What the Heck is a Gauge?
By Rachel Choi – 16 Comments| I’m asked this all the time and yes, gauge is important in crochet and knitting alike.
So what is a gauge? |
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How do you make a gauge swatch?
In all of my patterns, there are pattern instructions for you to follow to make your gauge. Some patterns will tell you to repeat certain rows in the pattern. After creating your gauge swatch, be sure that the finished size is the same as dimensions indicated for the gauge. If you find that your swatch is too big or too small, try using a smaller or bigger sized hook.
Is gauge really important?
Sometimes. Depending on what you’re making, you might not care if your work turns out the proper size. I don’t care if my refrigerator magnet turns out a little too big, but if I’m making a sweater, it better fit me. It’s up to you to determine when you think it’s important, but when in doubt make the gauge anyway.
Do you always make gauge swatches or are you guilt of skipping it?
I used to think working up a gauge swatch was waste of time, but I forced myself to get into the habit to check gauge. Now I can’t imagine working up a project without first checking gauge.
I make mostly Amigurumi, so gauge isn’t really important.
I’m guilty of skipping this step. I think I’ve only checked a few times when I was first starting out.
This is one of the biggest problems I have “Guage”. I’ve gone to the extent of making 5 swatches with different size hooks in order to get my guage to match the pattern. My problem is that sometimes the length comes out right but the depth does not so, after making so many swatches, I pick the one that is closer to the guage size they call for. I don’t know if this is the correct thing to do. I also don’t throw away the guage swatches I make. Instead I pin a lable on them with the size and type of yarn that the pattern calls for and whatever material I used in order to obtain the guage that the pattern calls for. The next time I need to work up a guage swatch, I’ll look to see if I’ve got one already made up that calls for the same measurements.
The few things I’ve made where gauge mattered it was a “create as your along” pattern, so I didn’t do gauge. I just did fittings to the person it was for. But, I do get the importance. I see how different size hooks and yarn can make a difference even in the blankets and stuffed animals I make.
I’m with Maria. My gauge swatches usually end up being too wide and too short. I don’t know how to fix that, or whether to go up a hook size or down.
I’m quilty. I hardly ever check the gauge. But if I’m making a dress or something to wear I always check it. 🙂
I would like to make this baby pattern but I have no idea how to start a gauge. The pattern says
gauge is;: 2 clusters=1 inch; 3 cluster and 2 sc rows=2 inches. Do you chain what the pattern
says which is 51 and do you do the first row of the pattern which is ch 51, dc in 4th ch from hook
and in each ch across, turn and then do you do what it says for the cluster?
Hi Judy, try to make a small swatch of the stitch pattern that the pattern is using by working a few rows. It doesn’t have to be the full 51 chains, just enough chains so that you can eventually measure the size of the “2 clusters” and the “3 cluster and 2 sc rows”.
Oh, I need help with this. I’m “trying” to do a project which uses a mesh stitch. For the gauge, it says: “In stitch pattern, 4 (sc, ch-3 spaces) and 8 rows = 4 inches”. I’m sort of confused on how to do this.
First of all, does the gauge include the foundation chain? Like, “foundation + 8 rows”, or “foundation + 7 rows”?
Secondly, the whole “4 (sc, ch-3 spaces)” thing: How does one do/interpret that? Is that 4 single crochets in 3 chain spaces?? So, like make 4 chain spaces and then do…? I can’t even type it. I’m totally lost on that. Please help. I’ll include part of the pattern below.
–Row 1: Beg in sixth chain from hook, sc in sixth ch, *ch 3, skip 2 ch, sc in next ch; rep from * to across, end in last ch; turn.
–Row 2: Ch 5 (counts as sc, ch 3), sc in first ch-3 space, * ch 3, sc in next ch-3 space; rep from * across; turn.
One last question: In my book, for Row 1, it didn’t have that first star (*), only the 2nd one. It seemed like a typo; and based on some other patterns that I saw, I assumed that the first star would go there. Does that seem right for a mesh pattern (to you)?
Thanks a MILLION!
Lila, for your first question, the foundation chain rarely counts as its own row (I won’t say never in case someone does write their patterns that way). So 8 rows generally means the 8 rows you complete after the chain has been made. Notice your pattern does not use the foundation chain as Row 1.
As for your second question, parentheses in patterns should be interpreted much like the ones in math. In this case you’re doing (sc, ch 3) four times, and finishing off with another sc for stability.
Lastly, it does look like the asterisk is placed well. Does it work with your stitch count?
