FORGET Everything You Thought You Knew About Swatching!

[@peggykelly1876]

You have convinced me of how important it is to do swatching correctly instead of the half a____d way I was doing it. No wonder I have so many knitted sweaters I never wear Thank you

[@karenmeharg6550]

Ok…now this video was worth watching for me. I’ve been knitting for a few years now but know there is soooo much more I can learn. You answered all the questions I had about swatching and some I didn’t know I had. This 15 minute master class idea is just great. Please keep them coming!

[@Knicoleknits]

Three more coming this month! Then I'll add more as the mood strikes me 😉😋

[@ccpperrett7522]

Knicole, this video is well worth the admission❤ Thank you. Those marking yarns are brilliant! This is the first time I have ever seen this practice. I am so grateful for experienced kniters teaching us newbies to swatch. It has been a game changer for me.

[@Knicoleknits]

Yay! I'm happy it was helpful! 😊

[@beckygreenberg4283]

I'm CONVINCED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Big Time. You convinced me. I just finished unraveling and re-balling too many dead projects. Thank you !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@Knicoleknits]

Woo hoo! So glad it worked for you! 🎉

[@retahallonquist7614]

My main reason for swatching is that I'm frequently not working from a printed pattern. Sometimes I'm using something of a recipe, but sometimes I'm winging it. That means that knowing my gauge is a MUST.

[@Knicoleknits]

You're amazing, Reta! 😍

[@kimberleyoliver8160]

This is an excellent tutorial. You convinced me to SWATCH.

[@Knicoleknits]

Hooray! My work here is done 😉😂💖

[@CherriThompson]

Incredibly helpful!

[@celiajean7093]

Brilliant! I started with your running stitch video and have backtracked to here. Fantastic info, thank you so much. 👍

[@noreenmcneely9261]

Brilliant! Love the running stitch instructions! Very clearly demonstrated. Thank you!

[@shibal7582]

Such great tips.... thanks Nicole! Poor Oscar having to sleep on a stinkin' polyester bed......the nerve 😂

[@Knicoleknits]

Ha ha! I'll let Oscar know that you've got his back 😉

[@nancymcconnell2396]

Another great and informative video. Thanks, Nicole!

[@chardennis9370]

This was the best video on doing my swatch. Thank you so much I am all in with your videos. 🥰🇨🇦

[@Knicoleknits]

I'm so glad it was helpful! 🥰

[@kringle-jelly]

Newer follower here and loving your channel! You're a natural teacher and your videos are fact-packed and fun. TY!

[@Knicoleknits]

Thank you so much! 💖

[@despinavassos7865]

Awesome! thank you very good way to gauge swatch ❤

[@ManuAustria]

die laufenden Marker sind eine tolle idee bei komplizierten muster . mega trick❤

[@Knicoleknits]

They really are!

[@catherinekhalili4412]

I’m almost convinced lol. I’ve avoided doing sweaters, etc. that really must be swatched. I love your explanation of it. 😃

[@Knicoleknits]

I get it! But it’s so worth it! 😊

[@DianeVancouver]

Thanks for the reminders of how to count rows - game changer for me last time you mentioned it. And reminder of row counters with yarn. Useful as well and in use now. And, of course, reminders of all the ways swatches are helpful before undertaking a big project. Looking forward to further episodes. KZbin is great for this. Takes the place of all the tips we should have learned from granny and mom but didn’t.

[@Knicoleknits]

I'm doing my best to stand in for Mom and Granny 😄

[@rochellehancock8120]

Wow. Thanks for this. I learned a lot!

[@Knicoleknits]

You're welcome! Happy to help! 😊

[@judithmuscroft8177]

This was great - I’ve learned so many things- thank you!

[@Knicoleknits]

Yay!

[@barbarascott8276]

I am looking forward to your tutorial on the running stitch marker method. I think it will be a game changer. Many thanks for your generous and always amusing lessons.

[@bg7491]

Good talk. Lots of useful tips should I decide to swatch someday. 😄 Regarding Oscar's cashmere dog bed...🙊

[@Knicoleknits]

😂😋

[@LoriHolcomb-y8b]

Love the use of running markers. I will definitely do that the next time I swatch.

[@Knicoleknits]

It makes the measuring soooo much easier 😊

[@kimberlysmiley4732]

I use my swatches to make a pillow cover, throw, or blanket which becomes a memory project

[@Knicoleknits]

Brilliant!

[@lindakillick1066]

Thank you so much Nicole, excellent content. Just finished a colorwork yoke that I am not happy with. I swatched in the main colour but did not try out the colour pattern which would have been soooo wise!

[@Knicoleknits]

Oh my goodness, I’ve been there! 😩

[@mariaknitsRN]

Love the running stitches. I watched your video on running stitches, and I am converting to them. Thank you. I do swatches for sweaters and for socks. Here is the problem I run into sometimes, maybe you can address it in another master class video. I knit up a big swatch, wash, play with it a little, and then dry. I even sometimes hang them up and add a little weight on the bottom. However, it doesn't seem to translate into how much some yarns (not superwash), grow. How does one account for this issue?

