bayleafcrafts

[bayleafcrafts]

Obsessed with how this colorway matches my handmade dino stitch marker

[bayleafcrafts]

started a new craft... beading! because apparently I need another hobby where I buy more craft supplies 🙃 I made a cute little Tetris-themed stitch marker

[bayleafcrafts]

gauge swatching!

I wanted to share some things I've learned about gauge swatching and ask the knitting community for your tips & tricks

when I first started garment knitting, I felt like gauge swatching was confusing and tedious. but now, I have come around on it and love my collection of swatch squares

#1: why gauge swatch

aside from seeing if you meet pattern gauge, swatching is super helpful to evaluate the fabric that your combo of needles and yarn will make. the 3 swatches in the photo have the same yarn, but diff needle sizes. extra helpful if you have multiple colors of the same yarn so they can be used for different patterns

#2: the set up

when you measure the 4x4 inch square for gauge, it should be in the center of a piece, not against edges. so I like to add 1 inch to each side. how? I take the st gauge and divide it by 4, then add it to the CO number PLUS 6 sts for garter border. so for a st gauge of 40, I'll CO 56 sts.

#3: garter border

I like to add a garter border to make my swatches easier to block. for the left and right edges, I add 3 sts to each side and use Guri's garter edge method. for the top and bottom, I add 4 rows of garter.

#4: blocking & storing

blocking swatches may not be the most appealing exercise, but it's super helpful to understand how to block your finished piece. takes the guesswork out of it! I also use locking st markers to note the yarn, needle size, and gauge when I'm storing the swatches in case I use the same yarn again in the future!

please share any of your tips on gauge swatching or edits you would make to my process. always looking to learn from other knitters!

[bayleafcrafts]

No, I am not 'hoarding craft supplies.' I am sourcing materials for a very big project that will be revealed to me at a later date- perhaps in a dream.

[bayleafcrafts]

Joined in the round for the Cleo Top! I know it's not popular, but stockinette in the round is my favorite part of garment making

🧶 Country Merino Irrestringibile

📋 Cleo Top by Rust Knitwear

[bayleafcrafts]

Finished a gauge swatch of fingering weight wool yarn that I bought in Italy 🧶 This was actually really tricky to swatch - I had to size down twice because I didn't like the fabric, but am somehow getting the same gauge...

[bayleafcrafts]

Trying to cause an asthma attack at my family's gift exchange. The gobbler. I made 3 of these bitches.

[bayleafcrafts]

Started my first granny square project and I am obsessed. I did, however, choose to use a fingering weight yarn to make a large men's shirt, so we're gonna be here for a while

🧶 Yarn: Hobbi Cotton 500 Cone

📋 Pattern: Fountain Flower Crochet Squares by Stitching Together