Stitches

How can I make my knitting stitches taller?

I am trying to knit a swatch that's 24 st x 32 rows to get 10cm x10cm. I've got the width right, but not the height. It's only 8cm tall. I could add a few rows, of course, but what can I do to fix the size of the stitches? Thanks! the_emrod: But when I do that, my stitches becomes too wide.

Public Comments

1. Bigger needles or a looser tension on your stitches.
2. There is no way to change just the length. The width is the important thing because if the width of your gauge is wrong the garment will not fit. Most patterns tell you to knit until work is ?inches long so the length of your gauge doesn't matter. You just knit till the work is the length required.
3. If you're knitting an afghan or a scarf, exact match with the gauge isn't critical--the finished item will be usable. If you're knitting a garment, it needs to fit the body it's intended for. The only way to get a fit is to make sure your swatch measurements match the gauge the pattern calls for. How to make a gauge swatch: 1. Cast on double the number of stitches the pattern says should be in 10 cm. 2. Knit double the number of rows the pattern says should be in 10 cm using the stitch pattern called for in the swatch instructions. 3. Cast off. 4. Block the swatch the way you will block the finished item. If you will steam the finished item, then steam it. If you plan to wash the finished item in the washing machine and dry it in the dryer, then wash the swatch in the washing machine and dry it in the dryer. If you will hand-wash it and dry it flat on a template, then hand-wash it and dry it flat on a template. If it's for a skirt or pants where length is critical, hang it on a hanger (perhaps with a light weight at the bottom); otherwise, leave it flat for 24 hours. Then measure a 10 cm x 10 cm section out of the center. Measure another 10 cm x 10 cm section in another place on the swatch. If you get gauge on the first try, congratulations! Otherwise, if your 10 cm x 10 cm section (or multiple sections averaged together) has more stitches or rows than the pattern's gauge, change to a larger needle and try again. If your swatch averages fewer stitches or rows than the pattern's gauge, change to a smaller needle and try again. If your swatch has the right number of stitches but the wrong number of rows, pick a solution: 1. Block the swatch again, stretching gently in the direction that will even out the count, then measure again. 2. Change to a larger or smaller needle and re-knit the gauge swatch. Then block it to come closer to the pattern gauge. 3. Accept the correct stitch count and make the adjustment in measuring length rather than counting rows for length. P.S. Sometimes changing to needles of a different material will let you get gauge--from metal to bamboo or from plastic to metal. It might be worth a try.