Wednesday, January 27, 2010

Swatches, STS, and WPI

This isn't a technique rather a place where I can keep record of the stitches produced by swatches so I don't have to keep doing them. 8-P

 
LionBrand, Classic Wool
  • Size 4 needles for 4" = 21sts and 28rows. The Gauge worked as if in the round.
Projects:
Fetching Fingerless Mitts Gauge calls for 21x30. I doubt I'll come closer than that using size 4 needles. My finished length should 5/16 shorter than the pattern indicates.

Vanna's Choice, Denim Mist (4"= 16STS x 22R, size 9). My swatches on Boye circulars:

  • size 6 stst = 17STS / 24R
  • size 7 stst = 17STS / 23.75R
  • size 8 stst = 16STS / 22R
  • size 9 stst = 15STS / 22R
  • size 10 stst = 14.5STS / 20.5R
As my gauge swatches indicate, in order to achieve the recommended sts/rows I need to knit with a size 8 needle rather than size 9 as listed on the package. I'm sure the reason why size 6 & 7 swatches are so close in gauge is because of the tightness of knitted fabric as in the ply of the yarn had reached the knitted point where it where there wasn't enough room to knit smaller because the yarn literally got in the way.
I made a WPI tool (wraps per inch) to try to use to help swap yarns for patterns. It looks pretty good too! Hopefully I've used the tool appropriately and the 10 wpi is correct for this yarn.
The project I'm wanted to knit, Raspberry Bed Socks, calls for a different yarn with a gauge of 24sts and 32 rows = 4". I'm thinking it's nearly impossible to get that gauge from this yarn. So I need to either pick a different weight yarn (DK/fingering) or choose another pattern. I think I'll choose another pattern.
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Bernat Berella 4 - WPI = 11
CROCHET: A 6" x 6" swatch in SC on a size H hook used 35 yards of yarn
KNIT: A 7 1/2" x 7 1/2" swatch in STST on size 8 needles used 35 1/3 yards of yarn
The swatch was a 28 st cast on.
Gauge: 4" = 15 sts and 22 rows
Knit: size 5 swatch
- 18st = 4"
- 28 rows = 4"
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Bernat Alpaca - Natural Blends
Size 10 needle - 15st, 20r = 4"
Size 9 needle ---13st, 18r = 4"
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WINTUK, Caron
Skein gauge = 18st x 24 = 4" on size 8
My Swatch = 18x26.5 = 4" on size 6 (needlemaster)
Good density on size 6 for me