Trying to get Gauge

[TinaPurl]

I'm returning to knitting after a long absence(intermediate level knitter)...
using Rowan wool cotton on Size 4 needles...my swatch is nearly 5 inches
wide...am anxious to start Knucks...do I need to use a smaller needle to
get gauge or could I just knit the Kid's size pattern(Palm is 7 in.)...love your pattern

[pamelamama]

so, what is the actual stitch per inch gauge you are getting?

[TinaPurl]

With the swatch laid flat, unstretched, the gauge is 5 stitches per inch...
re-measured the width, it's 4 1/2 inches, unstretched

[TinaPurl]

I'm getting 5 stitches per inch, unstretched...re-checked swatch width and
it's 4 1/2 inches wide

[TinaPurl]

My gauge is 5 stitches per inch, unstretched. And in re-checking the width I get 4 1/2 inches, unstretched.

(I've tried Quick Reply twice but didn't see anything on the Forum...sorry
if there are multiple replies...)

[TinaPurl]

In re-checking swatch, noticed my needles were #5 instead of #4.
Re-knit swatch with Size 4 needles and gauge was 4 inches wide (6 st/inch) but the length was not right, almost 4 3/4 inches

Believe I can start using Women's pattern and they should come out OK...

[pmcgary]

In re-checking swatch, noticed my needles were #5 instead of #4.
Re-knit swatch with Size 4 needles and gauge was 4 inches wide (6 st/inch) but the length was not right, almost 4 3/4 inches

Believe I can start using Women's pattern and they should come out OK...
With most patterns- and I think it is true for the knucks- the row gauge isn't that critical. Most of the pattern calls for you to knit to so many inches...You just make take more or less rows to get there......(And in so doing may also use more/less yarn - which may be an issue if you are cutting it close on amounts of yarn)

I really must swatch with my yarn....I hope I get gauge b/c I bought the needles especially for this project.

[TinaPurl]

Thanks for the refresher on row gauge...still trying to clear the cobwebs and
remembering all the little how's and why's of following a pattern after
starting to knit again after many years.

I do remember my former practice of just forging ahead with a new pattern
without checking gauge was not a good thing so that's why I was so concerned with my swatch this time....

After all that, it turned out it was plain "Operator Error"!

[pmcgary]

Thanks for the refresher on row gauge...still trying to clear the cobwebs and
remembering all the little how's and why's of following a pattern after
starting to knit again after many years.

I do remember my former practice of just forging ahead with a new pattern
without checking gauge was not a good thing so that's why I was so concerned with my swatch this time....

After all that, it turned out it was plain "Operator Error"!
I have gotten bad about swatching myself...socks seem so weird to swatch so I forge ahead with the motto...it will fit someone. (I do check gauge--after I have knit the cuff current pair is spot on with needles down a size.)