A Reader's Digest of Comments from the Anti-Swatchers Club

How about we end February with a series of comments left on the blog recently related to Swatching With Reluctance, with a few of my annotations. The italics parts are mine.

I have never understood swatching. I hear people talk about it and I know it has something to do with gauge, which I also don't understand. Do you swatch in stockinette or garter or try to follow some portion of the pattern you intend to use? If you need the pattern, what about borders and such?And what's with the washing first? Is this why my perfect project ends up either fitting Barbie or Bigfoot instead of my family after it's washed? I always follow the pattern and the washing instructions for the yarn and nothing I make ends up useable except scarves and dishclothes.

• Commenter name: Pam

(This, my dear Pam, is I suppose why those swatching drill sergeants say you should swatch, though I have never found that a swatch really tells me much except that I am one of the blessed ones who knits on the labeled gauge darn close to 100% of the time. By stating this with such hubris, I am sure I will be bit on the butt for my next project. Also, just start knitting your project. Then measure the gauge. There's your swatch. If it's not coming out right [like my mom's Shetland wool sweater recently, I ripped out 9 inches of knitting because it was too loose, but I maintain that a little 4-inch swatch would not have told me that.] But of course this does not account for stupid annoying, slippery, squeaky, ugly superwash yarns which grow exponentially every time you wash them -- and if that's not bad enough, they pill like a mofo too -- so I just don't use them. Problem solved. Heh. But of course, all this so-called knowledge and all this highly opinionated opinion-making was born of experience. You just have to try and see what works for you. What works for me is what works for most of the rest of these commenters, it appears: Just knit the damn thing.)

Yeah, but when you swatch, you have to do one big enough, you have to measure it, count the rows, then wash it, let it dry, block it and measure again. I could get two sleeves done in that amount of time. Well, maybe if they were barbie sleeves, but you get my drift.

• Commenter name: Stacy

There are lies, damn lies and swatch-lies. Also, I guess I'm kinda cheap, God Bless Me. It pains my cheapsake soul to waste perfectly good yarn to make a #@^&* lying swatch!  <----- ME TOO!

• Commenter name: Joannah

I do swatch, but it is a frustrating experience - my swatches seem to have little relation to the knitted item that follows. (large sigh) Just knowing that you should wash coned yarn is useful. I once used yarn that my sister bought at a farmer's market. I debated washing it, because it just felt - wrong - but in the end did not. It ended up okay, but if I had it to do again, I would go with my gut and wash that thing before knitting, instead of after.

• Commenter name: Robin V

I'm so glad to read the comments from people who don't swatch much either. About the only time I do swatch is if I'm substituting yarn.

• Commenter name: Sandy

I swatch reluctantly, but not if I am very familiar with a particular yarn.

• Commenter name: Cindy

Swatch? I don't need no stinkin' swatch. Well....maybe ...sometimes. Glad you stayed safe. When does Mr. Jeffries come home?

• Commenter name: emmy

<---- He comes home this Friday! We miss each other. Abigail sent this photo of him just looking depressed in his crate.

"OK, I'm in my crate. Can we go home now?!" 

(or maybe I'm reading a bit into it)

I don't like swatches, but sometimes I do them....... I once knit myself an Aran cardigan (unswatched) that turned out to be an Aran bathrobe, size enormous. I'm lazy, but I am teachable!

• Commenter name:  Barbara M.

Swatches, I hate 'em, but I force myself to do them sometimes. Hope things up there get sunny and clear soon!

• Commenter name: Becky  <----------Me too! And so do my little seed babies:

Swatches are good in many occasions and they always give us something to blame!

• Commenter name: Rachel

I'll usually swatch if the yarn isn't very smooth or if the FO is going to be a garment for someone else. Hope you had a good drive home today!

• Commenter name: Jess

And I'm a non-swatcher, too. I measure the pieces as I start.

• Commenter name: Mary Fran

Swatches? I do make them because I often substitute yarns in my knitting and need to confirm gauge...but finished swatches add to my in-progress, patchwork, crazy quilt-type afghan, so I don't mind them. Stay cozy!!!