[@Knicoleknits]

Accounting for that kind of stretch is tricky and requires blocking your swatch twice - once naturally and a second time after hanging with weights for 24 hours. I sense a masterclass on blocking in the near future...😉😉

[@joannek6805]

Thanks for this very helpful video. I always swatch when making a sweater but don’t typically block my swatch. I will try to do better 🍀🤞 I have 2 questions: 1 - What to do when my stitch count matches gauge, but not my row count. 2 - if I’ve blocked my swatch and I see that my length (rows) has grown from, say 4” to 5”, how do I handle when a pattern will say “knit to 10 inches from underarm”. Would I have to factor in that growth factor that I expect from blocking? I think that my confusion on this has kept me from blocking my swatches in the past. Thanks for your guidance on this topic. ❤

[@Knicoleknits]

Great questions! Row gauge is a bit tricky to assess - the two main culprits are the yarn type and your knitting style. If you consistently get stitch gauge but not row gauge, it's more likely your knitting style. If the fiber content and texture of your yarn is very different from the one used in the pattern, then consider trying a different yarn (next week's video is all about yarn substitution) 😊 If you watch today's video on Running Markers, you'll find a solution to your "knit 10" from the underarm" confusion. I talk about how to handle that EXACT scenario!

[@sandracroley9784]

I need to swatch for the MerryMint sweater. I really dislike swatching for colour-work, but I will, as I'm not sure how the Filcolana Arwetta that I'd like to use will perform since it's superwash. Perhaps I'll try a swatch with Holst Supersoft also. I have lots of colours of Jamieson and Smith, but for some reason when I try to use it for colour-work my gauge knits up super huge 😔

[@Knicoleknits]

Superwash can be tricky for colorwork. Definitely swatch first to be sure you're getting the result you want. However, I think for the type of small motifs in the MerryMint (which is just about the cutest sweater name EVER), superwash should be fine. Have fun! 😊

[@crrizello5157]

I have been swatching for years and this is the first time I have heard of a running marker. I must start doing this. My problem with swatching is that I can get the stitch gauge but always have a hard time with the row gauge. I know for some things the stitch gauge is more important, but would love some tips on how to get both stitch and row gauge to match to pattern gauge.

[@Knicoleknits]

Row gauge is a bit tricky to assess - the two main culprits are the yarn type and your knitting style. If you consistently get stitch gauge but not row gauge, it's more likely your knitting style. If the fiber content and texture of your yarn is very different from the one used in the pattern, then consider trying a different yarn (next week's video is all about yarn substitution) 😊

[@jayjaychappo]

I have just finished a colorwork TEST KNIT, that had a liar liar swatch and the ski cowl ended up 10cm smaller in circumference than planned. (Yes, I did the swatch in the round) I swore never to do a colorwork swatch ever again. Did I say it was a frigging TEST KNIT? Lol I wanted a HUGE martini after that! (Thank goodness I knit the largest size now it is a Christmas present for my smallest sister in law who happens to ski. 🍸 🍸

[@Knicoleknits]

Oh, that's so frustrating! Sometimes you can do everything right and the finished project still has a mind of its own 😋

[@kaffeefreundin2828]

I've come across a 2ply alpaca yarn which just won't do lace. Something about twist and ply, I suppose. The swatch looked all wonky and uneven. With lace, you only see how it looks after blocking the project, so it's really important to check if the yarn is suitable for it

[@Knicoleknits]

Yes! Fiber contents can change how fabric behaves...A LOT. We'll be diving into this when we get to the yarn substitution class 😊

[@TheSuzberry]

Recommend that you avoid suspense/horror movies while knitting. Sweaty hands knit tighter. And at some point you might make an item out of your swatches. 😎

[@Knicoleknits]

You're totally right about the sweaty hands! 😂

[@ruthhaney2946]

😂

[@thriftythreader5998]

Wouldn’t it be lovely if all the Ravelry designers included a swatch pattern, and indicated if the yarn quantity includes the swatch?

[@charlotteburke6434]

I always worry that I will run out of yarn by using too much in the swatches. Should one buy extra yarn for swatching or does the pattern requirement take include it into account? By the way.. I am using running markers in a project for the first time. Thanks for that tip.

[@Knicoleknits]

Good "good" designers include a little extra yarn in their yardage requirements for swatches and slight changes. 😉 I've never found that I needed to buy extra yarn to accommodate a standard swatch or two.

[@Thankful1998]

I struggle with the time and YARN used in swatching.. Definitely I mind and heart battle!

[@Knicoleknits]

For me, the benefits outweigh the "costs," but you definitely need to get there (or not) on your own 💖😊

[@amydebuitleir]

Another reason to swatch is to find out if you like the experience of knitting with that yarn. I don't want to start a big project with a yarn that feels rough or unpleasant while I'm knitting.

[@Knicoleknits]

Excellent tip!

[@karenalbery2773]

I find my swatches lie due to the size and weight of a given project vs the 6 to 8 inch wide swatch i make. A square no matter how big is never going to weigh as much as the xl sweater. Depending on the type of yarn and the construction of the sweater and the stitch pattern you use, you might need to plan on the nature of knit fabric to stretch.

[@Knicoleknits]

Yes! Excellent point - thank you for adding this!! 💖

[@nancyallen3574]

Why don't beginner classes and/or patterns suggest (not mandate, just suggest) the purchase of extra yarn to swatch? One of my biggest fears as a beginner knitter is running out of yarn. Yes, a swatch can be ripped out and used, but FORO (fear of running out) is real.

[@Knicoleknits]

I get that. "Good" designers actually add about 10% to their patterns' required yarn quantities to allow for minor modifications and swatching. They don't generally tell you that they've done that, though. 😋