Gauge - A Comparison: Flat vs In The Round

Do you have the same stitch gauge between knitting flat vs in the round? Find out now. This is super important when knitting a cardigan in one piece, with the body flat and the sleeves worked in the round. This can make or break the fit of your garment.
See also:
Making an Accurate Gauge Swatch - • Making an Accurate Gau...
Reclaiming Swatch Yarn - • Reclaim Swatch Yarn
Join us in this knitting adventure.
*Pattern: "It Takes a Guild Cardigan KAL Tutorial" by Suzanne Bryan
www.ravelry.com/patterns/libr...
Find the full list of videos for this KAL in this playlist - • It Takes a Guild Cardi...
Time Stamps:
0:15- How to measure stitch gauge for flat, in the round and I-cord method?
1:05-Video suggestion - Making an Accurate Gauge Swatch.
1:28-TIP -Why is there a change in gauge from Flat vs In the Round?
2:36-TIP -Why I-cord method is not a good option?
4:13- Measuring - how to insert the tapestry needles to mark the columns?
4:56-TIP -How to efficiently count the stitches?
5:16- How to calculate the stitch gauge for the swatch knit in the round?
5:56-Counting on I-cord swatch.
6:16-How to calculate the stitch gauge for the swatch knit as an i-cord?
7:13-How to calculate the stitch gauge for the swatch knit flat?
7:46-How to adjust for your needle size if there is a difference?
8:30-Video suggestion - Reclaim swatch yarn.
If you enjoy my videos please subscribe and consider buying me a coffee on Ko-fi - ko-fi.com/suzannebryan
Where to find me -
If you would like to join my email list - click here -
lp.constantcontactpages.com/s...
Suzanne - Off the Cuff - / @suzanneoffthecuff
Knitting with Suzanne Bryan on Ravelry - www.ravelry.com/groups/knitti...
Knitting with Suzanne Bryan on FB- / 1769286026429876
KnittingSuzanne on Ravelry - www.ravelry.com/people/Knitti...
Suzanne's Blog - www.knittingsuzanne.com

[@joycesorlien2831]

Decimals matter! The swatch that was knit flat was 4.9 st/in. The swatch knit ITR was 5.2. That means there is a 6% difference - the garment knit in the round will be 6% smaller than the one knit flat. That may not matter but it could with a garment that has very little ease. It means that a 40” sweater is actually going to be 37” if I knit it ITR.

[@SuzanneBryan]

Great comment! Thank you! Exactly. That is why you need to do the swatches and then adjust your needle size as needed. That is what this video is all about.

[@dance4562]

Oh my goodness! You are a goddess!! I just had to say that. You cleared up SO many questions I had about swatching in the round. You are my go-to knitting guru. Thanks, Suzanne!

[@SycoraxPraxidice]

You just resolved my snug cardigan mystery. I swatched so carefully, but I swatched flat and knitted in the round. (I did check gauge as I went, but thought it was close enough to block out - like your example, it wasn't very far off, but that quarter stitch per inch makes a difference when you're talking about something the size of a garment!) And, yes, the sleeves fit fine. Thank you, Suzanne!

[@SuzanneBryan]

Excellent example. Thank you for sharing. Happy knitting.

[@tyriellehunter]

I like how you explained this thank you

[@easternsecrecy9777]

Reviewing nearly 3 years later! It never hurts to refresh your memory.

[@SuzanneBryan]

Cheryl, I agree! ❤️

[@masz10676]

So glad the "Yarn Whisperer" had AV on this topic. U have the best knit AV tutorial. Now have to buy calculator for fitted knitting. 😊

[@SuzanneBryan]

😊 Thank you so much, Masz! I really appreciate your great feedback! ❤️

[@laurieponton4233]

This was so helpful thank you for all that you do Suzanne :)

[@SuzanneBryan]

You are so welcome! Happy Holidays.

[@karenpung9836]

Totally agree about the round swatch NOTa favorite with the long back floats! I also think that another important swatch purpose is to measure knitting in one’s normal flow- which is not happening when the long float method. Love your analysis Suzanne. Thank you!

[@SuzanneBryan]

I totally agree!

[@nl2766]

Yes, I tried the long floats and I didn't like it. Thank you Suzanne!

[@thaberkorn6853]

Very helpful video Suzanne, thank you!

[@SuzanneBryan]

You are welcome. Happy knitting.

[@Bobbieliz]

Excellent explanation! Got it!

[@SuzanneBryan]

Wonderful Barbara Hermsmeyer! Happy Knitting.

[@fatimadehaan9025]

Very detail video Suzanne, thank you!

[@SuzanneBryan]

You are very welcome Fatima de Haan! Happy knitting.

[@SofieChanell]

Thank again. I like the idea of counting the viable stitches then measuring. 😊

[@SuzanneBryan]

Me too. Happy knitting.

[@anne-mariescheffer4691]

Thank you for this clear video. I always gauge quickly because I can't wait to start something new. But from now I will do it your way because I can see now that it really makes a difference 👌💕

[@SuzanneBryan]

You are so welcome, Anne-Marie! ❤️

[@Bobbieliz]

Knitting the swatch in the round worked perfectly for me. Thank you so much! I would never have known about it if you hadn't shown us.

[@SuzanneBryan]

Wonderful Barbara. Happy knitting.

[@batya7]

Thanks for the video. That yarn is such a gorgeous color & it shows up very well on the video even on my phone.

[@SuzanneBryan]

Thanks. It is my current color for videos, until it runs out.

[@NinaKeilin]

The one time I tried the yarn flapping method I cut off the yarn strings so it would lie flatter. Of course if you do that, you can’t reuse the yarn so you must have a lot extra.

[@SuzanneBryan]

Exactly. I am not a fan of that method. Happy knitting.

