swatch and guage question

[shannon2108]

I am not good about knitting swatches. I am making this sweater http://www.knitpicks.com/On+Deck+Pul...D50561220.html for my daughter. The pattern says that the gauge should be 18 stitches/28 rows = 4" over St st on us 8 needles. My swatch was 4" wide but 4 1/2" tall. What should I do to adjust? Thanks for the help!

[Braden]

Here are some tips for knitting swatches:

-cast on the number of stitches given for 4 inches, plus a little extra.

-Measure your stitches honestly.

-Stitch gauge is crucial.

-Row gauge is not.

-Always wash and dry your swatch as you would the garment.

-If you do not achieve accurate, gauge, keep swatching on different sized needles until you do.

Does that help?

[Jan in CA]

Here's some help here;
http://www.knitty.com/ISSUEspring03/FEATswatchout.html

[shannon2108]

ok........My stitch gauge is good to go, but my row gauge isn't. If I go to a smaller needle, my stitch gauge will be off. So should I stay with what I did?

[suzeeq]

If you get st gauge, stay with that. To fudge the row gauge when knitting the pattern, you can add some extra rows; most patterns tell you to knit in inches for the length, not rows.

sue

[Braden]

Right, as I said, row gauge is NOT crucial.