COZY VLOG: Knitting a GAUGE SWATCH in the ROUND

The FFTP Voice Over Vlogs are short, calming, and cozy vlogs featuring bits and pieces of my day(s) as a knitter, dyer, mother, and creative-in-general. No "talking head" videos here. Just a mellow, soothing aesthetic and lovely sounds--a perfect accoutrement to your "me-time".
Today I'm sharing a bit of my method for making a gauge swatch in the round. Please note, this is not a scientific or precise method for determining gauge. It is simply a reference point and a place I am happy to begin with most projects. This video is not intended to instruct.
Enjoy.
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VLOG Notes:
VLOG Notes:
The yarn I'm using for my future Chloe Sweater is the Fiber for the People® Hemp Merino Sport in the Mojave Collection colorways.
Sweater Pattern:
www.ravelry.com/patterns/libr...
Fiber for the People® 'Mojave Collection':
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Filming GEAR:
//Main VLOG Camera: Canon 5D Mark iv
//Main VLOG Lens: Sigma 50mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art
//Main Podcast Camera: Canon EOS R6
//Main Podcast Lens: Sigma 20mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art
//Secondary VLOG Lens: Canon 24-70 f2.8 EF-L ii
Edited and color graded using Final Cut Pro X
Still images edited using Lightroom
Voice Over Mic: Blue Yeti X
Pop Filter: Auphonix
Music from www.epidemicsound.com

[@Myah_W]

I love the music used and this video format!

[@jessiepayeur473]

I was today years old when I learned about swatching in the round! For years I've been making little gauge tubes >.

[@WOOLNEEDLESHANDS]

Well then I’m so happy that I shared this! No more tubes! 😉. Thank you for watching. ❤️

[@cynthiareagan6069]

This is so helpful

[@mimimustknit]

When I knit swatches for “in the round” like you, I knit the first and last stitch through the back loop. It makes a MUCH neater edge.

[@WOOLNEEDLESHANDS]

This is GREAT advice. Thank you. I never even considered that. ❤️

[@dianepothier7785]

Ice just found your blog and I can’t tell you how much more sense your method makes to me. I’ve knit for many years but never a garment. I finally want to jump in but am so worried about picking my size as I’m short but not a small woman. Is it possible for you to do a 2.0 version of this video and continue talking about finding the correct size for you after you have your gage; pattern bust size, amount of ease and the adjustment for your stitch per inch swatch? It would be so appreciated and I think it would help many new knitters to garments. Thank you in advance. Diane

[@WOOLNEEDLESHANDS]

Thank you so much for watching Diane. I’m so glad this provided some insight for you. I would be happy to do another installment on this topic. I’m going to take some notes so I can more clearly communicate my process in more detail. Like I mention here, it’s not precise, but for those of us knitting garments that aren’t intended to fit precisely, it works pretty well. ❤️

[@ginasoileau5312]

@@WOOLNEEDLESHANDS yes! This is exactly what I was going to hop on and ask! Thank you so much!

[@WOOLNEEDLESHANDS]

@@ginasoileau5312 My pleasure Gina! Thank you for watching. ❤️

[@karicastelli1634]

This makes so much sense to me and I came to that conclusion too. I’m currently swatching for a sweater KAL now and I’ve done two sections using 2 different needle sizes. It kills me that I’m going to have to cut the strands and not be able to reuse the yarn. Not to mention I’ve used a lot of yarn. It’s ok this time as I’m using a reasonably priced yarn and I have more than i need. I can’t imagine using an entire skein of yarn to swatch, especially if it’s a more expensive yarn. No matter how my swatch turns out, my gauge changes once I get into the project and I’ll need to make adjustments. Thank you! 😊

[@rachelmitchell2144]

So relaxing and informative. Thanks, Tayler!

[@emilievennettilli888]

Thanks for this lovely vlog. Perfect for my tea time.❤

[@WOOLNEEDLESHANDS]

My pleasure Emilie. Thank you for watching!

[@marilynburke7609]

😊❤️

[@debnew6195]

Thank you for another relaxing, well made video about knitting. ❤️🇦🇺

[@WOOLNEEDLESHANDS]

My pleasure Deb!

