Notes on gauge, yarn and arithmetic.

The guides follow the order a project usually needs: measure the swatch, diagnose a gauge that will not match, choose a substitute by length, then estimate the quantity.

49 guides

01 · Gauge · 2026-09-09 · 5 min read

How to measure gauge properly

A swatch is only useful if you measure it the way you will wear it. Here is the sequence that produces a number worth calculating with.
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02 · Gauge · 2026-09-10 · 6 min read

Why your gauge is off (and what to change)

Needle size is only one variable. Tension, fibre, stitch pattern and blocking all move the number — here is how to tell which one moved yours.
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03 · Gauge · 2026-09-11 · 6 min read

How to measure row gauge (and when it matters)

Row gauge decides whether a raglan, sleeve cap or colourwork repeat fits. How to measure it, when it matters, and when to ignore it.
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04 · Gauge · 2026-09-12 · 6 min read

Gauge in the round vs flat

Knitting in the round removes the purl rows, and that can change your gauge. How to swatch for circular knitting and what to do if the numbers differ.
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05 · Gauge · 2026-09-13 · 5 min read

How big should a gauge swatch be?

A 10 cm swatch is the measurement target, not the knitting target. How large to make it, where to measure, and what to write down.
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06 · Gauge · 2026-09-14 · 5 min read

How to read a pattern's gauge line

A pattern gauge line is a compact instruction with several parts. Here is what each part means and which number to match first.
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07 · Gauge · 2026-09-15 · 5 min read

How to measure gauge on a finished garment

You can recover a working gauge from a finished garment. Measure the right area, avoid ribbing and seams, and treat the number as a range.
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08 · Substitution · 2026-09-16 · 7 min read

How to substitute yarn without ruining the fabric

Yardage gets you the right quantity. Gauge band, fibre and ply get you the right fabric. Here is the order to check them in.
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09 · Substitution · 2026-09-17 · 7 min read

Wool to cotton: what changes

Cotton is heavier, less elastic and less warm than wool. What changes when you substitute, and where the swap stops working.
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10 · Substitution · 2026-09-18 · 7 min read

Substituting acrylic for wool (and back)

Acrylic is washable and durable; wool is breathable and holds its shape. What changes when you swap them, and where the swap stops working.
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