Knitting Woes...

[krebstar5]

So I started knitting "Grace" last night and after being a good girl and making my swatch, I discovered that I cannot seem to get gauge if my life depended on it. As a result, I am getting an extra inch in width for every 4 inches I knit. My sister thought this was fine because I could just knit the smallest size and hope for the best... Hmmm,

Comments

Do not pass go, do not collect $200

[beta_catenin]

It's most definitely time do some math. It sounds like you may have already done this, but use the needle size that brings you closest to pattern gauge and see what your actual gauge is. Then plug that in.

Here's a purely hypothetical example: Say you're getting 4 st to the inch and the pattern calls for 5 st to the inch. Doesn't seem like a big deal, right? But,look: Cast on 80 st, and the pattern would get 16 inches across. You would be getting 20, for a four inch difference. Double that for the front, and you've got a sweater 8 inches too big! Eeek!

For row gauge, feh. Adding or dropping rows isn't a big deal, and the worst case scenario is a cropped sweater. Kicky!

Depending on the pattern and how far you're off, E miiiiight be onto something by trying a smaller size. Try the math. You might need to rewrite things for your gauge or, unfortunately, use a different yarn/sweater pattern.

I'm sorry. Happens to the best of us, dude. Aren't you glad you swatched?

Re: Do not pass go, do not collect $200

[krebstar5]

Yeah, I actually stopped knitting and put the thing on hold. I figure if I make the front first, I can always adjust the back to match it. Right now, the sweater will be okay width wize...and since the sweater is cropped...I'm hoping it will end up longher because that is the way I want it anyway. However, that means I cannot just blindly "knit 5 inches." I might end up calling you about this because I'm actually not too sure about the math. I think I'm going to knit another swatch, keep this one, and do some serious research. I do know one thing, my yarn is SUPER fluffy. I'm going to do my best to make a sweater that fits...so I don't look too frumpy.

Phew, you are SO my knitting guru.

Re: Do not pass go, do not collect $200--Bree

[beta_catenin]

Well, you are a far better person than I, V-girl. Im just blindly going and well, umm I have no idea what size its going to come out