I have a confession to make.

[flapjack]

In 2009, I have told 37 different people on this board (one of them four times, she knows who she is) to knit a swatch. For felting, blocking, washing, tension, you name it, I've suggested it.










I don't think I've knitted a single swatch since I made DD a cardigan before she was born, back in summer 2005. And then, because I didn't wash the swatch before measuring my tension, I ended up with a cardigan that was far too wide for her. I am, therefore, an evil hypocrite.

Feel free to flame me, or to throw things. I'm sorry for my total lack of standards.

[Krisis]

I totally thought you were going to blow a gasket about how no one listens when you say to knit a freakin' swatch.

I've never knit a swatch, and I know someday I will regret it, but today is not that day.

[DeerMother]

I think it is hilarious that you felt the need to get this off your chest.

I figure a sweater will fit someone or since I'm usually doing top down I can just keep increasing. Hats take an hour so no need to swatch there, again w/ the it will fit someone's head theory. I swatch for socks but am keeping a journal so I can just buy the same brand of yarn and not check gauge. And lace scarves/shawls? What in the world is the point of swatching for that?

[caiesmommy]

I don't think I've ever knit a swatch

Meh, nothing has come out too messed up...yet

[Viola]

Everyone knows it's do what I say, not what I do.

[amandaleigh37]

I've never knit a swatch...

And yeah I have a few things that were too small so you'd think I'd wise up by now. I just get so excited to start a new project... ugh

[Peace+Hope]

LOL!

i hate it when patterns don't tell you what size needle the person used, and ONLY give you these huge swatch measurements! i do knit swatches, but 30 sts by 20 rows?? PLEASE

[MamaWolfe]

I also don't knit swatches, but if I were going to do a large/expensive project, I probably would. It's okay, we're all hypocrites! And when giving advice, better to give the correct advice, always!

[notjustmamie]

A couple of years ago, DH made a sweater for DD. I helped him size down an adult pattern to fit her. He chose not to make a swatch and just used the needle sizes called for in the pattern. DD now has a beautiful hand-knit sweater that should fit her sometime in the next 2-3 years, as long as she doesn't get too tall.

DH has since stopped knitting clothes.

[holliebug]

I don't knit swatches either!

[Knittin' in the Shade]

:non o02

(that's me, with my fingers in my ears saying "LaLaLaLa! I'm not listening to yoooooooooooooooooooooooou")

There's nothing designers like to hear less than, "I never swatches" Seriously, you're killin' me, people!!

[gingerstar]

oh, the horror! naughty naughty naughty!

I like what the Yarn Harlot has to say about swatching - that knitters don't bother, because honestly, when you don't swatch, and you realize your hat/sweater/socks are all wrong, frog and start over, what is the punishment? MORE KNITTING! No wonder we never learn!

Theresa (I actually just tried to earburn you - um, doesn't work here!) if it is any consolation, I just started a pilot cap yesterday, and I do swatch your patterns, because you and I seem to have different gauges, or maybe I push the yarn choices on your patterns.... but I got gauge.

[flapjack]

Originally Posted by Knittin' in the Shade

:non o02

(that's me, with my fingers in my ears saying "LaLaLaLa! I'm not listening to yoooooooooooooooooooooooou")

There's nothing designers like to hear less than, "I never swatches" Seriously, you're killin' me, people!!

FWIW, I know I consistently get the same gauge as you in worsted weight with an aran weight and needles .5mm bigger, if that makes life any more bearable?

[blizzard_babe]

I love the confessions.

I knit gauge swatches SOMETIMES, like when I'm making longies for DS. When it comes to hats, etc... I'm in the "Meh, it'll fit SOMEONE" camp.

[lilyka]

i think I knit a swatch once...because the designer did not give any clue as to what yarn type or needle size to use. I figure it will be close enough. and I reallywouldn't know what to di if I knit a swatch and things didn't line up....

[Marlet]

The only reason I have knit a legit swatch (not just a couple rows and eyeball it ) is because of the Master's Knitting I'm doing. Hard to participate if you don't.

I have a friend who refuses to knit a swatch. Or follow the directions. It drives me batty! I don't get putting in the effort if you aren't at least going to follow the yarn and needle recommendations. Her logic is she's just using the pattern for a base and that she wants her knits to be truely unique. I get that but there are certain "rules" so to speak that have been around forever for a reason. And not because they want your handknit to look just like everyone else.

[channelofpeace]

I know people in all shapes and sizes, I figure if it doesn't fit the person it was intended for, it'll fit someone

[Dukey25]

Ha. I only knit a swatch if I am deviating from what the label says in order to obtain the gauge. I find when using the suggested needles and yarn I obtain the listed gauge. Perhaps it is because I am perfect.....Yeah right.

[MissRubyandKen]

Another who figures it'll fit someone, lol. Yeah I've never knit a swatch, but also haven't had it kick me in the butt yet either, sooooooo, I've not learned my lesson .

[Aurora]

It looks like I am in good company. I rarely swatch. I tend to knit with the same yarn a lot. So, I know that I get 4.5 spi on size 8 needles with Peace Fleece and LTK yarn and I get 7.5 spi on size 2 needles with STR Lightweight. I figure other heavy worsted weight yarn and fingering weight sock yarn should be close to the same...

Everything I knit always fits someone.