Blocking Your Swatch

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Make sure to wash your swatch. I know that this sounds easy to skip but it is actually a very important step. By washing your swatches you are finding out how they will react when you wash your finished sweater (sometimes it can be surprising) and you’re evening out the stitches at the same time. Believe me, it’s worth it. Here’s how:

1. Soak finished swatch in warm water for 10-15 minutes, gently squeezing out all air bubbles.
2. Drain sink and squeeze out excess water, being careful not to twist or wring fabric.
3. Roll swatch in a clean, dry towel, burrito-style and stomp on rolled towel from end-to-end.
4. Remove swatch. Fabric should feel damp but not saturated.

Once you have your swatch(es) washed lay your swatch on a flat surface.

Measuring Your Swatch

Using a RULER (not a tape measure), measure 4 inches in the center of the swatch for both stitches (horizontal) and rows (vertical). Place a straight pin in-between the stitch columns to mark the beginning and then place another at the 4 inch mark. Be sure to place the second pin exactly at the 4 inch mark, DO NOT fudge the numbers to get a certain gauge.

Repeat this step TWO MORE times in different areas of the swatch.

NOTE: If you use the above calculator you can skip the math below.

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NOTE: Round to the nearest quarter inch. 1/4 = .25, 1/2 = .5, 3/4 = .75

Stitch measurement 1 = [ ]

Stitch measurement 2 = [ ]

Stitch measurement 3 = [ ]

Then use the following equation to find your average:

Add all three measurements [ ] and then divide by 3 = [ ] (this is your average stitch measurement over 4 inches)

Repeat this sequence for your row measurements

Row measurement 1 = [ ]

Row measurement 2 = [ ]

Row measurement 3 = [ ]

Add all three measurements [ ] and then divide by 3 = [ ] (this is your average rows measurement over 4 inches)

Once you have your average stitch and row measurement over 4 inches use the following equation to find your stitches per inch:

Average stitch measurement [ ] ÷ 4 = Stitch Gauge [ ]

Average row measurement [ ] ÷ 4 = Row Gauge [ ]

Great job!