How to knit a swatch?

Exploring designer knitwear begins with creating a swatch, a vital step in your knitting journey. Knitting a swatch serves several important functions in your knitting life. It’s the best way to ensure your knitting gauge matches the pattern gauge, so that your project comes out the correct size and shape. It’s also a great way to familiarize yourself with new stitch patterns and techniques before embarking on your project.

Why Knit a Swatch?

A swatch is simply a rectangular piece of fabric that you knit prior to starting a pattern as a test. It's made for a few reasons: to see if you like the yarn, the drape, to see if the yarn bleeds, and very importantly, to test the gauge.

Gauge is the number of stitches that fit into rows/rounds per inch. You'll find a suggested gauge in all knitting patterns, the goal is to match the pattern's gauge with your swatch gauge so that your knitting matches the look and final dimensions of the pattern.

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Every Yarn Behaves Differently

Another crucial element to your gauge is the yarn you choose. Every yarn will act differently so you should get to know yours prior to casting on. Some yarn dyes may bleed, some will be drapey while others quite lofty, and most importantly, some yarns grow after being knit.

Because every yarn is unique in its fiber content, spin, construction, and dye, there's only one way to find out how the final knit will look... a swatch! A tube construction with alpaca fiber "blooms" when blocked. Always make sure to wet block your swatch so the fibers can open and settle into their stitches.

How to Knit an Accurate Swatch

Knitting a swatch is a fairly quick task that could ultimately save you a ton of time.

1.    Knit a Rectangle at Least 6"x6"

Most patterns will call for gauge within a 4x4 area. Because of the factors we mentioned above, your gauge may differ, for that reason try at least a 6x6 rectangle. The bigger the better when it comes to accurate measurement later on. You're always working to replicate the tension of your final knit.

2.    Block Swatch

As we mentioned above, some yarns will grow or "bloom" once blocked. The weight of the garment matched with exposure to humidity, any cleaning, and the general elements of being worn will naturally expand the fibers over time. When you block your knits the fibers will open and relax together, smoothing out uneven stitches and allowing for the yarn's natural drape to come forward.

3.    Measure Swatch

We recommend using a metal measurer rather than fabric or plastic. When you have a sturdier ruler you can lightly press it into your knit to clearly see and count your stitches, while fabric or plastic can slightly move about while counting.

Wash your Swatch after you finish it

Always treat your swatch the way you will the finished piece. Some yarns change significantly after a relaxing bath. If you plan to machine wash make sure it doesn’t go through the dryer. For lace patterns, pinning out your swatch is probably a good idea. For more solid fabrics or sweaters smooth the swatch a bit rather than pinning it, to prevent excess stretching.

Keep in mind that swatches are a lot smaller than a finished sweater or blanket, and the weight and construction of the yarn in a large project can also affect how the final product hangs. With a little practice and experience, you’ll be better able to tell how your swatch is working out, and how to make adjustments for a stress-free knitting experience.

Hope you enjoyed this article! Here at Knit-Lab Peru we are committed to offer premium quality products that combine modern technology with ancestral tradition. Contact us if you want to learn more or work with us.