How to Block Your Gauge Swatch for Knitting or Crochet Projects

[@kimconover8137]

Hello, I learned a lot by watching your video, thank you. I am knitting my first sweater and just finished the swatch. I was doing it all wrong until I watched you. I have only been knitting for a short while and enjoy it very much! I hope my sweater comes out fine. Keep the educational videos coming! 😁

[@jessicahartmann9564]

Thank you for the tutorial! I was wondering, why can't you measure the swatch while it's pinned? It would have the same dimensions as it will when it dries, right?

[@YayForYarn]

Ideally, it should be the same dimensions when it dries if you haven't stretched it at all when pinning it. However, sometimes the fiber content and stitch pattern combination in the fabric can cause the swatch to contract slightly as it dries. It is just better overall to measure after it has dried, to make sure the measurement is as accurate as possible. You want to get a feel for what the finished fabric will be like when it is dry as well, since most projects will be dry when they are worn or used. I hope this helps!

[@melissaknox5997]

Hi I’m crocheting your CUDDLE CARDIGAN pattern from a few years ago and I have an important question so I’m commenting on this recent post in hopes of getting a response. I’m making the 80 rows repeating row 3 and I lost count. I have no idea how to count the rows. Can you make a video on that please? I’m also having a little trouble knowing if I’m doing the ends right where you end with the 8th RHDC st 2 and turn. I know how to start the 8 RHDC but not how to do the last one on the end or edge. I’m using HYGGE yarn which gets a little fuzzy and hard to see the stitches but it’s so soft and beautiful I had to try it for this. Thanks. Hope you see this. 🙏

[@YayForYarn]

Hi Melissa. If you're having trouble identifying the stitches and rows in the fabric because of the fuzzy yarn you're using, I would suggest doing a swatch of the stitch pattern and ribbing using a smooth, easier-to-see yarn. If you become familiar with the stitch pattern in a more visible yarn, it could help make it easier to identify the stitches and rows in the fuzzy yarn. As for counting the rows, keep in mind that the RHDC ribbing at the end takes two rows to create a ridge with a 'peak' and a 'valley'. This video showing the RHDC in more detail may be of help: kzbin.info/www/bejne/aJqQoGqGaphgns0 I hope this helps!