Oh my goodness! You are a goddess!! I just had to say that. You cleared up SO many questions I had about swatching in the round. You are my go-to knitting guru. Thanks, Suzanne!
I’m preparing to knit my first sweater, a top down seamless from a Craftsy class. The teacher recommended a flat swatch and several YT tutorials recommend in the round with the floats. The reasons are that it is quicker than in the round properly done. I done care about quick, but about accuracy. Thanks so much for this video, I will knit a large swatch ITR.
You just resolved my snug cardigan mystery. I swatched so carefully, but I swatched flat and knitted in the round. (I did check gauge as I went, but thought it was close enough to block out - like your example, it wasn't very far off, but that quarter stitch per inch makes a difference when you're talking about something the size of a garment!) And, yes, the sleeves fit fine. Thank you, Suzanne!
Decimals matter! The swatch that was knit flat was 4.9 st/in. The swatch knit ITR was 5.2. That means there is a 6% difference - the garment knit in the round will be 6% smaller than the one knit flat. That may not matter but it could with a garment that has very little ease. It means that a 40” sweater is actually going to be 37” if I knit it ITR.
Great comment! Thank you! Exactly. That is why you need to do the swatches and then adjust your needle size as needed. That is what this video is all about.
Totally agree about the round swatch NOTa favorite with the long back floats! I also think that another important swatch purpose is to measure knitting in one’s normal flow- which is not happening when the long float method. Love your analysis Suzanne. Thank you!
I wanted to add something I just tried with a gauge swatch in the round with the icord method. It is possible to do the icord method but actually knit the string that runs across the back into the swatch and have a flat swatch without all of those strings. TechKnitting and Patty Lyons have information about this. I'm not saying I'm a fan of this but I did just learn that it could be done.
Thank you for this clear video. I always gauge quickly because I can't wait to start something new. But from now I will do it your way because I can see now that it really makes a difference 👌💕
Ouch. This explains why the one time I tried that yarn flapping method it resulted in a failure. The real in the round gauge must have been so different. My lifelong experience alas is that gauge swatches are often an inaccurate prediction of what is going to happen with a full size piece of knitting. I sill end up ripping out from time to time and having to change my stitch count.
The trick it to block the swatch, and then let it rest, and carry it around with you for awhile (days) before you measure the gauge. That keeps the swatch from lying to you. Happy knitting.
Thank you for your very detailed video. Please clarify your comment about going up or going down in needle size if your stitch gauge is different knitted flat or knitted round. I have less stitches in an inch when I knit flat as compared to knitting round. Exactly as you pointed out I recently made a sweater that started with knitting flat and then changing to knitting in the round. My difference in gauge is very noticeable in the finished sweater. If I understand your comment correctly, I should accommodate my reduced stitch gauge in the flat by decreasing my needle size, as this will increase the number of stitches. Then change to a larger needle size in the body that is knit in the round. Do I have this right?
Yes, you are correct. But the ultimate answer would be to figure out why your gauge is different. Yours sounds like your purls are larger than your knits. It may be that the purls are loose, or it could be that the knits are too tight. Either way, you can work on evening them up, and then you won't have to worry about changing needles sizes. Happy knitting and Happy Holidays.
The one time I tried the yarn flapping method I cut off the yarn strings so it would lie flatter. Of course if you do that, you can’t reuse the yarn so you must have a lot extra.
I want to do a thrum toddler hat. Are you swatching for tiny projects knit in the round? I feel like you basically need to swatch the entire project to take into account increases or decreases, even more so if thrums are involved.
I did swatch it and did not notice any difference in gauge. But it took a lot longer to do the swatch. It was about the same amount of fiddling as pulling the yarn across the back of the work. The edges were neater though.
For swatching in the round you can use magic loop or two 24 inch circulars. Ideally these should be the same needles that you plan to knit your garment.
I searched “Suzanne bryan how to knit a swatch in the round” and nothing came up for your name. Do you have a video on how you knit this tube swatch in the round? I’ve started to knit a swatch in the round with magic loop and it’s so cumbersome, I don’t feel this is an accurate way to get my gauge. I’ve watched videos where some have the yarn from the ball coming off the top needle and I’ve also seen videos where the yarn from the ball is coming off the bottom needle. Is one of these methods turning inside out?
Hi Duckster, I do have this video that may help ruclips.net/video/0nECq0TZS8E/видео.html, I touch on swatching in the round near the end (best to watch the entire vid). I also have a more comprehensive video titled, Foundation Skills for Knitting in the Round that may help, ruclips.net/video/l8rlWN7z3aA/видео.html. And yes, one method would be turning inside out. 😊
@@SuzanneBryan This is the third times I have watched the video, I did just as you said. I divided the sts by the measurement got 16 stitches and 1.78 = 8.9 now how does that give me 4? or Not?
