When you're knitting, it's all about tension!

Actually, hand knitting is one of the most relaxing and therapeutic hobbies, so where does the 'tension' come into it?

Knitting tension is THE most important factor in determining whether a hand knitted garment will fit to perfection or be a total disaster.

So many people have abandoned the knitting craft, just because the first garment they made was too big or too small.

That's not the time to abandon! That's the time to measure the gauge of your stitches, unpick the garment and knit it back up again but, this time, at the right tension or gauge. Don't forget to check the measurements on the pattern, too. These may also need some adjustment for size.

Some people are tight knitters, some are loose knitters but very few people really knit to the exact tension stated on a knitting pattern.

If you're planning to knit from a published pattern, the required tension for the recommended yarn is always stated. If your personal knitting tension doesn't match the pattern, your garment won't fit!

Investing some time (and a little yarn!) knitting a reasonable-sized tension swatch is the first step to creating a perfect garment. A reasonable size swatch should measure at least 4 inches square.

Accurately measure the number of stitches and rows knitted and compare the result with your printed pattern.

If the tension is too loose (not enough stitches to the inch), try knitting with a smaller needle size. If the tension is too tight (too many stitches to the inch), try knitting with a larger needle size.

Investing an hour or two in getting your tension right may just save you from the 'total disaster' that took you several weeks to knit.

Have you ever heard a woodworker mutter about "measuring twice, cutting once"? For us, perhaps, the secret is in "measuring twice and knitting once"

Copyright 2006 Linda Black