• Commenter name: Lynn

I agree with you Norma about doing a swatch - I only take the time when it's absolutely necessary. (Oh, and you are all invited to Atlanta where it will be in the mid-60s today and a balmy 75 degrees tomorrow.) <--  That last part of the comment was just MEAN! 

• Commenter name: Lisa H.

Swatches are a total pain, but I do them sometimes. Not often, but there are times when they are, alas, completely unavoidable. It sounds like yarn all gooped up for machine knitting is one of those times, alas.

• Commenter name: Laura

I'm not a big fan of swatching, but I do swatch when I'm using a yarn I don't know well, or when I have to get a gauge not normal for the yarn. But only enough to see if it works. I don't make huge swatches, and I don't detach them from the ball, wash them, or do any of the myriad other things I've heard people recommend one do with those fancy swatches. I just want to start knitting with a semi-reasonable idea that what I want to knit with that yarn will actually be what I wanted to knit with it. Not much to ask, right? 

Commenter name: Christine

I loathe swatching - a waste of time and yarn for something that's going to lie anyway... 8) When making a sweater, I'll often start with the sleeves - they're just very large swatches. If I've goofed with needle size, I start over, but if not, I'm off to a flying start.

• Commenter name: gayle

I don't swatch, either. I just start knitting...then if I decide I don't like the way it's turning out, I pull it out and either change needle size or stitch pattern. So I guess it's a hit-or-miss superswatch sort of system. Once I knit most of a scarf for a friend holding the yarn double before I convinced myself that I really thought it would be better if I only used a single strand and started over.

• Commenter name: Elizabeth

As a rule, I don't swatch. I have a couple of times, more out of curiosity. Looks like we have an anti-swatch club in the making here :^)

• Commenter name: Marianne

I am also an anti-swatch person. I am glad to be with friends here!

• Commenter name: Stephie

I, too, am totally anti-swatch. They take time and who wants to spend a bunch of time trying to count those little stitches? Besides all that...the little buggers lie. They lie I tell ya!

• Commenter name: Marilyn

I hate to swatch too. It falls in the "I should but..." category. Did you at least sleep well in the hotel? Sometimes, that's the best part.

• Commenter name: Collette

Plus, swatches lie! I was reading the Friday post when your tweet about this one popped up in the corner of my screen. It was very odd to be reading your post and have your face suddenly appear..... <-------You're not the only one! Having my face suddenly appear would be unnerving to several people, I think.

• Commenter name: janna

Comments

[KateMet]

I'm firmly in the anti-swatch camp. I kind of feel that swatchers are like vegetarians. It is a valid choice, as long as you do push your agenda on people who make another choice. I have have things come out an unintended size very occasionally, but I feel that these are the times the universe is telling us that our intended recipient is not the right one.

[KateMet]

I meant DON'T push your agenda. Should have previewed...

[Mel]

KateMet: I have the exact same experience with meat eaters. I won't push my vegetarian agenda on you if you won't push your carnivory on me.

At least we agree on swatching. I check gauge occasionally if it's something where gauge matters and figure that's good enough. And most of the time, it is!

[Seanna Lea]

@KatMet and @Mel: I have been a vegetarian since 1992 (something that I am still sometimes surprised by), and I just tell the uber-meat eaters that my not eating bacon means more for them.

So, by being a vegetarian we are making the world safe for those who hate brussel sprouts and ensuring adequate bacon supply for meat eaters!

[Lynn]

Seed babies & Mr. Jeffries: double cute to start the day!

[KarenVR]

i try to be a good swatcher. But I hate it when a pattern says so many stitches to the inch unstretched, and then "X" number of stitches to the inch sttetched, after washing. I mean really??? Isn't swatching enough???

[Mary Fran]

So happy to see I have kindred souls.

[diane]

Swatching stinks. Glad to see that Mr J is on his way home.

[Bonney]

We want more Mr. Jeffries!! Swatch? Don't swatch? Whatever! We want the man!!

[Elizabeth]

No one likes to swatch but what about blocking? I am one of those old school knitters that only block when absolutely necessary, and never even heard of the whole after-knit spa treatment until knit blogs came along. How many are with me?

