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Whose Gauge is it Anyway?

September 12, 2019 by Sarah White

I’ve been thinking a lot about gauge lately. I never seem to get it right.

The gauge on a pattern reflects the knitter who designed the project or knit the sample, the number of stitches per inch she was able to get with the yarn and needles she chose.

There are a lot of variables there that make it likely you would get a different gauge. Using a different yarn of the same weight, needles made of a different material, and just being a different person with a different knitting style all play a role in your gauge.

I’m used to using different needles, or even different weights of yarn, or knitting using the directions for a different size because with my gauge that number of stitches will work for me.

But when it comes to projects that don’t require an exact gauge, it gets even more personal. When knitting scarves or shawls or anything you’re designing yourself for yourself, the gauge listed in the pattern or on the ball band doesn’t really matter.

Yesterday I started work on a scarf (pattern coming soon) with yarn the ball band suggested should be knit on size 11 US knitting needles.

I tried that, but the resulting fabric stuck straight out from the needle, with no drape at all. I wish I’d taken a picture, because it was pretty funny.

I ended up trying four different needle sizes and eventually settled on size 15 — a big difference from what the ball band suggested but what gave me the look and feel I was going for.

The point of this is not once again to tell you to swatch, because you’re probably either a person who does or doesn’t and I’m not going to change your mind.

But I do want you to be open to the beginning stages of a knitting project being an experiment. You’re testing the yarn and needles (and the stitch pattern) to see how well they get along. Everything is subject to change and can easily be switched up if you don’t like the way things are going.

Because if you don’t like it on the needles you won’t want to wear it, use it or gift it, either.

End of lecture.

Looking to chat about Knitting and Patterns? Check out our Facebook Knitting page and our Facebook group dedicated to Knitting and Knitting Patterns.

Looking for more amazing shawl patterns? Check out these Knitting patterns we found on Etsy.

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  • More Tips on Getting the Perfect Knitting Gauge
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Have you read?

Bucket Hat Knitting Patterns

As I was starting to write this post I thought that it was true that I’d never done a roundup of bucket hat knitting patterns before. But then I looked, and I actually did one last year (which you can find here) but there are plenty of cute bucket hats to do another post about, right? 

The one that made me want to write about this (again) is the Red Heart Knit Fanfare Bucket Hat from Yarnspirations. This cute striped hat can be worked in team colors, and while I might prefer a non-acrylic yarn for a summer hat, it would be fine when it’s not too hot outside (or try a cotton yarn instead). 

Claire Slade’s Sunlit Bucket Hat has an angled brim to help keep the sun out of your eyes. It’s worked from the bottom up using worsted weight cotton yarn, and comes in three sizes. You can find the pattern on Ravelry. 

Get a little air flow in your bucket hat with the Shady Bucket Hat from Wool & Beyond. This one uses DK weight yarn and an eyelet pattern throughout the body to keep it cool. It comes in sizes ranging from newborn to adult large, and is worked in one piece from the top down. You can grab the pattern (in English or Swedish) on Ravelry. 

If you’re looking for a fun, floppy sun hat for kids or adults, this pattern from Muki Crafts is a little more slouchy than a traditional bucket hat but it’s super cute. It comes in baby, toddler and bigger kid sizes and adult. I uses worsted weight yarn and is worked from the bottom up. 

Another variation on the classic bucket is this one that’s more of a cloche style. Made by branda, it uses bulky yarn so it’s more of a winter bucket hat, but now’s a fine time to knit it if you live somewhere that’s warm right now (or even more so if you live somewhere that’s cold right now). 

Another one to get you ready for colder weather is Tirmety, a two-layer bucket hat from ViTalina Craft, which has a textured stitch pattern on one side and stockinette on the other. You can wear either side out or even make them different colors if you want. The pattern is sized for toddlers, kids and adults. 

And if you want to add some extra cuteness to your bucket hat, I love this (of course totally optional but also totally adorable) embroidered deatila on the New York Bucket Hat from Pauline Fanguin. It uses two strands of DK weight yarn held together for extra sturdiness, and uses changes in needle size to shape the hat. Of course you could also knit stripes or use different textures of yarn to change up the look. This pattern is made to fit your head and is available in French and English. 

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