The All Important Gauge

The all important gauge swatch. Something I assume most of us are very lazy about. Something I know not all of us knit up. Something that is so necessary, yet so boring. Who actually knits up a swatch anyway? I'll admit, I only ever knit up a gauge swatch when I substituting yarn. Naughty, I know. Or simply, I trust the manufacturers details on the skein label.

This is the gauge square for my next project. I'll be substituting Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino with Rowan All Seasons Cotton. It will be another one from Special Knits by Debbie Bliss.

The simplest way to do the math for substituting is to get your stitch gauge and divide it by the pattern's stitch gauge. Once you find your new number, use that to modify the pattern. i.e. Where the pattern says cast on 100, multiply that by the new number you have, round it down or up to the nearest whole number and cast on as new.

The same principles go for row gauge.

Do you remember the two cable and moss stitch cardigans that I knit up for the twins that came unexpectedly early, well Mummy and Daddy absolutely loved them, what a compliment. I haven't met the twins yet, but they are both home and doing fine. They are about two months old now and 5lb each. They've got a lot of growing to do before they fit into their new cardigans.