I take it back, I like swatching.

I can’t even count the number of times I’ve said that I hate swatching…well, out loud, anyway. As a knitting author, you feel compelled to tell people they should always, always, always swatch. It’s the right thing to do, even if it can be annoying. And I know full well that writing a pattern with poor gauge information is just asking for disaster, so I try to be good.

All of a sudden, though, I’m really liking swatches.

I like to wash them really thoroughly and figure out what the fabric’s going to do within the design itself. I like to tweak needle sizes and maybe even the stitch pattern I plan to use. But mostly I like to see what happens to that ungainly, funny-looking swatch after I wash and dry it nicely.

Secret confession: I’m carrying a washed swatch of chartreuse Tahki Donegal Tweed in my purse right now. It wants to be a sweater someday. Sometimes I take it out and furtively pet it. (This is not nearly as disturbing as it sounds, I hope).

Tagged with: Knitting