BACK TO BASICS: MAKING A KNITTING OR CROCHET GAUGE SWATCH
It’s a very common question among beginners and experienced makers alike: what is a knitting or crochet gauge swatch?
A swatch is a small piece of knitted or crocheted fabric (usually square-shaped) that helps you understand the texture and tension of a yarn when worked with a specific needle or hook size, with a certain personal tension (tight or loose), and following a particular stitch pattern.
Making a swatch is also a way to “preview” how a yarn will look once worked: at this stage, if there are any problems, they can be solved more easily, saving you from having to undo a project you’ve invested time and energy into.
It’s not mandatory to make a swatch, but if your goal is to create a piece that perfectly matches your expectations in terms of size, fabric stiffness, and stitch regularity, it’s definitely worth taking a little time to create and study a small knitted or crocheted sample before starting the actual project.
Swatching helps you find the best combination of yarn, needle or hook size, and stitch, so that the final piece has the desired consistency—either more structured or softer—and, if you’re following a pattern, so that you can cast on the required number of stitches while matching the indicated dimensions.
How to Make a Knitting or Crochet Gauge Swatch
According to international guidelines, a standard swatch should measure 10 cm x 10 cm (in the U.S. system, 4 inches x 4 inches).
This standard size is used to measure yarn tension, which is the number of stitches and rows (or rounds) within 10 cm horizontally and vertically.
For even more accurate results, since the stitches along the edges tend to stretch or distort, it’s recommended to make a swatch that’s at least 15 cm x 15 cm and measure the tension in the center.
Here’s how to make a swatch:
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Keep your starting stitches a bit loose, so the following rows aren’t too tight at the bottom edge. Similarly, bind off without tightening too much before cutting the yarn.
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While most yarn labels and patterns provide tension information for stockinette stitch (knitting) or single crochet (crochet), it’s always better to swatch using the stitch pattern you plan to use for your project. You’ll immediately see if the fabric is too tight or too loose.
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Before measuring your swatch, wash it gently by hand in lukewarm water and lay it flat to dry, blocking it just like you would for a finished piece. This way, you can check if the fabric changes structure or dimensions—whether it stretches out or shrinks—and predict how your final project will behave after washing.
How to Count Stitches and Rows in a Gauge Swatch
To measure your knitting or crochet gauge swatch accurately, you’ll need:
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Pins or sewing needles
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A ruler or measuring tape
Remember: in both stocking stitch (knitting) and single crochet (crochet), individual stitches look like small “V” shapes lined up next to each other. You just need to train your eye to recognize them.
To count stitches:
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Place your ruler horizontally across the swatch, parallel to the cast-on or foundation chain edge.
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Pin one stitch a few centimeters in from the left edge and another pin exactly 10 cm to the right.
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Count the stitches between the two pins (including the stitches where the pins are placed).
To count rows:
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Place your ruler vertically in the center of the swatch.
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Pin one row a few centimeters from the bottom and another pin exactly 10 cm above it.
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Count the rows between the two pins (including the pinned rows).
You’ll then note your tension like this:
10 cm x 10 cm = [number of stitches] x [number of rows]
How to Adjust Your Gauge Swatch
If you’re following a pattern that provides gauge information, your goal is to recreate a swatch with the same or very similar tension.
The closer your swatch matches the pattern gauge, the more likely your finished piece will have the intended shape and size.
If there’s a significant difference between your swatch and the pattern gauge, here’s what to consider:
1. Your Hand Tension
Your “hand” is your natural way of handling yarn as you knit or crochet.
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If you have a tight hand, your stitches will be denser and your fabric stiffer.
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If you have a loose hand, your stitches will be more relaxed, creating a softer, more flexible fabric.
Your hand tension can also vary depending on the tools you use (e.g., tighter with circular needles and looser with straight needles or a crochet hook).
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A tight hand usually creates a compact, even fabric but can feel rigid.
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A loose hand may produce a softer, but sometimes uneven fabric with irregular sections.
You can adjust your tension by changing the needle or hook size (see below) and practicing to maintain consistent movements.
2. Needle or Hook Size
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If your swatch has more stitches in 10 cm than the pattern gauge, you should use larger needles or a bigger hook.
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If you have fewer stitches in 10 cm, you’ll need to use smaller needles or a smaller hook.
If you already know that you tend to knit or crochet tightly, you can immediately swatch with a slightly larger needle or hook.
We also discuss needle and hook sizes more in-depth in our blog post!
3. The Yarn
Different yarns can affect the final tension, even if they seem similar.
You can compare the yarns’ thickness (often listed as grams/meters ratio on the label).
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If your substitute yarn has a similar weight/length ratio to the one recommended in the pattern, it’s worth swatching to check.
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Be careful with yarns of different fiber contents (e.g., wool vs silk) or structures (smooth vs fluffy), as they can behave differently even if the weight is similar.
Most yarn labels suggest recommended needle and hook sizes to achieve a standard tension.
Yes, it’s a lot of information, but that’s exactly why a knitting or crochet gauge swatch is so important to ensure beautiful, wearable, and satisfying finished projects!
And don’t forget to share your work on Instagram using the hashtag #bettaknit!