[Donna]

Hurray, Mr. Jeferies is coming home. His fan club misses him, we love your blog . Donna

[Marilyn]

My comment is in your post! WooHoo!

[Anne]

"There are lies, damn lies and swatch-lies." Woot! I used to swatch, adjusting needle size until I got gauge. Then "they" started saying to wash it and block it. Heck, I don't even do that with the FO! (I'm with you, Donna.) I tried ONCE and ended up learning that I needed size 8 needles for a project that recommended size 2. That, of course, was a swatch-lie.

[Tammy/psmflowerlady]

Looks like the poo-pots are working for you! Hooray!

[Adrienne]

Look, little green growing things! How exciting!

I swatch, but I make tiny little swatches, not big ones like you're supposed to. I feel I get *some* information from the tiny swatch, but I don't expect much from it, and don't give it a chance to lie to me.

[Carol]

Seed babies - love them.

Swatches - I usually need to go down several needle sizes, so I hereby place myself, based on long experience, in the pro-swatch camp. BUT - I refuse to wash, block and remeasure anything made with wool!

[Rachel]

Hey what is going on there, you mean to tell us there were no pro swatching comments? I mean a full heartedly swatch or you die comment!

[Jennifer]

Love the RD version of anti-swatching posts interspersed with pictures. Love, love, LOVE the poo pots. I thought about getting some, but I don't really have a place to put them and I'm not sure I'm ready to set up artificial lights, etc, so once again, I'm going to garden vicariously through you. Please plant some collard greens in my name. ; )

[Konna]

I don't think you are reading anything into the picture of Mr. J! That's exactly what he is thinking! I swatch but then they lie...so I don't swatch as much as I think I'm supposed to. Plus, I can't get more yarn down here!

[Jess]

Ok, I'll admit it. I made a swatch yesterday AND washed and blocked it.

I bought some beautiful handspun that I'd like to match up with a pattern, and I'm a half inch off of the gauge. Math is going to be necessary to make it work, so I figured a swatch wouldn't be a bad idea. We'll see.

Count me in as another who'll be happy to see Mr. J back.

[Mikell]

I must admit I don't swatch. If I have to rip out, it was practice and hopefully, I got with the rhythm of the pattern. The next time I do it, I will be more confident that I know what I'm doing. Glad Mr. Jeffries is coming home soon.

[gayle]

Those are baby broccolis, aren't they?
And I agree, Mr J looks terribly homesick...
(Back to starting my sweater over because the swatch lied. Knew I shouldn't have bothered swatching. *sigh*)

[Kayten]

I am of the wash and block contingent, primarily due to the fact that I have 5 cats and 5 dogs in the house and am not an award winning housekeeper. Also, it really makes the yarn bloom and gives you a clue about the inevitable pill factor. I do spin my items out after washing, and the blocking is cursory rather than stringent unless I'm desperate for that extra half inch.
Give that Mr. J some hope!

[Elise H]

I have begun swatching for sweaters and am finding it very helpful, though I understand about the time, etc. Basically I am now starting on sleeves and knitting for a bit and checking gauge there. Sometimes I knit a few inches in stockinette and give it a quick dunk in the sink if I don't really know the yarn. Also, I usually check for stitch gauge rather than row gauge. I was resistant to swatching at first, but I have been converted.

Wishing for spring here too in upstate NY. Love seeing the sprouts. Mr. Jeffries doesn't look too bad....but I am sure he will be so happy to be home.

[Leslie]

comment -- i hate swatching but do it just for discipline's sake. Can you tell I went through 8 years of Catholic School?

Bring Jeffies HOME!!!!

[Kathy]

I've already expressed my opinion on swatching....but I do want to say that the seed babies look *extremely* happy! I've got my own tulips and narcissus coming up and we only planted the bulbs last week! (of course we have "warm" California weather to help them along)

[marianne]

Seriously? I LIVE for the day your face suddenly appears! :^)
Are we off swatches? going to 'to bathe and block or not to bathe and block'? I do indulge in the bathing proper and blocking knitted items. Gives them a more finished look.
Mr.J..soon darlin', soon.
baby seedlings, they have The Cute.

