In most cases your tension needs to be just right. Other wise you could end up with a jumper that is way too big or so small you can’t get it over your head. Even if it isn’t massively one way or the other you could easily run out of yarn. If you are making a dishcloth, scarf or a blanket then it probably doesn’t matter so much.

There are several methods of knitting, the end result is the same, it is just that the needles and yarn are held in a different way. It doesn’t matter which way you do it. Just choose the method you prefer or find easiest. Everybody’s tension is different so before you start to make your garment, you need to make a tension square or swatch as it is commonly known.

If you are working from a pattern, look for the materials section to see which yarn and needles are recommended and then go to the tension section to see how many rows and stitches are required to create a 4″x 4″ square (approx. 100 x 100mm).

When making your swatch, you need to make it bigger than 4″x 4″ as the edges sometimes curl up also your tension may be different on a small piece of work rather than the full size, so make your swatch at least double the number of stitches and do double the number of rows. When you have finished, cast off. Check to see if your swatch needs to be washed and blocked. I will explain that in a minute. If it doesn’t require wet blocking, spread your swatch out on blocking boards if you have them or if not, something like an ironing board or even a clean towel resting on a carpet will do and pin it round the edges so that it is nice and flat, make sure the edges are straight but try not to stretch it. Measure your 4″ across the centre both horizontally and vertically, place pins at each end of the measure, then count the rows and the stitches. If it needs to be wet blocked, wash gently by hand in warm water using a gentle woollen wash liquid. Once well rinsed, squeeze out excess moisture then roll in a clean towel and press down on it firmly. Do not wring. Your swatch should now be just damp. Then pin out and measure as explained above and allow to dry naturally.

If you have more rows and stitches than the recommended amount your tension is too tight, make another swatch using thicker needles, if there aren’t enough stitches and rows your work is too loose so make another swatch using thinner needles. When you have a tension square that is more or less correct to the pattern requirements, you can begin work on your selected item.

It may seem a bit of a long winded effort because I know you are itching to get on with the project but believe me when I tell you that there is nothing more disappointing to get two thirds of the way through making your garment before you realise that it isn’t going to fit. Not only is it a waste of time but also think of the cost of the yarn itself. It is so expensive these days that you really do need to make sure that he size will be right before you start. However, if you are just making a dishcloth or a practice sample then making a swatch is not really necessary.