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Knitting gauge: stitches to cast on and rows to knit

Use your swatch gauge to calculate how many stitches to cast on and rows to knit for a given size, and how much a pattern will change if your gauge differs.

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Results

Stitches to cast on

100

Rows to knit

168

Stitches per inch
5.00
Rows per inch
7.00
Size change if you follow the pattern's stitch counts
10.0%
Your piece will come out larger: try smaller needles

Why every pattern starts with a swatch

Two knitters using the same yarn and the same needles can produce fabric of quite different sizes, because tension varies from hand to hand. A pattern designer writes stitch counts for a particular gauge: so many stitches and rows per 4 inches. If yours differs, the finished piece will be larger or smaller than the pattern says. A sweater knitted at 20 stitches per 4 inches instead of 22 comes out 10% wider, which on a 40-inch chest is 4 extra inches.

Measuring your gauge

  1. Cast on enough stitches for about 6 inches, using the yarn, needles and stitch pattern of the project.
  2. Knit about 6 inches.
  3. Wash and dry the swatch the way you will treat the finished garment. Many yarns grow or shrink when wet.
  4. Lay it flat and count the stitches and rows across 4 inches in the center. Count half stitches too.

How the calculator works

  • Stitches to cast on = width wanted × stitches per inch.
  • Rows to knit = length wanted × rows per inch.
  • Size change = pattern gauge ÷ your gauge − 1. If the pattern expects more stitches per 4 inches than you knit, each stitch of yours is wider and the piece grows.

Worked example

Your swatch has 20 stitches and 28 rows per 4 inches, which is 5 stitches and 7 rows per inch. For a scarf panel 20 inches wide and 24 inches long:

  • Cast on 20 × 5 = 100 stitches.
  • Knit 24 × 7 = 168 rows.

The pattern was written for 22 stitches per 4 inches. If you followed its stitch counts at your gauge, the piece would be 10% larger. Try needles one or two sizes smaller and knit a new swatch, or recalculate the stitch counts as above.

Tips

  • Adjust stitch counts to the pattern’s multiple. A rib of 2 knit, 2 purl needs a multiple of 4, so 100 works but 102 would not.
  • Gauge often tightens in the round compared with flat knitting. Swatch the way you will knit.
  • Row gauge matters for raglan shaping and colorwork charts. If you match stitch gauge but not row gauge, follow lengths in inches rather than counts of rows.
  • Keep your swatch: it is useful for testing washing, blocking and darning before trying them on the garment.

Frequently asked questions

What is knitting gauge?

The number of stitches and rows in a given width and height of knitted fabric, usually measured over 4 inches. It depends on the yarn, the needle size and how tightly you knit.

How do I measure my gauge?

Knit a swatch at least 6 inches square in the pattern stitch, wash and block it the way you will treat the finished piece, let it dry, then count stitches and rows over 4 inches in the middle, away from the edges.

What if my gauge does not match the pattern?

More stitches per 4 inches than the pattern means your knitting is tighter: switch to larger needles. Fewer stitches means looser knitting: switch to smaller needles. A difference of one stitch over 4 inches changes a 40-inch sweater by about 2 inches.

Does row gauge matter?

Less than stitch gauge for most patterns, because lengths are often given in inches rather than rows. It matters for raglan sleeves, colorwork and anything worked to a set number of rows.

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Results are estimates provided for information purposes. They do not replace professional advice.

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