[Elaine]

Swatch? Never happen. And I have been burned... but only once. I made a sweater with the recommended yarn (a gorgeous alpaca, linen, and I think, mohair blend) for a size 12 cousin. She wore it once and it stretched SIDEWAYS!!! It has been renamed my "shawl, with sleeves" and I use it to warm my rather ample self some of these cold ME evenings. Am excited about your little garden! And Mr J coming home!!

[Jen B]

Seed babies - sigh . . . swatch, don't swatch - it depends on my mood, but I tend to use sleeves as a swatch.

[Sandy]

Wow, I feel like a rock star! My comment is in your post along with a picture of Mr. J in his crate? Does life get much better? Thanks Norma!

[[email protected]]

I came to blocking via lace knitting..... since it improved the looks of lace so much, I figured it would improve the regular knitting, too.

Barbara M.

[Cookie]

Babies!

[Jan]

Totally anti-swatching...I takes my chances, and live with 'em. I do, however, bathe and block. Many yarns look so much prettier after a good bath.

I'm waving my sign and yelling "Free Mr. Jeffries".......I miss the little buggar.

[Rosemary McN]

Are you still counting/collecting comments, Norma? I always thought baths were for people and cars--didn't know that swatches needed them. I just want to knit, not play with a rubber ducky!

[Joannah]

Cruciferi?

I am not the person to talk to about swatching. I am not the person to talk to about blocking. I free-associate when it comes to picking which yard to use. I was born in 1960 -- all that Flower Power must have rubbed off on me!

[donna]

I learned many painful lessons over the years. I tried not making a swatch, knitting a swatch but not soaking it and finally do it the right way. I found out how the yarn can 'bloom' after a soaking. If you can't beat 'em, join 'em!

OMG - Mr. Jeffries can't wait to come home. I miss him too (and I don't even live with him)!! He is the cutest! His darling personality comes through on your blog. Thanks Norma! I look forward to Terrier Tuesday (as well as every day) on your blog. And your little sprouts are so cute!

[Sarah]

Ah, well the warm weather on this end of the country means we already have mosquitoes and tornadoes, so there's that.

As for the swatchiness, I consider them to be sources of information, but know they do not tell the whole story. They are something of a jumping off point for me. Many problems come from ignoring/skipping or relying upon them as though they have all of the information needed. However, I really am not concerned about whether anyone else swatches or not. They may take away my Community Knitter Badge, but I cannot bring myself to either force someone else to swatch or rip the swatch off the needles of another knitter. Now I'm just rambling and have taken off onto a different topic.

Hope your HP is well soon and the crab cakes and salad are wonderful.

[Suzanne]

Yeah, Mr. Jeffries is coming home!

[elizabeth a airhart]

good night

[Chris]

Now that I have moved beyond scarves and hats I do swatch a little more. However, I have learned (much to my dismay)that swatches occasionally lie. Thus my love hate relationship.

[emmy]

I am commenting because:
1. You used my swatch comment in today's post
and I feel almost famous-
2. Looks like you might have to go and rescue
Mr. Jeffries in the big city. That crate
doesn't look likes it's getting ready to
go anywhere.
3. You needed the comment your numbers UP!

have a great week!!!

[kelli ann]

>>and I just tell the uber-meat eaters that my not eating bacon means more for them.<<
Love cool vegetarians with a 'to each his-her own' attitude. Love coming here to read the enthusiasm about food, knitting, gardening and the occasional dog.

[Word Lily]

I think my feelings on swatching are changing, gradually. I used to be in the anti-swatchers club, but I'm starting to come around.

[Erika]

I have too many thoughts on swatching for this little comment area. I will blog about it instead!

But I wanted to leave a comment anyway, so I get credit for helping you get to that 60k threshold!

[Robby]

I've swatched, I might even swatch again, if Santa is watching. Otherwise, I either use the project as a swatch or knit things that make gauge irrelevant. Life is good.