The word Swatch is considered a dirty word by many knitters and sure to solicit a collective groan. Why? And what is a swatch to begin with?

What is a swatch?

A swatch is a small knitted sample. When working with a new yarn, knitting a swatch will show how the yarn feels knitted up and what the stitch count is. I usually cast on 40 stitches and knit in stockinette stitch (knit on the right side, purl on the back side) until my sample is 8 - 9 inches long. Looking at the yarn label will give me a needle size recommendation. Let’s say I start with needle size US 4 and the resulting fabric feels stiff, I can switch to a size US 5 to see if that works better. Trying different needle sizes is important when knitting cables or lace. Also, if I am going to knit a warm cardigan, I may want the fabric to be firm and denser. In contrast, for a lace shawl, I prefer to have an airy, loose result which can be further opened up through blocking. Knitting a swatch allows me to easily test and try to get the perfect result for my project. The pictures below show Color DOMICIL 1 + 2 with swatches.

Getting Gauge

Knitting an approximate washcloth-size swatch also allows to measure the gauge. Gauge is knit-speak and indicates how many stitches it takes to knit one inch. A pattern designer will list her gauge, for example, as 24 stitches/4 inches. Once I have my swatch, I can use a gauge measuring tool to determine if my gauge is similar to the designer’s.

Swatch in color MICHAEL with a gauge measuring tool (available on Amazon = paid link). MICHAEL is a lovely soft Cotton/Bamboo yarn which can be found HERE

The most common gauge tool looks like mine in the picture and is available for under $5. It has a cut-out window that lets me count my stitches. In order for this to be accurate, the swatch needs to be large enough in order not to pull and to accommodate the gauge tool. Some designers even recommend washing the swatch before determining gauge. So why go through all this trouble when I am eager to start my new project??

Save Time + Prevent Frustration

There is a saying in knitting: “Save time and knit a swatch.” This sounds contradictory but is true and is similar to Abraham Lincoln’s famous quote, “Give me six hours to chop down a tree and I will spend the first four sharpening the axe.”

When knitting a fitted garment, like a cardigan or sweater, gauge is crucial. Ripping out half a cardigan is frustrating and upsetting – trust me on that! Knitting a swatch might feel initially like a waste of time, but it is time well spent to produce a well-fitting sweater that can be worn and enjoyed for years to come.

Optional Swatching

Good news! If knitting a scarf or a shawl, a swatch is truly optional and I usually jump right into the project. In this case, gauge is not crucial and I can tell after a few inches if I am happy with my needle size. If I decide to go with a larger or smaller needle, I just start over with no harm done.