Question by krisbrown1979: how do i figure out my gauge (number of stiches to cast on) without knitting a swatch?
lets say Im makeing an arm band. The arm mesures 22 inches at the middle of the bicep. My circuler needls are 8 guage and 24 inches.
what is the formula that tells me how many stiches to cast on?
Im not using any pattern, and I dont have the lable that came with the yarn. Just have standard black arcrylic yarn, my needles, and an Idea
Best answer:
Answer by Mommiedearest
If you have used the same yarn and the same needle, and you have the project handy measure it and see what your gage was with that. If it matches use the instructions given to you in the pattern.
Add your own answer in the comments!
Related posts:
- I’m knitting scarf, its gonna b 5ft 8in w/ med (4ply) yarn nd 9 needles. How many stiches do i need to start? by madelinetosh Question by sal: I’m knitting scarf, its gonna b 5ft 8in w/ med (4ply) yarn nd 9 needles. How many stiches do i need to start? Again the scarf is going to be 5 feet long 8 inches wide made w/ medium (4ply) yarn and 9 needles. How many stitches do i start [...]...
- Q&A: I’m knitting an iPod cozy. The pattern says to cast on nine stiches. How many do I need for a iPod classic? Question by Martha...
- Q&A: When knitting I keep gaining stiches? Question by gingsmurf: When knitting I keep gaining stiches? I started out with around 18 stitches (I’m knitting a scarf). I have about two or three inches done and now I have around 38 stiches! How did this happen? And I know that with the first stitch if the string is going a certain way [...]...
From that information, no, you cannot calculate it. What you could do would be to look at the ball band on the yarn and see what the gauge is for the recommended needle size (which may or may not be your size 8 needle) and then what you would do would be to multiply the number of stitches/inch by 22 inches. This wouldn’t be entirely accurate though because you may knit tighter or looser than the gauge given. For something that requires accurate measurements, you really should knit a swatch.
You can’t calculate gauge without knitting something. I would suggest that you save yourself a big head ache and just cast on 20 stitches with the yarn and needles that you want to use, knit for a few inches and actually measure your gauge correctly. Every knitter knits a little differently. With worsted weight yarn and size 8 needles, I get anywhere from 4 to 5.5 stitches per inch, depending on what kind of yarn it is. There is no way of knowing what YOUR gauge is unless you knit something and measure it. You can always rip out your swatch after you measure and reuse the yarn for your armband. If you don’t make a swatch, it is entirely likely that you will end up ripping out a couple inches worth of armband because it will end up being too big or too small and you won’t know that until you are a good way into it!
Not knitting swatch you have to :
1.Have any item which YOU KNITTED.
2.Be sure that you are going to use the SAME type of yarn , the SAME number of needles.
3.And then….. CALCULATE YOUR gauge.
Sorry, nothing can be done from nothing. Here is how to calculate your gauge to make it right.
http://www.smart-knit-crocheting.com/beginner-crochet.html
Good luck on your project!