As mentioned on page 174, the knitting pattern is your road map, and you will need to follow the directions meticulously to avoid getting lost (the most common reason people abandon projects). Be forewarned: It will take time and practice to learn how to decode the pattern’s language, but with perseverance comes mastery—and confidence.
Martha Must
While not essential, a Knit Kit sure comes in handy. I discovered the crafter cult favorite after spotting an employee using the all-in-one accessory case to work on knitting projects while traveling. Holding eight essential knitting tools in one compact container, the Knit Kit is a TSA-approved “Swiss Army knife for knitters” that fits easily in purses or knitting bags.
Knitting patterns often have a series of steps that are repeated several times across a row, as indicated by symbols such as asterisks (*) and abbreviations, to save space. (See chart on page 178–179 for a helpful guide.) When you pause in your knitting project, always make a note of where you are in the pattern so that you don’t lose track of your stitches.
A gauge swatch helps ensure the finished project will be correct. Each 6-by-8-inch swatch allows you to gauge the number of stitches to be worked over 1 inch of knitting, using a particular stitch, weight of yarn, and needle size (all dictated by the pattern).
To determine the number of stitches to cast on for 6 inches of knitting length, multiply the number of stitches in 1 inch of knitting (from the pattern’s instructions) by 6. Then cast off loosely, and lay the swatch flat.
Check your gauge by measuring the swatch. Since stitches at the edges tend to curl inward or become misshapen, measure just the inner 4 inches of the swatch. Place a tape measure parallel to a row of stitches, and count how many stitches (how many Vs) fall within these inner 4 inches, including half stitches. Divide this number by 4, and compare it with the specified gauge. In the example of a 4-stitch gauge, if there are fewer than 4 stitches per inch, your knitting is too loose; use needles a size smaller. If there are more than 4 stitches per inch, you are knitting too tightly; use needles a size larger.
Stay organized with knit gauge cards: write color, gauge, pattern, and other relevant information, then attach a swatch of your project and store cards together. Or use one of many apps that help you keep track of your projects.