Eeek, not another one! So soon after the other one too.
That’s because the last blog post created a few questions. The main one was… how do I measure my gauge?
I’ve created a short video to show how, and I’ve also done a few longer videos like this one and this one going into more explanation.
In the studio there can be the response, among others, when I say you haven’t got the gauge… *does it matter*?
And ultimately… it doesn’t matter.
Just like it doesn’t matter if you don’t drive. It doesn’t matter if you don’t wash. These things don’t matter… but then if you live somewhere without public transport or no one to give you a lift, do you mind walking to where you want to go?
And it’s the same with gauge. It doesn’t matter if you don’t get the gauge in the pattern. Sometimes someone doesn’t get the gauge and it fits them perfectly. It doesn’t matter then.
It might matter though when it doesn’t fit perfectly. Again, it doesn’t matter to some knitters. They don’t mind if it doesn’t fit – they will rip it out and knit it again, either a size smaller or larger depending on how it doesn’t fit.
I know a couple of knitters who regularly do this. They are getting twice or three times the enjoyment from one pattern and one purchase of yarn.
Here is an example of an incorrect gauge. The Philippa Jumper has a gauge of 17 stitches to 10cm. The sleeve on top is 17 stitches. The sleeve underneath is 14 stitches. Can you see that 14 stitches creates a wider sleeve?
And again with the body. The piece on top is 17 stitches and underneath 14 stitches.
And this is what it looks like on the neck with the different gauges…
Does this matter? Maybe it doesn’t… if you wanted a loose fitting oversized jumper. I’d crop it and make the sleeves shorter to make it look like that was the design rather than a too big and baggy jumper.
I recommend, if you are a beginner and gauge seems too overwhelming, to knit a drop shoulder jumper. Because if you are out by an inch or two it doesn’t matter as much as if you are knitting a set-in sleeve jumper. With a set-in sleeve, being out by an inch or two can be the difference between it being too small to wear or fitting perfectly. Whereas with a drop shoulder, you can adjust it – like knitting the sleeves shorter so they sit at your wrist instead of hanging past your fingers.
This is the beauty of knitting. It is about getting to know your stitches. But it’s also knowing that if it isn’t what you thought it was going to be… you can rip it out and start again. Or gift it to someone – there will always be a body that fits the knitting.
That means you get to feel good while knitting it because your mind gets the benefit of those soothing stitches. Then you feel good again because you’ve given joy to someone else.
And then you get more joy and excitement when you pick your yarn for the next version.
Or…
You can measure your gauge, know the actual measurements of your garment, and cast on knowing you will get your perfect size at the end of all those soothing stitches.
And if you’re not sure which route to take, you don’t have to figure it out alone.
You can always pop into the Skipton studio, try on a garment and I can help you work out your gauge and sizing in person.
So does gauge matter?
Yes… and no.
It matters if you want control. It doesn’t matter if you’re happy to explore. Either way… you’re still knitting. And that’s always the best place to start.