Suzanne, I've been using the (admittedly unattractive) "floats" method for swatching in the round because I can use the exact same needles I'll use for the project. If I'll be knitting my sweater on, say, my ChiaoGoo lacetip circulars, I don't want to swatch with my Knitters' Pride DPNs. So I guess my question is, do you have circulars and DPNs from the same manufacturer, to facilitate swatching in the round? Or-do you swatch on 9" circulars? (I also suspect my tension is also slightly tighter on DPNs than on circulars, because of that little tug I give the second stitch after each needle change.)
My answer is that I use 24" circulars to work in the round. If the circumference is smaller, I use two at the same time. Sort of like magic loop but different. I highly recommend it. 🧶 I always use the exact same needle that I am going to knit the project with.
@@SuzanneBryanMargot shared your trick with me and I recently tried mid project, having had problems with even stitches especially where the markers were and I needed to increase. It's so much easier, quicker and more regular (even with discounter bamboo needles and Knitters Pride/Knit Pro wood mixed). My tension tends to vary as I often knit late at night. Your advice is a total game changer as always ❤
Oh my goodness! You are a goddess!! I just had to say that. You cleared up SO many questions I had about swatching in the round. You are my go-to knitting guru. Thanks, Suzanne!
So glad the "Yarn Whisperer" had AV on this topic. U have the best knit AV tutorial. Now have to buy calculator for fitted knitting. 😊
😊 Thank you so much, Masz! I really appreciate your great feedback! ❤️
I’m preparing to knit my first sweater, a top down seamless from a Craftsy class. The teacher recommended a flat swatch and several YT tutorials recommend in the round with the floats. The reasons are that it is quicker than in the round properly done. I done care about quick, but about accuracy. Thanks so much for this video, I will knit a large swatch ITR.
Wonderful. So glad to be of help.
Reviewing nearly 3 years later! It never hurts to refresh your memory.
Cheryl, I agree! ❤️
You just resolved my snug cardigan mystery. I swatched so carefully, but I swatched flat and knitted in the round. (I did check gauge as I went, but thought it was close enough to block out - like your example, it wasn't very far off, but that quarter stitch per inch makes a difference when you're talking about something the size of a garment!) And, yes, the sleeves fit fine.
Thank you, Suzanne!
Excellent example. Thank you for sharing. Happy knitting.
Decimals matter! The swatch that was knit flat was 4.9 st/in. The swatch knit ITR was 5.2. That means there is a 6% difference - the garment knit in the round will be 6% smaller than the one knit flat. That may not matter but it could with a garment that has very little ease. It means that a 40” sweater is actually going to be 37” if I knit it ITR.
Great comment! Thank you! Exactly. That is why you need to do the swatches and then adjust your needle size as needed. That is what this video is all about.
Totally agree about the round swatch NOTa favorite with the long back floats! I also think that another important swatch purpose is to measure knitting in one’s normal flow- which is not happening when the long float method. Love your analysis Suzanne. Thank you!
I totally agree!
Yes, I tried the long floats and I didn't like it. Thank you Suzanne!
I like how you explained this thank you
I wanted to add something I just tried with a gauge swatch in the round with the icord method. It is possible to do the icord method but actually knit the string that runs across the back into the swatch and have a flat swatch without all of those strings. TechKnitting and Patty Lyons have information about this. I'm not saying I'm a fan of this but I did just learn that it could be done.
Knitting the swatch in the round worked perfectly for me. Thank you so much! I would never have known about it if you hadn't shown us.
Wonderful Barbara. Happy knitting.
Thank again. I like the idea of counting the viable stitches then measuring. 😊
Me too. Happy knitting.
Thanks for the video. That yarn is such a gorgeous color & it shows up very well on the video even on my phone.
Thanks. It is my current color for videos, until it runs out.
Very helpful video Suzanne, thank you!
You are welcome. Happy knitting.
Thank you for this clear video. I always gauge quickly because I can't wait to start something new. But from now I will do it your way because I can see now that it really makes a difference 👌💕
You are so welcome, Anne-Marie! ❤️
This was so helpful thank you for all that you do Suzanne :)
You are so welcome! Happy Holidays.
I love your video
Ouch. This explains why the one time I tried that yarn flapping method it resulted in a failure. The real in the round gauge must have been so different. My lifelong experience alas is that gauge swatches are often an inaccurate prediction of what is going to happen with a full size piece of knitting. I sill end up ripping out from time to time and having to change my stitch count.
The trick it to block the swatch, and then let it rest, and carry it around with you for awhile (days) before you measure the gauge. That keeps the swatch from lying to you. Happy knitting.
Knitting with Suzanne Bryan wow, I will try that.
Excellent explanation! Got it!
