Knitting a Swatch

You’ve just bought your dream wool for the next project…you’re over the moon, super motivated and eager to start. But wait, haven’t you forgotten something?

Knitting a sample swatch may sound like an unnecessary extra step to some, but it’s the secret of success for your knitting or crochet project. Here we’ll explain why this is so, and what you should look out for.

What is a swatch?

A swatch or tension square is a small test piece that you knit or crochet, enabling you to check whether your number of stitches and rows over 10 centimetres agrees with the gauge information given in the pattern.

Ordinarily, you knit a piece a little larger than 10 cm x 10 cm, using the same stitch as in the pattern for your project. Then you count how many stitches and rows are in that area.

You may ask yourself: “But doesn’t the ball band on my yarn give me information about the gauge?” True, but this is only a guideline, and refers to knitting a piece in stockinette stitch. Each person knits differently - some more tightly or loosely – and this may also affect the result.

So, the gauge provides you with the information that you need to ensure the correct size and fit for your project.

Why should I knit a swatch?

Knitting a swatch may appear a waste of time, but it really is worth it – here are the main reasons why:

1. A good fit: your swatch helps you to make sure that your project actually has the measurements intended when it’s finished. This is absolutely essential for clothing, as even a small variation in the number of stitches can have significant consequences in terms of size.
2. Testing materials: by knitting a swatch you can test the yarn and needles. You may find, perhaps, that you would prefer to use thicker needles or that another yarn would be more pleasing.
3. Avoiding disappointment: there’s nothing more annoying than spending hours on a project only to find that it has become way too big. Swatching saves you this frustration.
4. Yarn selection: would you like to knit your project with an alternative yarn, different to the one recommended in the pattern? A swatch is your most important tool for this! It will help you determine whether the yarn you’ve chosen is suitable, it also allows you to make adjustments and calculate the number of stitches you need to get the right fit.

Tips and tricks for knitting a swatch

1. Knit a generous piece: Always knit your stitch sample a little bigger than 10 cm x 10 cm. Often the stitches at the edge are not representative, as they will tend to be looser or tighter. We recommend a swatch of at least 12 cm x 12 cm.
2. Avoid curling: Knit a few stitches of garter st or rib at the edges – this will prevent the edge from rolling up.
3. Knit at your usual pace: Knit the swatch as you would normally do, at the same speed you would knit your project. If you knit slower or faster it may affect your yarn tension, so the results may be different.
4. Work the correct stitch: Make sure that you knit your swatch in the stitch that is used for the pattern. Good patterns will often tell you exactly how to knit your swatch.
5. Don’t sew in the ends straight away: If you expect to have just enough yarn for your project, don’t sew in the ends of your swatch immediately – in case you find that you need that yarn later for your project.
6. Blocking and care of your swatch: Wash, block and care for your swatch in exactly the same way you would the finished project. This is the only way to get a true representation – many yarns alter when they are washed and stretched.
7. Adjust the needle size: Perhaps you’ll find that your swatch does not agree with the pattern information. If you have too many stitches per 10 cm, try thicker needles. If you have too few stitches, use thinner needles.

In conclusion

Ultimately, knitting a test swatch saves time and ensures that you can enjoy a piece that fits perfectly. This step is particularly crucial when it comes to garments or complex patterns. So get your yarn and needles – swatching is the first step towards your favourite new piece!