Gauge For My Pattern??

[chicagoknitter]

My pattern writes out the gauge as "12 sts = 4" over st st using size 10.5"

So can someone help me determine what this means? I need to use my size 10.5 needles and knit 12 stitches in stockinete stitch and it should equal 4"? Is that right?? So I should be making a 4 x 4 square that should be 12 stitches and 12 rows??? I just got so lost all the sudden.

[Julie]

You should actually mak your swatch bigger than 4" ... the curling around the edges will make it hard to get an accurate measurement unless it's a little bigger. Personally I would cast on 20 stitches and knit for about 5 inches, then measure in the middle.

[nicolethegeek]

That's basically it. I usually add about 50% to the number of stitches I cast on and knit for about 6 inches. That way I can measure stitches in the middle of the swatch where it's more even and will give me a more accurate tension measurement.

[chicagoknitter]

I see, I should do the method of garter stitch for a couple rows and then garter stitch the last 4 stitches at each end and just measure 4" somewhere in the middle and that should equal 12 stitches. It should be a square right? This is 12 stitches across, should I be measuring anything up and down too?

I am sorry this is my very first gauge swatch. I want to make sure to follow the rules and swatch....and I want my sweater to turn out perfect after all the work it is going to take.

Oh and this is on circulars...does that change everything? I read somewhere on this forum that when you are knitting on circs to swatch you could use a method where you drape the strand behind and knit across?? Does this mean I still do the garter or no? I do not knit my swatch in the round do I?

[jessi_9783]

If your item is knit in the round I suggest you should check out this. Once your done with your swatch, cut the floats up the middle, block, and measure. If it's acrylic, skip the blocking because acrylic generally doesn't block. On a side note if you leave your floats long enough you don't have to cut you floats at all. That way on the off chance you run out of yarn you can still use the yarn from your swatch.

[chicagoknitter]

Thank you. I read some things on this site about circular swatching and I think that information coupled with these pictures will put me well on my way. Thanks I am going to try this tonight! Thank you all for your help.