Swatching for Balanced Tension on the Knitting Machine

This could be my most boring video ever about an essential but boring part of knitting (or crochet) - gauge or tension swatches. In this video, I'm mainly concerned with finding out which stitch size or tension settings to use to have the same tension on the ribber as on the main bed. So boring it is, but necessary if you want to knit tubular or circular socks, hats or cowls on your flatbed knitting machine.

[@janatherton9194]

Thank you for this, I wasn't quite sure how those rulers worked! I wonder if a set of those foam play mat squares, or an inexpensive yoga mat would protect your wooden floor from being damaged by the weights.

[@TheSaltyKnitter]

That's a great idea actually!

[@elssmit146]

Beste Vanessa , ik denk dat we moeten stoppen met het vervelend vinden om swatches te maken. We willen allemaal iets moois maken, dus het is noodzakelijk . Zie het als volgt, je moet eerst leren lopen wil je rennen. Veel plezier met het breien.

[@TheSaltyKnitter]

Thank you and I agree. Though I will admit it is much easier to use the yarn to swatch when it is a 400g cone rather than a 50g ball or skein. When hand knitting a new pattern with new to me stitches, I would also use a stitch swatch. So I can be sure I understand how the stitch is formed and practice before I knit it in my project.