How to Swatch & Why You Should
A quick Google search for "how to swatch" will turn up hundreds of results, and it's easy to understand why. Swatching seems like a simple part of the process: you knit or crochet a small square, and voila, you've got a swatch. So then, why is swatching such a polarizing topic in the making community?
The most common reason for skipping the swatching process is that makers just want to get to the fun part.
I get it.
Casting on a new project is so exciting! Who wants to delay that gratification by swatching? It's almost as if swatching is just "busy work."
Another common reason makers avoid swatching is that it can be intimidating. Something so small can have such a significant impact on their final product, so it may seem less scary not to swatch.
I hope this guide builds your confidence, helps you understand the swatching process, and even find joy in those little practice squares.
Why I Love Swatching
As a designer, I have a special love and affection for swatching, especially when using a yarn that I've never used before. Swatching is a crucial part of my design process. It gives me the chance to play with the yarn and get to know it better. Swatching helps me understand what kind of drape it will have, what kind of stitches will look best, and get a feel for what it would be like to knit a whole project with it. I want to know if I will enjoy knitting with it and if it will suit the design I have in mind. Sometimes, the swatching process even tells me what the yarn wants to be. I use the swatch to help estimate how much yarn I will need for the sample project.
reasons to love swatching:
Learn what the yarn feels like to knit/crochet with
See how it looks after blocking
Determine which needle size gives you the fabric you like best
Practice new stitch patterns
Check the yarn for any dye bleeding
Check your gauge before you cast on
When Can You Skip Swatching?
Swatches aren't always required. You can generally skip the swatching process with blankets unless you're trying to make a precise size. Some shawls don't need to be swatched since you can try them on as you go and make adjustments.
How to Enjoy Swatching
Knitters and crocheters alike seem to either love or hate the swatching process. For those of you who hate it, here are a few tips to help you enjoy it or at least make it painless!
Pretend it's a Mini Project:
If you need a break from a larger or more complicated project, knit a swatch. Knocking something off your to-do list is fun, and you get that satisfying feeling when you bind off.
Take a Break:
Set aside a special time in your day for swatching. Light a candle, listen to your favorite playlist or podcast, and spend time with just you and your yarn. Swatching can be a relaxing time just for you.
Take it on the Go:
Knit a few rows here and there while you're out running errands. Swatching is great for the waiting room, the parking lot waiting for the kids to get out of school, or even the miles-long Starbucks drive-through line. Before you know it, you'll have a completed swatch and be ready to start your project.
Swatching Best Practices
Size:
Most patterns list the pattern gauge over 4". To get the most accurate gauge, knit at least a 6" by 6" square and measure the gauge across the middle 4".
Needles: Use the same needles you plan to use for the larger project. Your gauge can change when switching from wood to metal or straight to circular needles.
Method:
Use the same cast-on, bind-off, and other knitting techniques you will use in the project. If you plan to knit the project in the round, knit the swatch in the round, too. Don't forget to block it the same way.
Wait:
Let that swatch fully dry after you block it. Wait at least a day after drying before you measure the gauge.
Stitches:
Swatch all stitch patterns used in the project. Add at least 2 selvage stitches to each side of your swatch edge to help prevent curling, and the garter stitch bumps are great for sliding blocking wires through.
Knots:
When I bind off a swatch, I leave a long tail and tie knots in the tail to identify the needle size I used. For example, if I used a size US 7, I'd make 7 knots in the tail.
Buy Extra:
Most patterns should include yardage requirements to have enough for the swatching process. But if you're not sure, get an extra skein. Most stores will allow you to exchange unused, unwound skeins.
A Comment on Measuring Gauge
Use this quick guide for adjustments if you're not getting gauge:
Too Many Stitches: Use a larger needle or a thinner yarn if you have more stitches per 4" than the pattern gauge.
Not Enough Stitches: If you have fewer stitches per 4" than the pattern gauge, try using a smaller needle or a thicker yarn.
Row Gauge: Try using a different needle size if your stitch gauge is spot on but your row gauge is off.