Ready ● Set ● Knit: Gauge Swatch

1. Plan your swatch size

Knit a swatch that is larger than the area you plan to measure. Measuring stitches and rows within the center of a larger piece gives more accurate results and avoids edge distortion.

You may use:

• A regular ruler

• A gauge ruler

As long as you have more stitches and rows than you’ll measure, the exact size is flexible.

2. Cast on

Use any cast-on method you prefer. The goal is simply to get stitches on the machine.

One option:

• Pull every other needle forward

• Work an e-wrap cast-on over those needles

Thread the carriage and wiggle and pull to confirm the yarn is feeding smoothly.
If needed, pull down gently on the working yarn behind the machine to remove slack.

3. Add comb and weight

• Knit one row

• Hang the cast-on comb

• Add a single weight

Knit a few rows and end with the carriage on the right.

4. Insert waste yarn

• Remove the working yarn from the carriage (do not cut it)

• Thread a contrasting waste yarn of similar weight

• Wiggle and pull to confirm proper threading

Add a clothespin or clip to the waste yarn tail for extra weight.

Knit 2 rows with waste yarn, then break and secure it with the clip.

5. Resume main yarn

• Re-thread the main yarn

• Wiggle and pull to confirm

• Take up slack if needed

Knit a few rows.

6. Place stitch markers

Markers isolate the stitches and rows you’ll measure.

To place a marker:

1. Create a short loop of contrasting yarn with a slip knot

2. Put the loop in the hook of the needle

3. Pull the needle forward so the stitch falls behind the latch

4. Pull the marker loop through the stitch (manual knit)

Place markers on the left and right needles to isolate the center stitches.

7. Knit measured rows

Continue knitting the number of rows you plan to measure.

When finished:

• Remove the main yarn from the feeder (do not cut)

• Thread the contrasting yarn again

• Knit 2 marker rows

• Break and secure the waste yarn

Re-thread the main yarn and knit 2–3 rows.

8. Record the tension setting

Create a permanent record of your carriage tension directly in the fabric.

Example:

• Tension 6 → create 6 eyelets

To make eyelets:

• Use a single-prong transfer tool

• Transfer one stitch to its neighbor

• Leave the needle empty

• Skip a needle and repeat

Return all needles to working position before continuing.

If your tension is between numbers, establish a simple code that makes sense to you.

9. Bind off

Knit a few more rows, then bind off using any method you like.

Swatches are an excellent place to practice:

• Cast-ons

• Bind-offs

• Finishing techniques

Secure the final stitch with the yarn tail.

10. Dress the swatch

Do not measure straight off the machine.

• Let the swatch rest

• Wash and block it using the same method you’ll use for your finished garment

• Allow it to rest again if needed

This is where you learn how the yarn truly behaves.

11. Measure and label

Using a ruler or gauge ruler:

• Measure stitches and rows between the markers

Attach a tag to the swatch and record:

• Machine

• Tension setting

• Yarn

• Stitch pattern

• Dressing method

• Final gauge

This turns your swatch into a reliable reference instead of a guess.

A proper swatch isn’t extra work — it’s where successful machine knitting begins.