, I don’t want a negative ease fit anyway. It’s worked so far!
Oh and I should add that Patty Lyons teaches a class on making your gauge work regardless of the pattern's gauge. It was magic but involved math. LOL
I can handle math - might need to find that class. :)
I swatch when I'm using a pattern from a new (to me) designer, when it's a yarn I've not knit with before, and for garments, even unfitted garments. I'm usually more interested in row gauge since I've discovered my row gauge is very dependent on the material of my needles.
Louise… I get ALMOST Giddy when I see You and Your Faithful Followers here in Washington State on the Pacific Ocean…Love the topic of discussion today in particular…. As my last name is Zimmerman ( no relation )… if I do someday try another sweater at a Happy age 75…( not holding my breathe… as I am returning to crocheting, and some slow stitching which I seem to need to shake my day up a bit) I will adhere to EZ’s well taken suggestion…. But what I love MOST is reading and learning from the 22 comments before and after mine… “Love that You came CLEAN with Us”…. (do You use that phrasing in the UK?….A Girl has to have a few secrets!!
Oh yes, we use ‘come clean’ as a saying.
I’m always surprised at how much people online gloss over their perceived shortcomings or mistakes though. I think we all love to read about those times when things didn’t quite go to plan. It’s all part of the human experience isn’t it.
I very rarely swatch, when I started knitting with UK patterns and UK standard weight yarns my sizing was usually spot on so I never swatched. I must admit I struggle with some patterns where the gauge is nowhere
near that suggested by the yarn manufacturer, for example a standard DK yarn knitted on 4mm needles is supposed to give a gauge similar to what you’d expect for an aran weight yarn.
If I'm using a new to me yarn or if I'm making a cardigan or jumper then I do swatch. Although typing this reminded me that I didn't swatch when using two yarns held together for a hat. I just cast on, knit a few rows and tried it on my head. I never get stitch gauge and usually have to go down 2 sizes but row gauge never ever works for me.
I dont normally swatch but having had a cardigan disaster recently (miles too bog) I did swatch and wash and block for a waistcoat. It turned out miles too small, so hey? what's a person to do?
Sometimes weighting your swatch and hanging it helps with row gauge. Idk, I really think the knitting fates like to play their tricks.
I confess, I don't swatch. Don't call the knitting police@
Almost never. It's boring and to me, it feels like a waste of yarn. On the rare occasion when I make a sweater, I might knit one. But even then I usually undo it so I can use the yarn, which of course means I never block it.
Swatch!!
Never, had to once when I was taking a knitting course!
Can understand why some would do it, but personally find it boring! Think that’s why I never done a squares blanket. But thinking about it now small squares would be fun to do just when I want to use my hands and not think.
I had a feeling the Knitting Police were real and not a figment of my imagination!! 😝
Knitting Police here. Your fine is one ill- fitting sweater.
So very true 😂