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Gauge

3986 views 5 replies Latest reply: June 14, 2014 at 12:36:38 AM

Member since:
Jun 10, 2014
Posts: 3

Knitpicky message #1
Gauge
June 10, 2014 at 3:09:19 AM

Hello. Your free pattern generator is amazing!! One question I had is how do I determine what gauge that I should knit to ensure that my picture is not distorted? Thanks for your help!

Linsie

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Member since:
Jul 1, 2009
Posts: 4610

Stitchboard Admin message #2
Re: Gauge
June 10, 2014 at 9:57:04 PM (in response to Knitpicky message #1)

Linsie,

Hi, and welcome!

The patterns created with the Free Pattern Wizard aren't keyed to a specific gauge. It's too complex even for me to understand, but it has to do with the math involved with graphics, which doesn't match up with the math involved with knitting. And as you've undoubtedly noticed, though you can swatch to your heart's content, the fact is that your gauge will also not be an exact science, as even measuring swatches is inexact!

The best we can do is to offer a rectangular stitch which should fairly closely mimic a knit stitch. It's doubtful there's a lot of variance in ratios between stitches, even with carefully measured gauges.

That said, are you finding that your pictures are distorted? If so, we'd definitely like to know!

Melanie (cat slave and Official Feline Can Opener) =^.^=
~~~~~
I'm a beading, knitting and crochet addict. If that means I'm admitting I have a problem, then I admit to nothing. Please refrain from helping me.

Member since:
Jun 10, 2014
Posts: 3

Knitpicky message #3
Re: Gauge
June 11, 2014 at 2:50:27 PM (in response to Stitchboard Admin message #2)

Thanks Melanie. I haven't started my pattern yet. I didn't want to get too deep into the work and realize that I picked the wrong needles or yarn. I think that I can determine what my swatch should be if you could provide me with the aspect ratio at which the pattern is created. Is is 4:5?

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Jul 1, 2009
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Stitchboard Admin message #4
Re: Gauge
June 11, 2014 at 10:45:05 PM (in response to Knitpicky message #3)

Linsie,

You're very welcome!

A 4:5 ratio (or 5:4, depending on your gauge) would be a .80 aspect ratio. The Free Pattern Wizard creates a .75 aspect ratio, which is very close. Again, there's no exact mathematical match to it in graphics...LOL, sigh, don't ask me to explain it, because my understanding is very, very rudimentary, and while I can (somewhat) understand it, I can't explain it easily!

And the technical part of it notwithstanding, remember, measurements aren't an exact science when it comes to yarn, sigh, since there are so many variables...size of yarn, tension, needle or hook size, etc.

Perhaps there's a mid-ground to all of this...would it be possible to test a small portion of your pattern, some part of it that you're particularly worried about, to see if it's a close enough match?

HTH!

I'm sorry there's not a more concrete answer to your question, but I don't want to give you incorrect information.

Member since:
Jun 10, 2014
Posts: 3

Knitpicky message #5
Re: Gauge
June 13, 2014 at 12:54:54 AM (in response to Stitchboard Admin message #4)

This is great information. I'll give my pattern a go and keep my fingers crossed!!! Thanks again.

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Member since:
Jul 1, 2009
Posts: 4610

Stitchboard Admin message #6
Re: Gauge
June 14, 2014 at 12:36:38 AM (in response to Knitpicky message #5)

Linsie,

You're very welcome...please do let us know how the test portion of your pattern works out...holding my breath it will all work out great!

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