How to make a reliable gauge swatch
Practical guidance: how to make a reliable gauge swatch.
Key principles
- Use the same yarn, tool and stitch as the project.
- Make a swatch larger than the measured area and exclude edge stitches.
- Wash and block the swatch exactly like the finished item.
Step-by-step process
- Record yarn, tool and project parameters.
- Make a small test and measure it without stretching.
- Compare the result with the target and change only one parameter at a time.
- Record the decision in the project journal so it can be reproduced.
Common mistakes
The most common mistake is treating label or pattern data as a guarantee. Technique, fibre, stitch and washing can change the result.