BellaOnline Forums Hobbies and Crafts Knitting knitting gauge

I always have trouble with knitting gauge...usually about 2 stitches too many on needle. Is that so bad? Do I go up a needle size or down? I usually dont bother but just go on knitting. I knit baby sweaters so they dont really have to fit perfectly and they work out good. I know patterns always specify that it's important to follow gauge otherwise the garment won't come out right. Thanks for all your help.

If you have too many stitches per inch, you need a larger needle, if you have not enough stitches per inch you need a smaller needle. It all depends on what you are making, some things I don't worry too much about it and other things I do.

I am doing a baby sweater and it calls for #6 needle, 22 sts & 30 rows = 4 ins. Pattern is moss stitch, Bernat baby softee yarn, 6 mos. size, cast on 53 sts. #6 is giving me about 5-6 sts more. I went up & down sizes and cant get it to work. Should I just go with #6. Being a baby sweater maybe it wouldn't make that much difference as they are usually kind of square anyway and if it comes out at bit bigger in size that would be ok. Thanks for your quick reply. You are so helpful.

I don't know if this will make you feel better but I too have a really hard time meeting the gauge requirements for most patterns. I'm sure there will be alot of people who say don't do this but......I just use the needles that give me the closest to the required gauge. I once spent almost two weeks, lots of ripping and crying, so after that I thought it is just not worth this stress and decided that close is sometimes just good enough!! :love:

Thanks...I will just continue along and see what happens.