A few days ago, I started two knitting projects, with patterns I haven’t used before.

Only one had a knitting gauge; the other one’s knitting instructions were well — pithy.

I think of myself as an intermediate to advanced knitter. Usually I can figure out the knitting instructions as I go. This time, however, both patterns presented challenges. And after a few inches, I realized they weren’t going well. Time to restart.

So, I frogged the knitting. You know, ripped out the stitches. [Everyone say it quickly: rip it, rip it, rip it! ]

And the result is:

When knitting instructions are incomplete

At one point I would have grieved for the lost stitches. Now, I look at the yarn as recyclable, and ready for the same project, or a new one.

With time, I’ve become convinced that sometimes the instructions are wrong. And sometimes the designer just doesn’t knit the same way I do. Which is okay, after all we’re all individuals.  Which I suspect is one reason knitting is so comforting. In a world that wants to make us all fit into round holes, it’s nice to find a place where the square peg can, well just be a square peg.

And you know, it could easily be me. It’s just possible with the recent extreme weather we’ve had, and some personal and professional distractions that I didn’t concentrate enough on the knitting instructions to get them right. And you know, that’s okay too.

Knitting can be challenging, but it should always, always be fun. When it stops being fun, that’s the time to put down the knitting needles and do something else. Whether you come back in a few minutes or a few days or longer, it doesn’t matter. I suspect though that once you find the rhythm of the needles —what some call “the zone” — you’ll be back.

Just make sure it stays fun.

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The knitting gauge or needle gauge tool is a handy addition to your knitting basket.

Mine is yellowed with age, but still functional.  Since most of the patterns I need a gauge for give it in inches, the fact that mine has only inches is fine.

I like the handy L-shaped window, through which 2 inches horizontal and vertical are clearly visible.  Why?

Well,  it makes it easier to count horizontal stitches and vertical rows at one time.  Of course, you can still use the ruler and do one at a time.  Many times my gauge is only accurate in one direction anyway.  And if given the choice, I’ll make my gauge match the stitches and keep the width the same as the pattern.  I use the written knitting gauge provided in the pattern to convert rows to inches.  And then just knit the number of inches required for the length.

Like many good tools, this one has more than one purpose.  Not only is it an easy way to count rows and stitches per 2 inches, but it’s also a ruler.  And it also has those little holes in a row.  The holes correspond to knitting needle sizes, given in both mm and US sizes.

If you’re used to knitting with straight needles, yes they are all marked.  But many circular needles aren’t.  And sometimes the differences between sizes are hard to see.  Especially for anyone wearing glasses:

These two circular needles are not the same size.  And, there’s only 1/4 mm difference between them.  They’re US size 4 (3-1/2 mm) above, and 5 (3-3/4 mm) below.

Even rolling the two in your hands, it can be difficult to tell them apart.  Which makes this little tool indispensable at times.

And a good deal, at less than $2 many places.

Does anything make a novice knitter cringe faster than talking about knitting gauges?

They shouldn’t.

Knitting gauges can be essential to following your knitting pattern directions.  An accurate knitting gauge prevents that adult size sweater from fitting only a child, or a giant.

Knitting gauges are simple measurements that help knitters compensate for the normal variations in tension when knitting, and in differences in yarn.  Yes, normal variations.

Knitters vary in how tightly or loosely they knit.  That’s okay.  It’s part of a hand knit garment.  There’s also a wide variety of knitting yarns, even within one type.  Look at different worsted yarns sometime.  The size of the thickness of the yarn varies from yarn to yarn.  Add specialty yarns with unusual textures, and you can see the wide variety of options.

And yes, it’s true.  I don’t always follow the designer’s suggested yarn.  I often use what I have on hand … can get easily … or can afford.  And adapting the pattern includes knowing the knitting gauge.

So, knitting gauge is important when making a fitted garment.  Something three-dimensional.  Like a pair of socks or a sweater.

As opposed to a flat scarf, where the width may not be as important.  Or dishcloths.  Does it really matter if your dishcloth is a half an inch wider or narrower than the pattern?

Probably not.

Another place you’ll often find knitting gauge important is with certain stitch patterns.  Some cables, lace patterns, or even fabric-like patterns can lose their pattern if knit with the wrong gauge.  Again, this is usually a three-dimensional pattern.

It helps me to remember three dimensional when I think about whether a knitting gauge is important.

Knitting tip: once you’ve made several knitting gauges, you’ll realize they aren’t that hard or time-consuming.  When in doubt, stop and knit a gauge before starting your project.

It may save you time and trouble later.