When I have a new project to start, there’s always that first step in the pattern – make sure you knit a swatch to be certain you’re getting gauge. The last thing I want to do is knit some 6 inch square (to get a good 4 inch measurement), or even double that if it calls for swatching in the round.

I know that I’m a fairly tight knitter, and if you’ve been at it for any length of time you know where you land on the tight – loose spectrum. I also know I’m a bit of a risky knitter and willing to take a chance. So I will generally start a project with a smaller size needle than what the pattern calls for, right off the bat.

The Object Is the Swatch

Once the project is on my needles, and I’m comfortable with the stitch pattern, I’ll go past any ribbing or toe setup and complete about 4 – 5 inches. And that is my swatch. I’ll stop and carefully measure my gauge to verify that I’m within specifications, and if I am, great! I’m already into my project and happily humming along. If not, I frog it and adjust.

It is a gamble, and if you’re a risk taker you can ignore all the sensible careful knitters out there and go directly to your project without a separate swatch. Just be prepared and ready to swatch if you guess wrong. I have a 90% complete sweater sitting in my office that was one of my early projects and I didn’t understand the importance of achieving gauge. That sweater turned out to be about 3 sizes too small when I finally tried it on . . . because I didn’t measure early on.

Is This Really Necessary?

For close fitted obects – sweaters, tops, etc. I would say yes, it’s critical to measure your gauge. For accessories like hats and gloves I think it’s important but not as critical. Socks can fall into either category, depending on how loose you can stand your socks to be. But a scarf, shawl, wrap, blanket, towel, etc.? Not fitted objects. Do you care if your shawl is 54 inches instead of 48 inches? Probably not. You are the decider.

The TLDR is maybe that swatching is not important, but measuring gauge one way or the other is critical for fitted objects.

All opinions expressed within are purely my own, and probably dumb . . .