Ever finished a project… and it turned out way to big or small?
This is all due to something called Gauge.
What is Gauge?
A gauge swatch is a small square you crochet that measures how tight or loose you hold your yarn. Its important to know your gauge when making projects that need to be a certain size.
What does Gauge instructions look like?
Patterns will call for measurements in either STITCHES or ROWS or BOTH:
Example:
STITCHES: “6½ stitches = 4 inches using double crochet on a US P hook”
&
ROWS: “4 rows = 4 inches on US P crochet hook in double crochet“
Prepare Your Materials!
What to know:
Before you begin, check your pattern for:
- Yarn type (example: super bulky)
- Hook size (example: US P)
- Stitch type (example: double crochet)
Start your swatch using those exact materials.
What you’ll need:
- Measuring tape or ruler
- 2 pins
Let’s Begin:
- Start by crocheting a chain until it reaches 8 inches long. Turn.
- Skip the first 2 chains from the hook, double crochet into the 3rd chain. Double crochet into every chain till end. Turn, then repeat this step 2 until your swatch is 6 inches tall. (This should give you a 6 inch x 6 inch square)
- Fasten off.
* Hint: Your swatch should be at least 6 inches x 6 inches to have enough space to measure correctly.
How to Measure the STITCHES in Gauge:
- Find the outer edge of a stitch near the left end of your swatch.
2. Place your ruler so the 0 mark lines up with that edge.
3. Insert a pin at that outer edge starting point.
4. After placing your first pin, measure horizontally to 4 inches on your ruler. Place another pin at that 4 inch mark.
5. Remove your ruler and simply count how many stitches fall between the two pins.
6. In this example, the gauge produces 6 1/2 stitches within 4 inches.
How to Measure the ROWS in Gauge:
1.Locate a stitch near the top and hold your ruler so the zero mark lines up with the top of that stitch.
2. Place a pin at the very top of the stitch.
3. After pinning your first stitch, holding your ruler in place…measure down to the 4 inch mark and place a 2nd pin.
4. Remove your ruler.
5. Count how many rows fall between your pins.
In this example:
- 4 rows = 4 inches
Now you know if your height matches the pattern gauge.
What if your gauge doesn’t match?
If you have too many stitches than the pattern calls for:
This means your tension is tighter than the pattern.
Solution:
Use a larger hook and make another swatch. And if you still have too many stitches, keep going up in hook size until your stitches match.
If you have too few stitches:
This means your tension is looser than the pattern.
Solution:
Use a smaller hook and try again, going down in hook size until it matches.
Hope you find this new skill valuable to add to your crocheting library,
~Angie
