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Puddytat purr
New Pal
United Kingdom
34 Posts |
 Posted - 07/03/2008 : 04:35:02 AM
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I have been knitting for 20 odd years, I always follow a pattern, although I usually substitute wool for wool in same weight class (but maybe different manufacturer/colour etc).
But I have NEVER knitted a square to check my guage/tension before starting the project.
So far, I've been lucky except for a crochet blanket I was doing, following instructions and it was far too tight. I jumped the hook up a few sizes and now it's ok.
Do you bother with the tension squares?
The circumstances surrounding your birth are irrelevent, it's what you do with the gift of life that matters! |
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Queen Knitsalot
Permanent Resident
USA
1331 Posts |
Posted - 07/03/2008 : 05:04:57 AM
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Um, nope. If I am starting a sweater I do the sleeve first and look at it, and if it's allright I continue. Ususally I figure it's bound to fit somebody. I like knitting for the process.
Suzanne
I'm not crazy.....I'm colourful. Sounds better on a resume. |
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knitz2
Permanent Resident
USA
1800 Posts |
Posted - 07/03/2008 : 05:23:05 AM
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depends on what I'm making. I rarely do sweaters but when I do I *never* use the recommended yarn so I want to check drape and st per inch before starting one. I've even done swatches for shawls but to check drape, not size ... I want to see how the yarn and stitch pattern work with 2 or 3 different size needles before starting.
for the majority of things I make, though, I figure the first couple inches of the project is my "gauge swatch".
Keep knitting, this too shall pass. |
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dschmidt
Permanent Resident
3920 Posts |
Posted - 07/03/2008 : 05:34:25 AM
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Always do for larger projects like adult sweaters, never do for children's sweaters, hats or socks.
Donna in VA |
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AuntyNin
Seriously Hooked
USA
771 Posts |
Posted - 07/03/2008 : 05:56:33 AM
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I like to "test drive" yarns that I've never worked with before, often knitting up swatch squares on three or four different sizes of needles, just to see how the yarn works up and what the resultant fabric looks like. That gives me a clearer idea of which of the (bazillions of) planned projects the yarn would be best for.
AuntyNin
Everything happens for a reason, except possibly football. --- Terry Pratchett
http://home.earthlink.net/~lradiga1/ |
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PBELKNAP
Permanent Resident
USA
1127 Posts |
Posted - 07/03/2008 : 07:02:14 AM
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It all depends...
I generally knit close to whatever the gauge is, so if it's a yarn I've worked with before, I'll do what Suzanne does, and just start the sleeve (or some other small part of the project, depending on the project) and then see how I'm doing. If I've never worked with the yarn before, then yes, I'll definitely do a swatch--thank heavens I did one for the Lion Brand Wool-Ease yarn I'm using for the One-Stitch Cardigan. That turned out to be A LOT thinner than advertised.
I find I have to be especially careful when crocheting. Unlike knitting, I usually crochet tightly, so I nearly always have to go up at least one hook size, if not more. So in this instance, I definitely swatch.
*************************
PAM
WIP = Aran Stitch Afghan (crochet), Easy Playtime Set (knit), Patons Cabled Yoke Pullover (knit), One-Stitch Cardigan (knit)
Done this year = Scrap Scarf (knit), Gloves (knit), Mittens (knit), Afghan (crochet), Pinwheel Afghan (crochet), Knit Your Bit Scarf for the WWII Museum (knit - charity), Scrap Sweater (knit), House Socks (knit)
If I could only do this for a living... |
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GGKnits
Chatty Knitter
USA
101 Posts |
Posted - 07/03/2008 : 07:56:06 AM
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| I haven't yet. I've knit some socks and have just gone with the "women's medium size" and have been lucky. I also like the process and try to stick with recommended yarn, etc. but I do knit tight so I could get into trouble. |
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jtamsn
Permanent Resident
USA
1580 Posts |
Posted - 07/03/2008 : 08:22:34 AM
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I'm in with the no's. I've been knitting for 45+ years and have only once knitted a swatch. Have I ever gotten burned? Sure, but only a couple of times. I often check the guage once I have knit a short distance into the project, especially if I am knitting with a yarn that is new to my needles.
judy |
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Jaknit
Seriously Hooked
638 Posts |
Posted - 07/03/2008 : 09:45:00 AM
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No test squares for me either. I usually begin with the back if it is a sweater where slight tension errors can be more easily manipulated and aren't so obvious.
Jan |
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fiberlicious
Permanent Resident
1637 Posts |
Posted - 07/03/2008 : 09:50:26 AM
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Being Jewish, I'm going to answer a question with a question:
Which would I rather do, spend a couple of hours knitting a gauge swatch or spend countless hours, days, weeks and months knitting a sweater that doesn't fit me?
No-brainer. |
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lella
Permanent Resident
9697 Posts |
Posted - 07/03/2008 : 10:02:08 AM
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I agree with fiberlicious. I do a pattern swatch on all new yarns because I don't like coming out with a useless garment. Time is just too precious to me and I don't like wasting it.
