Gauge swatch verses Tension Swatch

TENSION SWATCH

When I pick up a new cone of yarn, I can't wait to thread up my machine and see what the yarn looks like. From the initial cast on, I start guessing what setting on my tension dial I need to use. I knit a few inches and reach down and start to feel the resulting fabric.

Once I get a feel for the yarn (what machine, general tension setting at stockinette, etc) I create a tension swatch. This helps me fine-tune the tension needed to achieve the fabric I like and allows me to play with various techniques. I'm often very surprised that a yarn looks great in tuck, and awful in slip, for example. Adding a few eyelets here and there tells me if the yarn will work up in lace.

Let's practice knitting a tension swatch.

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TENSION SWATCH