What's your tension like?

[susanjp]

Which size of needles are you using for the main body of your soakers, and what do you reckon your tension works out at?

I mainly use Fisherman's brand wool and I'm using a US size 6 with tension about 5 stiches and 7 rows per inch. Is that about right?

Thanks, Susan :)

[pmcgary]

I am apparently a loose knitter.

I typically use size 5s for soakers and get about 5.25 stitches per inch and don't worry about the rows :D

I have knit some on size 4s but don't recall what my gauge was.

I find I am generally a needle size smaller than what the pattern calls for.

[amyrobynne]

Using Cascade 220, I got 5 st/in using 5's. Guess that makes me a loose knitter too! Going a needle size down usually works for me too.

[pageta]

I generally use a size larger than the pattern calls for. However, I'm teaching myself to knit continental style so that may change my gauge.

[pmcgary]

The tenstion will or at least can change over time. I started out knitting very tight. I would automatically go up a needle size. Now it is exactly the same amount off but in the loose direction.

The lady at the LYS told me she was surprised that I was knitting looser as a mom. And that day I only had one child with me!!

I guess this new information is all I need to give myself permission to toss or tear apart the UFO from Seventeen Mag. back in the 1980's. (Two sweater vests I started. If they are anything like the sweater I did finish it would take forever----I didn't check gauge and had changed the yarn ...it is the warmest, densest sweater but took forever to finish) :oops:

[KnitInYourPantsMama]

yowza!
Well, I mostly knit by machine, but when I handknit a soaker I use a no 2 on the flat parts and a 3 circular! I use a 2 for the ribbings too. I get about 5-1/2 st per inch.
I guess I am super loose!

Elizabeth

[pamelamama]

with fisherman's I use sevens for the body and fours for the ribbing. I get five stitches per inch on the sevens.

in bulky yarn I"m generally using a nine. I had been using 10.5 but the work was really stretchy.

I try to use the largest size possible for the fastest result!

I'm an even knitter and I usually get gauge right on.

:moon

[ladydemetreis]

I just started using my Fisherman's wool and get a gauge of 6 with size 8's. I unfortunately do not own anything smaller than that.