Swatching, though an important part of knitting, is not always needed. Watch and see when you need to swatch and when it is perfectly fine to skip the swatch and just cast on and go.
There are some items that really do not require swatching if you are ok with the fact that they may not turn out to be the same size as the pattern indicates. Accessories like scarves, cowls, blankets and shawls do not need to be an exact size, and if you don't mind some size variation, then you don't need to swatch for items like this.
You also don't need to swatch if you are knitting a pattern, or a really similar pattern, again if you are using the same yarn and needle size. The first pattern is essentially the swatch for the second project.
Swatching is also optional if you don't really care what size the item is after knitting. Maybe you are knitting a very oversized sweater and you don't mind if it is larger or smaller because a few inches either way is acceptable to you. If that is the case, go ahead and skip the swatch.
There are also times, when you really do need to swatch.
- Items that have to fit. Fitted Sweaters and Cardigans
- Special yarn, swatching teaches you if you have enough for your project.
- Unfamiliar yarn or stitch patterns.
If you swatch, and you don't get gauge you may not have to change your needles or yarn. If you love the fabric and think it will work well for the pattern that you have in mind, you can use the Gauge Switch Tool on my website to figure out what number to use to make your project come out the size you desire. In essence, you want your finished bust measurement to be 37 inches, but you are getting 6 stitches per inch rather than 5 its per inch. You can plug those numbers in to the gauge switch tool. It will tell you which size to follow, to get the size you need!
A compromise between swatching and not swatching in the process of swatching as you go. You can use the item itself as a swatch, checking the gauge as you are knitting. Of course, you need to treat the item as you would any swatch, by blocking it mid project and measuring the gauge after blocking. At this point you can make any needed adjustments by changing needles or modifying the number or increases or decreases that you are working. Be ware that you may have to tear out your work if it is too far away from the size that you desire. If you are uncomfortable with making changes on the fly or you hate tearing out your work this method may not be for you.
Save 15% by using the links and codes below
Click the link on the right of the webpage to join Wise Owl Knits email list & save 15% at https://wiseowlknits.com
Do you need supplies?
Save 15% at KnitPicks by using my Ambassador Code: AKPwiseowlknitss at https://knitpicks.com
Save 15% at Jimmy Beans Wool using my Ambassador Code AJBWwiseowlknitss https://jimmybeanswool.com/