With the pattern chosen and the yarn and needles or hook in place, you are almost ready to begin knitting. At this point, no doubt you’re keen to get started, but a little more preparation time could save a great deal of heartache later on.
Gauge or Tension
These are words which cause many crafters to groan, but they are vitally important if you want the item you’re making to look anything like the original pattern.
Essentially, this is a way of making sure that anyone making the garment is working to the same size as the original designer. Failure to check this could result in a garment that is baggy, or much too small. The pattern will give instructions to check the gauge. This will usually be the number of stitches and rows for a 4”/10cm square, and the pattern used for the gauge. For example, “24 sts x 20 rows for a 4” square over stocking (stockinette) stitch.”
Make your tension square at least twice the size needed; in this example cast on 48 stitches and work for 40 rows. This is because the stitches at the edge of the square can distort the gauge. Once you’ve worked the square, pin out a square 4” x 4” in the middle. Count the stitches and rows to check your gauge. If the gauge matches the pattern, then no further work is required. If you have more stitches and rows, the gauge is too tight, and so the exercise needs to be repeated with a larger needle. Similarly use a smaller needle if the gauge is too loose.
The other advantage of the tension square is that it gives you the chance to try out the yarn and any stitch patterns needed in the garment, to make sure that you like them, before embarking on a whole garment.
Preparing the Pattern
Photocopying of patterns is a breach of copyright. However, it is a sensible thing to do just for yourself, as the copy can be written on and marked without damaging the original.
Read the pattern through to the end before you start. It’s tempting to cast on or make the foundation chain and get going, but it is very frustrating to stop, halfway through an item, because of an instruction that you don’t understand. Make sure that you understand all abbreviations and that the pattern makes sense. If it doesn’t, seek help from experienced knitters, the owner of the local yarn shop, or online through sides such as Allexperts.
Most patterns are available in multiple sizes, and show the instructions for larger sizes in brackets. Go through and mark the instructions for the size that you are making, using a highlighter pen or by circling the numbers that you need.
It can also be useful to list the increase and decrease instructions. For example, if the sleeve instruction is “increase 1 st at each end of every fourth row”, on a separate piece of paper list the rows when you need to increase (4,8,12) etc. And, as a second check, mark next to each row the number of stitches that you will now have. This means that you can keep track of your progress and, if you need to put the work down, you can pick it up again and know your next instruction instantly.
With the preparation work behind you, you are ready to begin. Enjoy your crafting and take pride in the beautiful item that you produce.
Lesley Arnold-Hopkins - Lesley Arnold-Hopkins is a freelance writer whose work and hobbies have given her areas of expertise in a number of fields. She has an ...
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