Adventures with a Stitch Dictionary

Do you hate to swatch?

I have read so much on the internet on the importance of making the gauge swatch and how although most of us hate doing it, it's so important when following a pattern. Even when I swatched, I often was pretty dissatisfied with the end result. I think it's the difference in body shaping. The model's version fits so perfectly, doesn't it? So where's my waist in this thing? Why is my neckline 2 inches into my bust when hers scoops attractively below the collarbone?

I kept plugging along. And eventually I found freedom in the form of a stitch dictionary and my own personal measurements. The stitch dictionary came my way thanks to Mom, who was cleaning out her Craft Room. It languished a few years, while I plodded with someone else's pattern and got something that didn't fit. One day, I was looking for information on how to convert a row pattern into knitting in the round and I cam across this article in www.knitty.com called Knitting by the Numbers in the Winter '04 issue. Brilliant! From the article, I learned not only how to knit in the round, but how to knit to my measurements in any pattern I desired. Wow! From my beginner/intermediate standpoint, it was like jumping out of an airplane.

I made a really cute stockinette stitch mercerized cotton t-shirt (with a waist where my waist actually is!). Then I thought, what else can I do? And I dug out the stitch dictionary.

Now swatching is so much fun. Because it's My idea, My pattern, and I will make a gauge swatch to know how much to cast on, or what needle size looks best with my crazy stash of yarns. I use the stitch dictionary for everything - socks, tops, trims, even toys.

Combining the stitch dictionary with knitting a gauge swatch is simple. Find your pattern you like. First, see what the yarn label recommends. If it's 4 stitches per inch, that means casting on 16. But, if your stitch dictionary says the pattern works as a mulitple of 6 plus 3 stitches, casting on 16 won't work. Multiple of six means either 12 (plus 3) or 18 (plus 3). So cast on either 15 or 21 to knit a 4" length or more. 15 sounds reasonable. Then knit away, admiring your planning, and take care to measure how many stitches per inch in that pattern you are actually producing. Once you get that figure, ignore the yarn label specs and go with your own hand and your own body.

The gauge swatches are piling up. Fortunately I have three daughters who like to use them as rugs in their doll houses. Felted ones we use as patches or pockets on pants. They make nice coasters, too.

The main difference since exploring with my stitch dictionary is when I knit something for a family member, I have to pester them with my tape measure for a few minutes. I want it to fit, after all. Even around the ankles if it's a sock.

So, if there are any knitters out there who felt as I once did, all frustrated with the beautiful patterns created by established designers, cut your ties to them. With a little help from a stitch dictionary, you can design too.

P.S. The photos show just a few of the things I've made using my stitch dictionary.