Preventive Swatching

Most days, I'll be sitting in the LYS, and if I am there for more than, say, 10 minutes straight and paying attention to the conversation, invariably two subjects will be discussed even for just a second. The first one is aches and pains or whoever is sick, has been sick, feeling like getting sick, or managed to miss the latest breakout of the flu, the runs, or chickenpox or who has a suspicious rash. The second subject is swatching.

Usually, the swatching conversation is carefully sprinkled throughout whatever other conversation is going on. It's a subtext, the elephant in the room, the one question that begs to be asked and answered whenever someone's project goes awry, doesn't fit, or doesn't turn out like the one in the picture.

(Whenever someone asks my favorite LYS gal: "Do I need to make a swatch?" She always answers: "Only if you want it to fit.")

So, yesterday, when I walked into the LYS a couple of the gals were actively ripping a garment. The first thing that popped out of my mouth: "Did you . . . "? and after a couple of glares in my general direction, she said she did but the thing stretched as she knit it. Then I said, but did you make a big enough "one" so you could see if it stretched before you cast on? (No answer.)

Now that is the kicker, isn't it? To make a swatch large enough to see how it behaves when washed, hung, or shaken? To see how it acts when it is steamed? To see if it shrinks? To see if it drapes, bags, or sags? Trust me; I know how it feels to really want to cast on a new project, but having been burned too many times to name, I make a swatch pretty much no matter what, except for when I make socks.

I guess swatching, even though it's difficult to make yourself do it, pays off in the end. Plus, there are multiple uses for swatches if you hang onto them. Just think of all the wonderful things you could use them for.

Comments

[rudee]

I don't want my project in the ripping heap because I failed at the task of swatching. I do knit a large enough swatch, bind off, wash, block and then measure. I want to know exactly what it will do to me. Socks don't get swatched though I do make notes in case I want to use the yarn for something other than a sock that will require swatching. Of course, that only works if that something other is knit in the round. The dog looks cute with his swatchy beret.

[Gaile]

Love the puppy's hat (yep, swatches can be used for many things)!

I know what you mean. I've had some run-ins with bamboo yarns. Swatch, get gauge, knit garment.

Discover bamboo stretches, sometimes a lot.

Listen to frogs all night long (rippit, rippit ...)

Btw, that swatch looks interesting - will we see more soon?

[MonkeyGurrl]

I never swatch. I'm a seat-o-the-pants knitter. Of course, I've also never knit anything more complicated than, say, a (felted) bag or a free-form toy. Gotta love that free-form toy stuff - Swatches? We don't need no stinkin swatches!!

Ditto on Rock-OH!'s hat. Double knitski?

[Tana]

But what is large enough? I have a cardigan I knit which is 4" lower at the waist than my "swatch" told me. We're talking 20" of yarn pulling down. In that case, the entire garment is a "swatch." Seriously.

With this particular yarn, some have suggested working with smaller needles in order to counteract the "stretch" that occurs as the garment is worn. I had three balls leftover out of 17, and I did use smaller needles. And it still drapes hideously on me even though when I pinned it together and tried it on before blocking, I had to pull it really hard to get it around me.

So what exactly is "big enough"?

Signed: Burned

[amberincolo]

You know, there is an "anti swatching league" group on ravelry. For those who like to live dangerously. (Not anal-retentive types like me, who are especially offended if the swatching is not predictive of success.)
Swatch on!

[Rachel]

I know a lot of people will (if it's a sweater) just start a sleeve as a swatch and block that part of it...so then you don't feel like you're 'wasting' anything or whatever...

[PrincessPea]

Totally with you on 'doing it'! And afterwards, as well as doggie caps, they can double as dolls' blankets, eye patches or coasters...

[Wendy]

I was thinking of knitting something girly for Girlfriend; something for Spring/Summer, but haven't yet figured it all out. It is a simple slip stitch pattern.

[Mellanie]

Rocko is so cute!

[Marnie]

I'm having trouble assembling a coherent comment because that puppy face is killing me, but um...swatching, yes, it's good, even better if you like knitting things that flatter your actual shape, you know?
Also, Jeeze, if Rocko gets any cuter, I'm not sure what I'll do. He's apparently quite the ham, eh? More so than Chuck.

[darlene]

as a former rogue knitter, i know better than NOT to swatch. i actully want things to fit me and not my mom who's 2 sizes smaller than me or my cousin (who thinks i knit stuff just for her- shh dont tell her) who's 2 sized bigger than me. rocko is a cutie! and what type of camera and lens does HWWV use? i want one!

[Wendy]

Guess what, Darlene! I did that photo! On my new camera!

(His is way cooler than mine. This one is a Rebel xti with a 50mm fixed lens.)

I have a zoom lens, too, but this one is fun.

[Vicky]

What's the stitch pattern in the swatches in your photos? Looks so pretty.

[Debbie]

Oh my and here I thought my LYS was the only place certain people went on and on and on about their sickness/diseases.

I've learned the very hard way even if I check a swatch three times if it is for a large project I need two other knitters to check it for me too. Was positive I had the correct gauge for my Einstein Coat only to have to completely rip out 6 skeins when it became apparent I did not have the right gauge.

[Deanna]

I swatch religiously for garments but not socks, felted bags or blankets. Who wants to spend all that precious knitting time as well as money for a garment that doesn't fit. NOT ME!Love the Rock-O. His eyes say,"I am now loved, thank you"

[Patty]

That Rock-o's a keeper! I swatched three times for my current project - it had better fit!

[rebecca]

Amen, sista!

[Yenni]

Rock-oh is turning into quite the model. So cute.
I am bad at making swatches. I live dangerously too often.. My knitting career is pretty short still, so maybe I'll learn. I know I should, but it is so boring and I can't wait to start my projects usually. But I am sure I'll crash and burn and then I'll be a good girl after that.

[Lisa]

I just start knitting the project and check gauge as I go, although, I am more apt to swatch if it is a gift or I haven't used the yarn before.

What stitch is this?????

[stella]

I GET BURNED EVERY TIME!!
I loathe the swatch. My mother in law is always saying 'did you swatch???'...and if i didn't..she doesn't want to hear anything else.

i try to stick with the yarn the pattern calls for - just so i dont have to swatch.

lazy...lazy...

[Darlene]

wendy, that is an awesome shot! i love the clarity of rocko's eyes....it just says "wendy, i love you, i even love this swatch".

i love SLRS!

[Wendy]

The stitch pattern is a grille pattern that is achieved by slipping stitches.

R1: Using color A, knit
R2: Using color A, purl
R3 & 4: Using color B, k1, sl1, *k2, sl1; rep from * to last st, k1.

If you're knitting flat, you'll want a multiple of 3 sts plus 3 more.

[Lorraine]

That photo is priceless. I was keeping an eye on a download while I was reading your entry, so I had it open in a little window. I didn't see the pup until I finished reading the text and then scrolled down. It made me laugh out loud.

[Michelle]

I teach knitting classes at my LYS and am known to fervently preach the "Gospel of the Swatch." I also make the ladies take each others measurements when making garments. Even though they absolutely "know" what their bust/waist/hip/etc. measurements are. Reality is a brutal bugger, eh?

[Laura]

Oh gosh, I guess I better start washing and blocking my swatches. I'm a slow learner. I do swatch, but I tend to get tired of swatching, measure it prematurely, rip it out, and go for broke. Consequently, I've knit a lot of ill-fitting items. I'm going to be more patient and careful from here on out.
Although of course I LOVE HWWV's photos, I'm looking forward to seeing more Wendy originals with your new camera too! Rocko's a doll.