How to Count Hard-to-See Stitches

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.]

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If you’re new to lace knitting or just aren’t sure how to incorporate the technique into garments, check out these tops and sweaters that use lace as a decorative element.

The easiest lace out there is eyelets, and you can practice them plenty with this eyelet covered sweater from Knitcro Addict. It uses light/DK weight yarn and is worked in four pieces knit flat. It’s intended to be a little cropped and a little oversized, and includes sizes XS to XXL in the pattern.

If you’re in parts of the world where it’s getting colder as you read this, the Nora sweater from Bummbul might be a good choice. This is actually a great one for learning lace because it’s worked in super bulky yarn, which makes it easier to see what you’re doing and makes the lace super graphic. This one just comes in one size, with a 42 inch (106) cm bust, but that could fit a variety of people depending on how much ease you like.

Minimi Knit Design has a cute allover lace cardigan worked in one piece from the bottom up. It’s worked in lace weight mohair held double, which maybe isn’t the best for those new to lace (because it can be hard to rip out) but it sure is pretty. Sizes range to fit from 30 to 66 inches/76 to 168 cm bust measurements.

If you’d rather not have lace all over your sweater, you can knit the Lumi sweater from Originally Lovely, which has a chevron lace pattern on the yoke and is otherwise worked in reverse stockinette stitch. (It’s worked inside out so you don’t have to purl every stitch.) The pattern has 9 sizes from XS to 5XL and uses worsted weight yarn.

Or try the super romantic sookie blouse from Trust the mojo (available on Ravelry). This sweet top is started working flat from the bottom up and has a V-neck and I-cord edgings. The sleeves are worked separately in the round, and the pieces are all joined together to work in one piece to finish off the top. It comes in eight sizes and is available in English and French.

You can also pair lacy sleeves with an otherwise plain top, like on the Starflower Wrap from Annelise Driscoll Gingrow. This intermediate pattern makes a wrap sweater with generous lacy sleeves and a double wrap belt. The pattern has nine sizes, from XS to 5XL, and is available for free from Hobbi.

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