Gauging is the Worst

[atherleisure]

I don't understand why I am incapable of gauging knitting. I tried the bathing suit pattern on size 2 needles, which is one size down from what the pattern is written for, and it ended up about 7.5 st/in. I tried it again on size 1 needles, and it ended up about 7.5 st/in. Since the pattern is written for a 32"-34" bust, and I'm a 35" bust, I figured that would be fine so I cast on with the size 1 needles and started knitting.

I measured after 18 rows, and it was 8 st/in. I ripped it out and cast back on with size 2 needles, knit about eight rows, and it was 8 st/in but didn't look as good as it did with the size 1 needles. I ripped it out again and cast back on with size 1 needles but added four stitches to each side to account for an extra couple of inches through the hips.

Now I've knit thirty rows, and I decided to see how long it was so I'd have some idea of how many rows I need to get to the 19" I need before doing anything differently. And it's 9 st/in!

You would think this would be a simple thing to do, but not for me.

Anyway, I'll just glare at it and hope it all comes out right in the end because who knows what would happen if I tried to start over again?

Comments

[danabren]

Gauges are for quitters!

[mala_14]

Gauge is hard. Things get so different once they're far away from the needles. Good luck!

[atherleisure]

Beyond that, I feel like knitting measurements change all the time anyway. When you’re trying to make it lie flat, how much tension can you put on it without affecting the measurements? Or how much tension should you have on it? Are you trying to imitate what happens when you press/block it or not? Questions I don’t really know the answers to.

[mala_14]

Good questions! I have no answers either, being a very inexperienced knitter, but it's interesting to hear your thoughts, since you are such an accomplished knitter.

[atherleisure]

I read three or four articles on gauging a few days ago, and only one of them mentioned blocking your gauge swatch. Since all of them start by defining gauge, you'd think they'd be assuming no prior knowledge, so to me that means that they probably don't block their swatches. On the other hand, if they're starting so basic, that would imply they're not talking about swatching lace where you would have to block it to have any idea of the size since lace is generally not beginner level knitting.

I don't know. Gauging is still hard. Measuring knitting is hard too.

[mala_14]

I 100% agree with you.

[marianme]

What? Consistency in stitches?! Ha. This is what makes my knitting “unique”. 😂

[atherleisure]

For me I think the consistency is there in the stitches, but I struggle with the measurements. I’m never sure where the end of smoothing flat and the beginning of stretching is. I measured the same section again last night, and it was just a little over eight stitches per inch. I don’t think I stretched it, but maybe I did.

[penwiper]

I have zero idea how people knit at a consistent gauge. My gauge varies wildly depending on how stressed I am, the atmospheric humidity, the grippiness of my skin at the moment, whether Mars is ascendant, etc., etc..

[atherleisure]

My gauge is usually pretty consistent; my measuring leaves something to be desired! I don't know what makes it easy to keep my stitches pretty even, but it's not something I've struggled with except for the elementary school days when I first learned to knit.