[@NinaKeilin]

Ouch. This explains why the one time I tried that yarn flapping method it resulted in a failure. The real in the round gauge must have been so different. My lifelong experience alas is that gauge swatches are often an inaccurate prediction of what is going to happen with a full size piece of knitting. I sill end up ripping out from time to time and having to change my stitch count.

[@SuzanneBryan]

The trick it to block the swatch, and then let it rest, and carry it around with you for awhile (days) before you measure the gauge. That keeps the swatch from lying to you. Happy knitting.

[@NinaKeilin]

Knitting with Suzanne Bryan wow, I will try that.

[@pauladarosa2640]

Thank you for your very detailed video. Please clarify your comment about going up or going down in needle size if your stitch gauge is different knitted flat or knitted round. I have less stitches in an inch when I knit flat as compared to knitting round. Exactly as you pointed out I recently made a sweater that started with knitting flat and then changing to knitting in the round. My difference in gauge is very noticeable in the finished sweater. If I understand your comment correctly, I should accommodate my reduced stitch gauge in the flat by decreasing my needle size, as this will increase the number of stitches. Then change to a larger needle size in the body that is knit in the round. Do I have this right?

[@SuzanneBryan]

Yes, you are correct. But the ultimate answer would be to figure out why your gauge is different. Yours sounds like your purls are larger than your knits. It may be that the purls are loose, or it could be that the knits are too tight. Either way, you can work on evening them up, and then you won't have to worry about changing needles sizes. Happy knitting and Happy Holidays.

[@knitswithdirt]

I see most people cut the yarn strands after blocking on the "disaster" swatch. Makes it flat.

[@lizziedae91]

Im very new to knitting and was wondering if I need to block when using acrylic yarn

[@SuzanneBryan]

Most likely not.

[@emilybeaton2947]

Did you swatch the method advocated by djinnj? Did you notice any difference?

[@SuzanneBryan]

I did swatch it and did not notice any difference in gauge. But it took a lot longer to do the swatch. It was about the same amount of fiddling as pulling the yarn across the back of the work. The edges were neater though.

[@chrisma3256]

I want to do a thrum toddler hat. Are you swatching for tiny projects knit in the round? I feel like you basically need to swatch the entire project to take into account increases or decreases, even more so if thrums are involved.

[@SuzanneBryan]

For tiny projects, yes the swatch can be the size of the project. So maybe the first one will work, or be a swatch. That's how i look at it. 🧶

[@chrisma3256]

@@SuzanneBryan thank you ❤😘😘

[@SuzanneBryan]

🧶

[@beatricehartman2413]

Suzanne, I've been using the (admittedly unattractive) "floats" method for swatching in the round because I can use the exact same needles I'll use for the project. If I'll be knitting my sweater on, say, my ChiaoGoo lacetip circulars, I don't want to swatch with my Knitters' Pride DPNs. So I guess my question is, do you have circulars and DPNs from the same manufacturer, to facilitate swatching in the round? Or-do you swatch on 9" circulars? (I also suspect my tension is also slightly tighter on DPNs than on circulars, because of that little tug I give the second stitch after each needle change.)

[@SuzanneBryan]

My answer is that I use 24" circulars to work in the round. If the circumference is smaller, I use two at the same time. Sort of like magic loop but different. I highly recommend it. 🧶 I always use the exact same needle that I am going to knit the project with.

[@chrisma3256]

@@SuzanneBryanMargot shared your trick with me and I recently tried mid project, having had problems with even stitches especially where the markers were and I needed to increase. It's so much easier, quicker and more regular (even with discounter bamboo needles and Knitters Pride/Knit Pro wood mixed). My tension tends to vary as I often knit late at night. Your advice is a total game changer as always ❤

[@SuzanneBryan]

🧶

[@Fran-yh8vy]

@@SuzanneBryan Hi Suzanne, how do you knit with 24" circulars with only 40 stitches?

[@Fran-yh8vy]

@@SuzanneBryan oh nevermind, i see you said you use two circulars.

[@Fran-yh8vy]

Can I use a 9" circular instead of using two circulars?

[@loishale7940]

How do you figure the gauge when it states 25 sts/32 rounds should equal 4 " how do I know if I have 4 inches?

[@SuzanneBryan]

Watch the video again. I do go through how to calculate the gauge over 4". Then ask me again if you still don't understand.

[@loishale7940]

@@SuzanneBryan This is the third times I have watched the video, I did just as you said. I divided the sts by the measurement got 16 stitches and 1.78 = 8.9 now how does that give me 4? or Not?

[@nl2766]

But for swatch in the round, you'll have to use the magic loop?

[@SuzanneBryan]

For swatching in the round you can use magic loop or two 24 inch circulars. Ideally these should be the same needles that you plan to knit your garment.

[@nl2766]

@@SuzanneBryan thanks 😊

[@Duckster183]

I searched “Suzanne bryan how to knit a swatch in the round” and nothing came up for your name. Do you have a video on how you knit this tube swatch in the round? I’ve started to knit a swatch in the round with magic loop and it’s so cumbersome, I don’t feel this is an accurate way to get my gauge. I’ve watched videos where some have the yarn from the ball coming off the top needle and I’ve also seen videos where the yarn from the ball is coming off the bottom needle. Is one of these methods turning inside out?

[@SuzanneBryan]

Hi Duckster, I do have this video that may help kzbin.info/www/bejne/Zp-odKRmib-Gbqc, I touch on swatching in the round near the end (best to watch the entire vid). I also have a more comprehensive video titled, Foundation Skills for Knitting in the Round that may help, kzbin.info/www/bejne/omnVnYqEbN9ml6M. And yes, one method would be turning inside out. 😊