Beginner Knitter Learnings: Gauge & Gauge Swatching

[@jfigs5359]

Thank you for this video. I’m a naturally tight knitter and I always struggle with getting gauge on garment. The struggle is real! I appreciate someone else saying it out loud.

[@easilyknitfluenced]

You are so welcome! I very rarely hit gauge with my swatch, so I feel your pain!

[@QueensYarnBoutique]

Gauge can be so difficult to understand. Thanks for sharing what you have learned.

[@easilyknitfluenced]

It’s so hard. I feel like my search for gauge is more of an aspirational thing most of the time 😂 I’m more shocked when I do meet gauge than when I don’t

[@kimeikoraevision5446]

Thanks, cousin! Keep up the great work!

[@easilyknitfluenced]

Thanks! Will do!

[@cathynewkirk6807]

This was a really well-done and helpful video. I swatched for the Mini Mock Neck Tank and I’m two stitches off. I’m tempted to go up a size, but I’ve heard some podcasters say that the armhole can be really deep. A larger size might result in that. So I guess I’ll be adjusting as I go! Thank goodness it’s just a tank and not a cabled sweater!

[@easilyknitfluenced]

Yes, I’ve had very mixed results with just switching the size - the relationship between gauge and the sizing clearly isn’t simply linear 😅 good luck! I hope trying as you go works out

[@Adrian13rams]

I actually love gauge swatching. If you knit up a swatch, and you love the density of fabric and how it feels, but its not exact to the designer requirements, that can be how you customize it to your tastes. Just need to do some math to go down the pattern to make sure the portions are correct. I see gauging is a step of personal design ❤❤

[@easilyknitfluenced]

I totally agree!

[@fionamacdonald4106]

Im enjoying your videos and seeing some of the lovely garments you are making. Thanks for your learnings about gauge. It was interesting to hear your thoughts and ideas about what works and what doesn’t. I was thinking about the garment you knitted a size up and that turned out too big at a gauge that should have worked. In my experience sizing up or down can work but doesnt always and can depend on a number of pattern related factors such as shoulder fit, upper bust measurement. I have found Libby Jonson (an NZ woman) who is Truly Myrtle on KZbin is great on helping knitters make garments that fit. She has heaps of knowledge and seems to think along similar line to the way you do. She does free videos and has a subscription programme Wardrobe Toolbox. Both I have found very helpful. You might want to check her out. Anyway just a thought. Keep doing your inspirational knitting. 😊

[@easilyknitfluenced]

Thank you so much for watching! I’ll check her out. I think I assumed a linear relationship between the sizing and the gauge, which was clearly incorrect 😅 no big deal and lesson learned, until the next time I make a cable project and get bizarre, unintended results!

[@ordinarypossum]

Loving your channel! I’ve just gotten started knitting and am working on a hat 😊 would love more what-youve-learned videos, esp if they can help me learn to make a garment! it is my dream to knit a fancy t-shirt ^_^ thanks for posting !

[@easilyknitfluenced]

Ohh I’d love to be experienced enough to make a tutorial for a garment! One day 😁😁

[@Practically_Inspired]

I’m having this exact gauge dilemma right now with Purl Soho Cattail Silk. It is the yarn called for by the pattern, but I want a less sheer fabric than I would get using the pattern gauge. I think I am going to use a smaller needle and knit a larger size to get the fabric I want. It’s a bottom up pattern too 😢

[@easilyknitfluenced]

Oof that’s a tough one; silk is so unforgiving for any differences in gauge…no fluff to hide any adjustments. Is the yarn nice to work with otherwise? that’s one of theirs I’ve never tried before.

[@Practically_Inspired]

@@easilyknitfluenced The yarn is super nice and machine washable. It does not have any “give” though, so some people find that difficult to work with. I don’t get enough knitting time for that to be a big problem for me. It’s a VERY light fingering weight, much lighter than their Santolina yarn. The color I got is very dark with tweedy bits- it will be hard to see my mistakes 🤣

[@janinenankervis3290]

Can I refer you to Canadian knitter teacher Roxanne Richardson, she is extremely helpful. She is on KZbin.

[@easilyknitfluenced]

Thank you! I will check her out