Teach Yourself VISUALLY Circular Knitting by Melissa Morgan-Oakes

Author:Melissa Morgan-Oakes
Language: eng
Format: epub, pdf
Publisher: Wiley

Swatching for a Master Pattern

1 Decide on the size of your swatch. The minimum I recommend for a circular swatch is 6 inches in circumference and 4 inches in length. A swatch of that size will allow you to determine gauge by measuring a flat area in the center of the swatch (away from any edge distortion) that is 2 inches wide and 2 inches long.

2 Determine the number of stitches to cast on to create your swatch. Take the gauge recommended on the ball band of your yarn (in stitches per inch) and multiply that number by the desired circumference of the swatch (in inches).

Stitches to cast on = stitch gauge (in sts/inch) × desired circumference of swatch

If you will be using a stitch pattern for your project, modify this number so that it is a multiple of the number of stitches in one repeat of your chosen stitch pattern. Also, be sure to include enough repeats of the stitch pattern so that you will be able to measure gauge over at least one or two complete repeats on one side of the circular swatch. For example, if the ball band specifies a gauge of 5 stitches per inch and you would like to make a swatch that is 6 inches in circumference, you would calculate the number of stitches to cast on as follows: 5 stitches/inch × 6 inches = 30 stitches to cast on. If your chosen stitch pattern has a repeat of 4 stitches, cast on 32 stitches because that is the closest multiple of 4. That will give you 8 repeats of your stitch pattern, 4 on each side.

Number of repeats in swatch = stitches to cast on / nbr of sts in repeat

3 Choose a needle size. You may have to change your needle several times to find the right size for your yarn and chosen stitch pattern. Start working with the needle size recommended on the ball band of your yarn.

4 Cast on the number of stitches that you calculated in Step 2 using one of the circular knitting methods described in Chapter 2. Then begin working in the round in the stitch pattern you have chosen for your project.

5 Continue to work in the round until your swatch measures at least 4 inches from the cast-on edge. Then assess your work. Do you like the stitch definition and the appearance and feel of the swatch? If you are making socks, you may want a dense fabric that will stand up to wear; if you are making a cowl, you may want a fabric with more drape. The master pattern will give suggestions about yarn selection that will help you decide what sort of appearance and texture you want to create.

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