Understanding Gauge or Tension
in Knitting and Crochet
Article by KarensVariety.com

Knitting and crochet patterns include instructions for checking tension before proceeding. The tension will determine the final fit and look of the items you knit or crochet. If you check your tension before you begin, you can be sure that when you are finished, you will have the measurements you want.

Sweaters, dresses and outfits will fit; you won't be frustrated by having something too large or too small, too long or too short. Clothes must fit properly but some items that you make have more flexibility in their size. You might make motifs, edgings or appliqued items such as butterflies which can be made small or large.

Tension means the number of stitches and rows in a given measurement, usually one inch. Patterns give the yarn and needle or hook size used to achieve the finished size given the tension stated.

Keep size adjustments reasonable. With a few math skills, you can deliberately make something larger or smaller by adjusting the tension. This means changing your needle or yarn size. You must also consider the look of the finished item; if you make something too large, a delicate, lacy look might simply look like holes; too small and you could lose the lacy look.

For example, if the tension given with your pattern is 5 stitches to the inch and your tension is 5 1/2 inches your fabric will be tight, and if your tension is 4 1/2 stitches to the inch, it will be loose. Even a quarter of a stitch difference in tension can make an overall difference in measurements.

Make a swatch to check your tension:
Work a four inch sample (a swatch) using the needles or hook and the stitches recommended in the pattern (the edge stitches are not counted in your swatch). Place the sample on a flat surface and mark one inch with pins. If the number of stitches and rows matches those given, you may proceed.

As a further check, you can also mark out a larger size, eg. 3 inches. For example, if the tension given is 5 stitches and 7 rows to one inch, then you should have 15 (3 x 5) stitches and 21 (3 x 7) rows in your three inch square.

If you have fewer stitches to the inch, your tension is too loose, and you should make a new swatch using a smaller size needle or hook. If you have more stitches to the inch, your tension is too tight and you should make a new swatch using a larger size needle or hook. The most important measurement is the width (number of stitches) as the number if rows can be adjusted by working more or less than required.

If you wish to make up your own pattern, knowing how to check your tension can come in handy . If you have leftover yarn and decide to make a scarf, you can make a swatch and then determine how many stitches and rows you need. Using our same 4 inch swatch, if we have one inch = 5 stitches and 7 rows, and we want a scarf that is 8 inches wide, we would need 5 x 8 = 40 stitches. For length, we know that 7 rows = one inch, so 50 inches would require 50 x 7 = 350 rows.

A final consideration: Everyone knits differently and every person who knits can knit differently from one time to another. If you are relaxed your stitches will most likely be looser than if you are tense or rushed.