Wonderful Barbara Hermsmeyer! Happy Knitting.
Thank you for your very detailed video. Please clarify your comment about going up or going down in needle size if your stitch gauge is different knitted flat or knitted round. I have less stitches in an inch when I knit flat as compared to knitting round. Exactly as you pointed out I recently made a sweater that started with knitting flat and then changing to knitting in the round. My difference in gauge is very noticeable in the finished sweater. If I understand your comment correctly, I should accommodate my reduced stitch gauge in the flat by decreasing my needle size, as this will increase the number of stitches. Then change to a larger needle size in the body that is knit in the round. Do I have this right?
Yes, you are correct. But the ultimate answer would be to figure out why your gauge is different. Yours sounds like your purls are larger than your knits. It may be that the purls are loose, or it could be that the knits are too tight. Either way, you can work on evening them up, and then you won't have to worry about changing needles sizes. Happy knitting and Happy Holidays.
The one time I tried the yarn flapping method I cut off the yarn strings so it would lie flatter. Of course if you do that, you can’t reuse the yarn so you must have a lot extra.
Exactly. I am not a fan of that method. Happy knitting.
Im very new to knitting and was wondering if I need to block when using acrylic yarn
Most likely not.
Can I use a 9" circular instead of using two circulars?
I want to do a thrum toddler hat. Are you swatching for tiny projects knit in the round? I feel like you basically need to swatch the entire project to take into account increases or decreases, even more so if thrums are involved.
For tiny projects, yes the swatch can be the size of the project. So maybe the first one will work, or be a swatch. That's how i look at it. 🧶
@@SuzanneBryan thank you ❤😘😘
🧶
Did you swatch the method advocated by djinnj? Did you notice any difference?
I did swatch it and did not notice any difference in gauge. But it took a lot longer to do the swatch. It was about the same amount of fiddling as pulling the yarn across the back of the work. The edges were neater though.
But for swatch in the round, you'll have to use the magic loop?
For swatching in the round you can use magic loop or two 24 inch circulars. Ideally these should be the same needles that you plan to knit your garment.
@@SuzanneBryan
thanks 😊
I see most people cut the yarn strands after blocking on the "disaster" swatch. Makes it flat.
I searched “Suzanne bryan how to knit a swatch in the round” and nothing came up for your name. Do you have a video on how you knit this tube swatch in the round? I’ve started to knit a swatch in the round with magic loop and it’s so cumbersome, I don’t feel this is an accurate way to get my gauge. I’ve watched videos where some have the yarn from the ball coming off the top needle and I’ve also seen videos where the yarn from the ball is coming off the bottom needle. Is one of these methods turning inside out?
Hi Duckster, I do have this video that may help ruclips.net/video/0nECq0TZS8E/видео.html, I touch on swatching in the round near the end (best to watch the entire vid). I also have a more comprehensive video titled, Foundation Skills for Knitting in the Round that may help, ruclips.net/video/l8rlWN7z3aA/видео.html. And yes, one method would be turning inside out. 😊
How do you figure the gauge when it states 25 sts/32 rounds should equal 4 " how do I know if I have 4 inches?
Watch the video again. I do go through how to calculate the gauge over 4".
Then ask me again if you still don't understand.
@@SuzanneBryan This is the third times I have watched the video, I did just as you said. I divided the sts by the measurement got 16 stitches and 1.78 = 8.9 now how does that give me 4? or Not?
Suzanne, I've been using the (admittedly unattractive) "floats" method for swatching in the round because I can use the exact same needles I'll use for the project. If I'll be knitting my sweater on, say, my ChiaoGoo lacetip circulars, I don't want to swatch with my Knitters' Pride DPNs. So I guess my question is, do you have circulars and DPNs from the same manufacturer, to facilitate swatching in the round? Or-do you swatch on 9" circulars? (I also suspect my tension is also slightly tighter on DPNs than on circulars, because of that little tug I give the second stitch after each needle change.)
My answer is that I use 24" circulars to work in the round. If the circumference is smaller, I use two at the same time. Sort of like magic loop but different. I highly recommend it. 🧶 I always use the exact same needle that I am going to knit the project with.
@@SuzanneBryanMargot shared your trick with me and I recently tried mid project, having had problems with even stitches especially where the markers were and I needed to increase. It's so much easier, quicker and more regular (even with discounter bamboo needles and Knitters Pride/Knit Pro wood mixed). My tension tends to vary as I often knit late at night.
Your advice is a total game changer as always ❤
🧶
@@SuzanneBryan Hi Suzanne, how do you knit with 24" circulars with only 40 stitches?
@@SuzanneBryan oh nevermind, i see you said you use two circulars.
Very detail video Suzanne, thank you!
You are very welcome Fatima de Haan! Happy knitting.