Zippiknits
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MindyO
Permanent Resident
USA
2493 Posts |
Posted - 07/03/2008 : 10:24:18 AM
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If it's something that has to fit, then sort of. I don't do a full on test square 4"x4" just a few rows and maybe 20 stitches wide just enough to measure sts/inch. I never concern myself with rows/inch I figure I'll just stop when it's about long enough.
If it doesn't need to fit, like a blanket or something no I don't. I usually just jump right in and if I find it too tight or loose I will rip it out then start over with a different size needle, or hook.
My Flickr pics
Ravelry: MindyO  |
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Mickey
Permanent Resident
USA
1670 Posts |
Posted - 07/03/2008 : 11:54:24 AM
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| Amen, fiberlicious! |
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KathyR
Permanent Resident
New Zealand
2969 Posts |
Posted - 07/03/2008 : 4:03:23 PM
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I have been knitting for a long time (40 odd years) and, until fairly recently, I had never knitted a tension square. I don't really recall any problems, either, even though I doubt that I ever used the yarn suggested in the pattern.
In more recent times however, and not just with my handspun, I have had problems with fit and have resorted to knitting a tension square most of the time. Is this because today's yarns are not spun with the same rigorous specifications as yarns of old? Or is it me?
KathyR
If you always do what you always did, you'll always get what you always got.
My Blog
http://www.flickr.com/groups/kr_members/ (Roselea Fibres) |
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Solaris
Permanent Resident
Canada
4156 Posts |
Posted - 07/03/2008 : 4:32:08 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by fiberlicious
Which would I rather do, spend a couple of hours knitting a gauge swatch or spend countless hours, days, weeks and months knitting a sweater that doesn't fit me?
That's how I see it, too.
I also swatch when I substitute yarns, or need to experiment with the look of the fabric/stitch, or plan to modify a pattern/make up my own pattern. The only time when I don't swatch is when crocheting doilies, since I'm not that particular re. their finished size.
Plus, I despise frogging and re-starting a project, so swatching helps to minimize that.
________________________________________________
Let's be kind to one another.
My Ravelry page: http://www.ravelry.com/people/solaris
Blog: http://solaris-eaglefeathers.blogspot.com/ |
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phlame
Permanent Resident
USA
1547 Posts |
Posted - 07/03/2008 : 5:09:32 PM
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quote:
Which would I rather do, spend a couple of hours knitting a gauge swatch or spend countless hours, days, weeks and months knitting a sweater that doesn't fit me?
Been there, done that! I swatch about 99% of the time.
Shirley Ryan, living in Dana Point, CA
...and dance like no one is watching! |
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BessH
Permanent Resident
3095 Posts |
Posted - 07/03/2008 : 6:15:06 PM
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Almost always, but then - I'm almost always making up my own pattern so I need to know what the gauge is going to be.
If I am following a pattern I pretty much just start knitting away on the project.
Bess
http://likethequeen.blogspot.com |
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llinn
honorary angel
USA
1650 Posts |
Posted - 07/03/2008 : 6:38:15 PM
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my swatches arSeldom accurate. I usually knit a sleeve if I'm worried, but I check my measurements fairly often as I get going. Sometimes I continue to knit for days on something that is clearly TOO large because I am stubbord and don't wish to frog and can WILL the finished object into usefulness (you thought the Vulczn mind meld was cool--you should see the universe altering look of death).
So no swatches, per se, but lots of tape measuring of pieces.
And you can do a lot with pieces that are a littl offsize. For a close fit sweater, a smaller back with two just slightly larger fronts makes a better fitting, nicer appearance. You can disappear a LOT of flaws with proper blocking and finishing.
My mother finished her Stitches sweater last year and came to me in tears. She was done something AWFUL and now one side of the front was 4 inches longer than the other. I took it off, blocked it to size and sewed it back on. Perfect, no ruffling, no stretching. She had pulled it longer in the seaming and made it dreadful. I just smooshed it back into shape and it was fine. This stuff ain't rocket science and it isn't that picky.
Llinn |
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adalton124
Seriously Hooked
659 Posts |
Posted - 07/03/2008 : 7:08:21 PM
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I'm a swatcher generally. I like to see the drape and count my spi, since I tend to knit tightly. Other than that, I'm with Llin - I can block a host of mistakes and general iffiness into a perfectly lovely FO.
Angela |
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TeenKnitter
Chatty Knitter
USA
125 Posts |
Posted - 07/04/2008 : 07:57:00 AM
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I don't normally make things where the gauge matters, so I don't check.
Annie
"If at first you don't suceed, failure may be your style" Quentin Crisp
Please check out my blog!
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watcher
Gabber Extraordinaire
USA
449 Posts |
Posted - 07/04/2008 : 10:15:48 AM
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I don't usually swatch, however I'm almost always knitting socks (I've knit so many at this point, I have a good idea of what will work), hats, mittens, or other small projects - which don't take that much time to re-knit if needed. I don't usually bother with swatching for scarves or shawls either.
For sweaters, I will do a swatch - I substitute yarn, and I'm usually off by a needle size or two from the recommended. Then I check the project as I go to see if it's coming along roughly as expected, as my swatches aren't always at the same tension as my project...
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Tension/guage squares - do you do them?