Hi Candace:
(1) The row part makes enough sense 🙂
(2) Regarding the asterisk, yes, it seems like it’s working. The numbers seems fine, although, the patterns seems a little too tight but I may just be heavy-handed, lol. I’m a beginner at this thing, so I’m unsure of a lot.
(3) Going back to the parentheses, I’m still confused 🙁 I understand what you wrote, but “sc, ch 3” seems different from “sc, ch-3 spaces”. If I were to sc and then ch 3 repeatedly, I’d have a different pattern than the one they gave which was basically “sc, ch 3, sk 2 ch” on repeat. So, I guess my main point of confusion is the “ch-3 spaces” (vs “ch 3” – because aren’t those different?) and what is meant by “ch-3 spaces” in the formula: 4 (sc, ch-3 spaces). This is a time when I wish patterns where written in plain English :/
Thank you for your help! :o)
Hi, I am trying to do a top and the pattern says: 2 pat rep = 4 1/2″ Wide.
Now the pattern is working with calado st. Am I supposed to do the five rows of the calado stich twice? and how many chains am I going to make in the the beginning. I saw that someone had a similar question but this pattern doesn’t say how many rows. I am so confused!!
Hi Betty,
I’m not 100% sure since I can’t see the pattern, but try looking for a repeat in the pattern like some parentheses ( ) or asterisk * * symbols that are around a group of directions. Those instructions would be the repeat. If something else is being repeated, like the rows, that might be what is being referred to too. If you ‘re not sure how many chains to make you can always make it much longer than you need and then only use what you need. The extra chains will hang off the side, just don’t measure it as part of the gauge.
pattern for mermaid blanket tail in round 11 it says to ch1 turn,*sc in the next dc, skip 1 dc, 5 dc in next dc, skip 1 dc, sc in next dc, 5 dc in next sc, ( skip 2 dc, sc in next dc, skip 2 dc, 5 dc in next sc ) 4 times, repeat from * around, sl st in first sc: 72 sts and when I did the repeat 4 times my round was not completed and when I finished the round I came up with 90 its, I don’t know what I am doing wrong ,please help.
Hi Harriett!
Below I broke down each step on round 11 so that you can see how many stitches are being used on the previous round and how many are being created on round 11. Hopefully this detailed explanation will help. It is a long explanation so you may have to read it carefully. The breakdown will hopefully help you count the stitches as you make them so you can see where you may be going wrong. If you need more help with it, let me know and I’ll be sure to help you further!
Round 11: ch 1, turn, *sc in next dc, skip 1 dc, 5 dc in next dc, skip 1 dc, sc in next dc, 5 dc in next sc, (skip 2 dc, sc in next dc, skip 2 dc, 5 dc in next sc) 4 times, repeat from * around, sl st in first sc: 72 sts
Beginning at the first * on round 11…
sc in next dc – this uses 1 st on the previous round , and creates 1 new st on round 11
skip 1 dc – this uses 1 st, and creates 0 sts
5 dc in next dc – this uses 1 st, and create 5 new sts
skip 1 dc – this uses 1 st, and creates 0 sts
sc in next dc – this uses 1 st, and creates 1 new st
5 dc in next sc – this uses one st, and creates 5 new sts
1+1+1+1+1+1 = 6 stitches used on the previous round. And creates 1+0+5+0+1+5 = 12 stitches on round 11.
Then we are going to work the instructions in the parentheses ( )
skip 2 dc – this uses 2 sts, and creates 0 sts
sc in next dc – this uses 1 st, and creates 1 new st
skip 2 dc – this uses 2 sts, and creates 0 sts
5 dc in next sc – this uses 1 st, and creates 5 new sts
2+1+2+1 = 6 stitches used on the previous round. And creates 0+1+0+5 = 6 stitches on round 11. Since we are working the instructions in the parentheses 4 times, you will have a total of 6*4 = 24 stitches used on the previous round and 24 stitches created on round 11.
Each time you work the repeat from * to * you will have a total of 6 stitches used before the parentheses and 24 stitches used in the parentheses, 6+24 = 30 sts used on the previous round.
And 12 stitches created on round 11 before the parentheses and 24 stitches created in the parentheses, 12+24= 36 sts create on round 11.
Since there are 60 sts total on round 10 (the previous round), you will work the repeat from * to * a total of 2 times, 60 / 30 = 2, so that you use all 60 sts on round 10.
So you will have a total of 36 * 2 = 72 sts total on round 11 when you are done.
If you need more help with it, let me know and I’ll be sure to help you further!