Getting Gauge

[Jen]

I also have had trouble with gauge . I went from h to I to finally J. I tried K but that was totally too big. J I did twice and it came out right to the gauge the second time . I didn't think I was a tight crocheter but I guess I am. I just hope my gauge doesn't change during the crocheting of the afghan. I may try the H again and hold the yarn differently. But I know the way that I hold the yarn currently it will have to be J hook.

The most important thing is that you keep consistent through the afghan - you can always compare your first and last motif of a given clue to make sure they're approximately the same and make sure you're on track!

[dcrozier]

During the 2010 CAL, I used several sizes of hooks so I have the same tension problem. I finally cut a piece of cardboard to match the size of the square and each week while I was working on the new clue, I would use the cardboard as a size guide so I did not waste lots of time doing one that was the totally wrong size. That way I did not have to rip out so much. The only one that did not work for was the mitered square and I finally did that one from the inside to the outside.

[Shandeh]

Now that some of us have received our yarn, and are waiting for the first clues, we are anxious to play with our yarn. So, we are making gauge swatches! This gives us the opportunity to get to know our yarn, and know ahead of time that our blanket will be the right size.

Here are the gauges we need to match:

Knit: 18 sts and 24 rows = 4 inches (10 centimeters) in stockinette stitch
recommended needle size 5 mm (US 8)

Crochet: 12 dc and 7 rows = 4 inches (10 centimeters)
recommended hook size 5 mm (US H or 8)

How has your gauge swatch been coming along?

[Shandeh]

Bernat just posted an excellent Gauge Tutorial for us to use for making our swatches!
http://blog.bernat.com/2012/01/17/gauge-tutorial/

[demoralize]

I had never done a gauge swatch before, but I figured since I'm going to be waiting awhile for this to start up, I may as well give it a shot. Apparently I was doing it "correctly" all the time! 4x4, first try, H/8 hook.

But now? Now I have no excuse to keep playing with the yarn.

[Shandeh]

I had never done a gauge swatch before, but I figured since I'm going to be waiting awhile for this to start up, I may as well give it a shot. Apparently I was doing it "correctly" all the time! 4x4, first try, H/8 hook. But now? Now I have no excuse to keep playing with the yarn.

Great job on getting gauge!

Now, you can roll around on the floor with your yarn and have a party.

[bluebird]

Is the gauge made with DC or c1?
I'm Confused

[laurieontheroad]

I am doing the KAL 2012 & received my yarn yesterday (can't believe how quickly it arrived after I ordered it!). I tried a test piece for the gauge and seem to knit 18 stitches in 4.5 inches & 24 rows in 4.5 inches - at least it's square. My question: does this mean my afghan will be bigger than anticipated? should I knit tighter? or change the size of the needles? or just go ahead with what I have?

[Shandeh]

Is the gauge made with DC or c1?
I'm Confused

The crochet gauge is
12 DC and 7 rows for 4 inches

[Shandeh]

I am doing the KAL 2012 & received my yarn yesterday (can't believe how quickly it arrived after I ordered it!). I tried a test piece for the gauge and seem to knit 18 stitches in 4.5 inches & 24 rows in 4.5 inches - at least it's square. My question: does this mean my afghan will be bigger than anticipated? should I knit tighter? or change the size of the needles? or just go ahead with what I have?

Try knitting another swatch with smaller needes. That will be an easy way to fix it.