[@cindyengels3450]

Txs a lot , Txs to your older film i combined a handdyed Color with plain bleu navy . The flammes where just soooo Waw . Txs for the help on another stripes , i was stuck toooo . Cindy

[@WOOLNEEDLESHANDS]

My pleasure Cindy! I'm glad to help. ❤️

[@lorrie6736]

Loved the video! So relaxing! That's a great way to swatch and find your size . I always have to make a few swatches. I'm looking forward to your expanding on finding the right size with just one swatch ❤️

[@WOOLNEEDLESHANDS]

Thank you so much for watching Lorrie! And yes. I will certainly take a bit more time and explain my process. Like I mention, it isn't scientific, but it seems to work for me. ❤️

[@teadreyer1510]

Just catching up on all your vlogs & podcasts.. and you will probably have a giggle when I say that my fav part was seeing those gorgeous tea towels.. I so love pretty ones 🙂 Also, must try your merino hemp one of these days.. the fabric looks awesome! Just need to wait for the Aussie exchange rate to improve LOL .. Cheerio x Tea

[@kcrist6891]

So informative and beautifully filmed. I feel more much more confident about which size to make. Thank you!

[@WOOLNEEDLESHANDS]

I'm so glad! Thank you for watching!

[@erinf6643]

I love these vlogs! This is how I knit my gage swatch for knitting in the round. I love it! Steam blocking is a really smart idea, I might have to use that method now. Thank you! Do you like the ChiaoGoo interchangeable set?

[@WOOLNEEDLESHANDS]

Thank you for watching Erin! And I LOVE my ChiaGoos!

[@debbieperea95]

Love the voice over videos 🧶👍🏻🧡🧡 Tayler do you make the swatch like this instead of actually knitting in the round so you can count your stitches more accurately??? I’ve seen swatches cut but never understood why. Watching you explain how to do this process it finally clicked (I think 🤔). What kind of ball winder is your electric one???? Loved this video

[@WOOLNEEDLESHANDS]

Thank you for watching Debbie! Yes. I actually never knit a gauge swatch in a tube. It's just so tedious. This method does essentially the same thing in terms of tension and requires significantly less yarn. And my manual ball winder is Stanwood Needle Craft and the electric one is by Ashford New Zealand. Both are fantastic!

[@TheNetta1977]

I love your vlogs so much, may I ask where is your rainbow mug is from ?

[@WOOLNEEDLESHANDS]

Thank you so much! That means a lot to me. ☺️ And my mug is from United By Blue. 👍

[@TheNetta1977]

@@WOOLNEEDLESHANDS thank you !!

[@KnitHappensGR]

Hello Tayler! What a wonderful video! I would like to ask, how do you call the "machine" that makes the yarn into a skein. I'm not speaking about the winders. I don't know how to call it or where to search for it 😅 thank you so much in advance 💜💜💜

[@bloomwiththestars]

Hi! I believe you're referring to the yarn swift and ball winder. Happy crafting!

[@carolynogrady9139]

I have a question... where do you get your music from. I just love it.

[@WOOLNEEDLESHANDS]

Thank you Carolyn! I use Epidemic Sound for all of my music. You can find a link to all of the music from my vlogs in the description box. ❤️

[@fiberandfox]

Like kinda obsessed with the song behind the caking portion 😍

[@KnittingsAndSewings]

Do you usually steam block your sweaters also? Or is it just the swatch? I like that steamer you are using. What is that one? I usually wet block, but I wonder if there's an advantage to doing it this way? I usually only steam block acryllic. I love the idea of adjusting the size of the garment you made, rather than than changing needle size. I tend to knit loose and I'll tell you, I get tired of going down to smaller needles! The idea of just knitting a smaller sweater size is a good one.

[@WOOLNEEDLESHANDS]

Hi Chelle! Thank you for watching. So I only steam block a sweater if I am being extra careful not to open it up too much or if the yarn is already super soft and doesn't require any additional blooming (or if I'm being lazy--not going to lie). I plan on steam blocking my current Felix actually and I will definitely share that here. My steamer is just a $20 Black and Decker portable steamer. I got mine from Target!

[@zena-knittingbeans7973]

I see you use a yarn bowl. I have checked them out but wasn’t sure if they worked. Can you advise either wood or ceramic bowls work best? 🙏🏻🧶

[@WOOLNEEDLESHANDS]

Quite honestly, I think I would prefer wood. As much as I love this yarn bowl, the little teeny corners of the ears and the occasional bubbles in the glaze tend to snag my yarn from time to time. There are so many fun ceramic designs, but I think if I purchased another, it would be one made of wood. 👍

[@naomihynes1413]

Can I ask what brand of ball winder you are using?

[@WOOLNEEDLESHANDS]

Yes! The manual winder is Stanwood and the electric ball winder is from Ashford. Thank you for watching Naomi!