Hello! If you have found this page, it should be safe to say that you would like to learn as much as you can about gauge.
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Materials that would make your life easier when measuring gauge:
There is so much to learn about gauge, let’s break it down into just a few steps. I am using US terms in this tutorial.
- What is Gauge?
- How to measure gauge
- Matching your gauge with the gauge listed in a pattern.
WHAT IS GAUGE?
Gauge is defined by Merriam-webster.com as “The firmness of a knitted fabric expressed by the number of loops per unit width.”
In my own words I think of gauge as a way of measuring your knitting or crochet.
Everyone knits or crochets differently and gauge is a standardized way of measuring your work.
HOW TO MEASURE GAUGE
When purchased at the store skeins of yarn will have information listed on the label.
The label will tell you:
- The WEIGHT of the yarn, usually with a number.
- the size of needles or hook and stitch to use with the yarn in order to achieve a 4″x4″ test square (gauge swatch).
If you need help with basic crochet stitches you can find a step by step picture tutorial on the learn basic crochet stitches page. - Sometimes the label will list care instruction. (see photo below)
The smaller the number of weight, the thinner/finer the yarn is.
A yarn with a weight of 6 or 7 is bulky and BIG!
When learning how to measure gauge we need to know how to read and understand how it is shown on different yarn labels.
On the first label below the information is written out in text.
On the second label below the information is shown using pictures.
In the above photo this yarn is a fine #2 weight.
This gauge tells you that to crochet a 4×4″ square you need 20 sc and 24 rows with a size E hook.
To knit a 4″x4″ square you need 24 st. and 33 rows with US size 4 needles.
In the above photo the first box tells you the yarn weight.
This yarn is a medium #4 weight.
The second box tells you the information you need for knitting a 4″x4″ square.
To knit you need 18 st. and 24 rows with US 8 needles.
The third box tells you the information you need to crochet a 4″x4″ square.
To crochet you need 13 sc and 14 rows with a US H hook.
This information on the label lets you know how many stitches and rows to crochet or knit in order to achieve a 4″x4″ square.
Gauge is an important piece of information when creating an item of a specific size (I.E a sweater or dress).
In order to learn about gauge we need to know how it is measured.
Gauge is often measured in a 4″X4″ square.
It is usually listed on the yarn label or in the pattern details what type of stitch/pattern was used to achieve the gauge.
In the first photo above the label reads in order to crochet a 4″x4″ square you need 20 single crochet (sc) and 24 rows using an E hook .
It also says to knit a 4″x4″ square you need 24 st. and 33 rows with size 4 needles.
When you read a pattern, the designer always lists the gauge they used in the pattern. If you replicate the same gauge with the yarn you are using, your project will be the same size listed in the pattern.
STEP 1: MAKE A GAUGE SQUARE
The best way to learn about gauge is by making a gauge square.
With any item I am making from a pattern I make a gauge square before I make the whole project.
Make the gauge square with the yarn you are using for the pattern a bit larger than 4″x4″ to be able to measure your gauge correctly. (For example, if I was making a gauge square for the #2 yarn listed above I would chain more than required and crochet more rows)
A gauge square, while it can seem like a waste of time, can save you more time in the long run.
When learning about gauge it is important to make sure your gauge square matches the gauge listed in the pattern.
Then the final product should fit correctly according to the pattern size.
If you take the time to make a gauge square at the beginning, you will know if you need to use a different hook/needle to create the specific size listed in the pattern.
The test square is necessary for a few reasons:
- To see if you can meet the gauge listed in the pattern. Many people knit/crochet differently. Some are very tight crocheters and some more lose. If you match the gauge in the pattern your finished item will be the size listed in the pattern.
- If you are using a different yarn than used in the pattern, you will be able to see how that particular yarn works up and feels in your hands. Some yarn is heavier and stiffer than others when worked in certain stitches.
STEP 2: MEASURE YOUR GAUGE SQUARE
I made both a knit and crochet gauge square using the fine #2 yarn above.
The photos below show how to measure gauge.
You need to measure how many stitches there are in 4″, as well as how many rows.
**It is important to measure your 4″ in the middle of the square to get an accurate measurement.**
When I was using the hook/needles listed on the label I was not getting that gauge when I measured 4″.
I needed more stitches and rows in my gauge square to match the one on the label.
I had to go down a needle and hook size to get more stitches and rows in the 4″x 4″ that was listed on the label.
Instead of an E hook, I used a D hook.
The gauge listed on the label of the yarn gives you a way of measuring a 4″x 4″ square.
You do not have to use the listed hook to get the listed gauge.
If you are making a blanket, perhaps your gauge doesn’t matter so much and you wanted to make a pattern with bigger stitches.
You would probably use a bigger hook/needles and get a different gauge.
***The most important part of gauge is matching the gauge in the pattern you are following to be able to create an item of the correct size***
It was 20 sc. Matches the gauge on the label.
Also matching the numbers on the label.
MATCHING YOUR GAUGE WITH THE GAUGE IN A PATTERN
I think of a pattern as a recipe (because I like to cook).
Today I made a Strawberry Rhubarb pie with local ingredients. Recipe can be found HERE.
If I follow the recipe it will turn out as written, or shown (I always like a picture to compare my final result to).
If I alter the recipe, the results will not be as written (or shown in the picture).
When following a pattern it is important to follow the written instructions. Otherwise the final product will be different.
The designer lists a gauge for a reason.
This is why it is so important to learn about gauge!
To be able to make the final product in the picture/listed size.
Each person knits or crochets differently.
In the above examples I needed to go down a size of needle/hook in order to get the gauge listed on the label.
Other people might be able to get gauge using the needles/hook listed.
It doesn’t matter what hook you need to use in order to match the gauge in the pattern.
What matters is that you are able to use the same gauge listed in the pattern to create a final product with proper pattern measurements (and shown in the picture).
Notes on changing hook/needle sizes in order to match a pattern gauge:
- If you have too many stitches or rows in your gauge square as listed in the gauge of a pattern, you need to go UP (sometimes more than 1) a hook/needle size.
- If you do not have enough stitches or rows in your gauge square listed in the gauge of a pattern you need to go DOWN (sometimes more than 1) a hook/needle size *It all depends how each person crochets/knits.
*It also depends on the the weight of yarn and hook/needles you use.
I hope you were able to learn about gauge reading this tutorial.
Just remember the more your practice, the better you will be!
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This is an original Pine Tree Crochet tutorial.
Please do not copy and paste the tutorial onto any other website, use the pictures on this blog or claim it as your own.
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