Swatches lie
Well, we all know that they do it. You knit a swatch, and measure it, and then, using those calculations, you cast on for what SHOULD be the correct number of stitches . . .
and, well . . . you see what's coming, right?
According to my swatch, I had 22 and a fraction stitches over 4"/10cm. The pattern called for 24. Fine. That's close enough to modify fairly easily. My gauge (on size 2 needles rather than the 6s recommended) was 90% of the pattern, so . . . instead of casting on 80 stitches for the back, I cast on 72 and proceeded to knit the first four rows.
Hmm. The whole thing looks rather small. How long is this anyway?? 12.5" That's 5.76 stitches to an inch . . . or 23 for 4." As opposed to the 5.57 of my gauge swatch (or the 6 of the pattern's gauge). Which sounds at least pretty close to right . . . and yet . . . the 80 stitches of the original pattern, at the original gauge, would be 13.3."
So . . . my gauge is actually smaller?? Smaller than the swatch, for sure. Practically unheard of! (We'll just ignore the fact that I'm using needles four sizes smaller, won't we?) Although, it's still looser than the pattern's gauge since I'm getting fewer stitches to the inch.
Anyway, so tonight, I'll try again, and cast on the 80 stitches from the pattern on size 3 needles and . . . see what happens. Obviously careful pattern-math isn't going to help if the swatch is going to be completely useless to me.
Silly yarn, with the mind of its own!
Oh--and this is a free fall I could get behind!
Does this mean we can quit swatching and just wing it?
Posted by: Beth | October 27, 2006 at 08:24 PM
Good luck with hitting the right gauge. Sometimes I feel like it's target practice. If we keep trying, we'll get close to that bull's eye! :-)
Posted by: Becky | October 28, 2006 at 02:39 AM
Not only do swatches lie but if your actual piece is too shallow then that lies too. I found this out knitting afghan squares. I didn't get a true measurement until at least 3 inches into the knitting (depends on the stitch pattern really). I generally swatch for sweaters or afghans but that's about it and to tell you the truth, I'm not sure it really helps much. ;) Good luck!
Posted by: Julie | October 28, 2006 at 06:20 AM
Swatches DO lie. Stupid swatches. ;o)
Posted by: JessaLu | October 28, 2006 at 08:18 AM
I hate swatching! I normally swatch a wee bit and then cast on and see how it does. Normally, that makes me a glutton for punnishment, but I get so antsy to start sometimes.
Posted by: Gracie | October 28, 2006 at 10:49 AM
nasty ol' gauge gnomes are at it again!
Posted by: Teyani | October 28, 2006 at 12:07 PM
Haha...I am a big preacher of getting my customers to swatch for their projects but I hardly do it these days unless the project shows its fangs...like the lacy mohair!
Posted by: Emy | October 29, 2006 at 11:59 PM
I had that very thing happen to me lately. I hate it when swatches are so far off. Hrmph.
Posted by: Laura | October 30, 2006 at 06:33 PM
I hate it when that happens....
Posted by: Chris | October 31, 2006 at 09:58 AM