We all know that making a gauge swatch is important, as is getting an accurate measurement and stitch count from that swatch. But that can be difficult if you’re knitting with a really fuzzy or textured yarn.
What I usually do is just measure the whole width of the swatch and use the full number of stitches I cast on to determine stitches per inch. But those edge stitches can be distorted just by virtue of being edge stitches, so it’s not completely accurate.
If you want to be really scientific about it, work some contrasting yarn into the project as you knit. So, say, cast on and knit the first couple of rows. Allowing a couple of stitches on each side for that distortion I was talking about, lay a piece of yarn between a couple of stitches, work across a set number — whatever the ball band or pattern says should be four inches, for example), then work in another thread in the same manner. Carry the threads up the work every few rows to give a visual border. Then you know how many stitches are inside that section, so just measure and divide.
WEBS has another idea if you can’t be bothered with all that: look at your swatch in front of a window. This should make the underlying stitches easier to see and count. But remember, don’t stretch the knitting as you look or your measurement won’t be accurate.
Have another trick for counting stitches in hard-to-see yarn? I’d love to hear about it.
[Photo via WEBS.]
I’ve been knitting for decades and never thought to use a back-light to see stitches easier. What a great idea!