You don’t have to swatch.
Honestly.
You don’t have to swatch.
Really, truly. There are no knitting police. No one’s going to come take your knitting needles away because you didn’t swatch.
So don’t feel obligated.
Use that 30-60 minutes for something else.
As long as you’re ok with spending several months knitting a sweater that turns out too small, in fabric so stiff it’s bulletproof, criss-crossed by flat cables that don’t pop, you do not need to swatch.
What’s that?
Oh. Hmmm.
You DON’T want to drop $150 on that hand-dyed yarn for your dream sweater only to realize halfway through that it’s pooling and obscuring the stitch pattern?
You DON’T want a cedar chest full of misshapen sweaters in fabric that doesn’t drape?
You DON’T want to spend 40 hours knitting a sweater that doesn’t fit?
So then—why aren’t you swatching?
Here is the hard truth--like it or not, swatching is essential for a great-fitting garment.
And beyond fit, it’s an essential part of any knitting project plan, to ensure that your pattern, yarn and gauge all combine to create a finished project you’re absolutely thrilled with.
A swatch is the solid foundation upon which successful knitting projects are built.
But maybe that’s where you’re hitting a snag—because your swatches aren’t solid. In fact, you’re fed up with lying liar swatches.
And you're not alone. Swatching presents a stumbling block to many, both new and experienced knitters. Whether it’s the actual process of creating them, or how to best use them to guide a knitting project, many a knitter is mystified by swatching and gauge—and therefore missing out on one of their MOST VALUABLE KNITTING TOOLS.
That ends today.
With this 4-week e-course, you’ll go from
Swatch Skeptic to Swatch Master!
Week/Unit 1, Swatch Fundamentals
Topics:
What is a swatch?
Why do we swatch?
Why is swatching essential?
Skills:
Breaking down gauge information
Working a basic swatch flat
Working a swatch in the round
Week/Unit 3, Swatching Snafus
Topics:
What do you do if you don’t get gauge?
Row gauge vs. stitch gauge
Things to consider when a pattern includes knitting flat and in-the-round
Skills:
Selecting the best fiber(s) and needles
How to adjust patterns for row gauge
Basic math to recalculate pattern measurements for a different gauge
Week/Unit 2, Beyond the Basics
Topics:
Swatch handling
Common swatching mistakes
Tools of the trade
Skills:
Washing, drying and blocking
Measuring accurately and evaluating
Measuring over stitch patterns
Week/Unit 4, Swatch Mastery:
Topics:
Lying swatches and how to prevent them
Moving beyond gauge: other reasons for swatching
Swatching for designing
Skills:
Evaluating color and drape
Swatching from scratch (without a pattern!)
Making a swatch library
With so many e-courses, tutorials and workshops out there, do you really need one about something as basic as swatching?
Let’s check.
You don't know the first thing about swatching? This course is for you.
You always swatch for your projects but have difficulty getting gauge? This course is for you.
You gave up on swatching because swatches are no-good liars? This course is for you.
You want to try sweater knitting but are worried about fit? This course is for you.
You understand the basics of swatching but aren't sure about swatching for more advanced projects? This course is for you.
You want to know how swatching can help you pick the best materials for your project? This course is for you.
Simply put, whether you're a new knitter who's unsure about swatching or an experienced one who's always found it frustrating, this course will give you a better understanding of swatching and put you on the road to swatching success—and a beautiful finished project!
LESSONS DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
VIDEO MODULES FOR EACH LESSON
SWATCHING WORKBOOK
WEEKLY LIVE CHAT
Swatch Master LIVE is offered every Spring. This year’s session kicks off on April 17. Over the course of this 4-week program, you'll receive
Email lessons and homework assignments delivered straight to your inbox
3-4 video modules for each lesson, to watch at your own pace
An interactive swatching workbook, which we'll work through together over the course of the program
A weekly live video chat and Q&A (AKA office hours), where I can answer your questions in real time via Zoom
An exclusive Swatch Masters community for past and current students, where you can interact with fellow students as well as your instructor
The opportunity to schedule a one-on-one consultation with your instructor (entirely optional but encouraged!) during the course to directly address your questions or concerns, help you with your swatching endeavors and walk you through the swatching process step-by-step
Plus bonus resources and materials to help you kick your swatching up a notch
Weekly lessons, 4+ hours of instructional video content, an interactive workbook, weekly live discussion, a personal consultation and bonus materials--all from the comfort of your own home!
Don’t miss out! Enrollment closes on April 15, and Swatch Master LIVE won’t be offered again until 2024!
Still not sure?
Keep reading to hear what past students have to say!
"The course was absolutely fantastic, covering all aspects of swatching. It has definitely inspired me to swatch for any knitting project I am doing. It made me realise that swatching is not only done to find gauge, but to really get a feel for how the yarn will perform at a particular gauge and in a particular stitch pattern." - Lisa, Spring 2018 student
“Truly appreciate the work you put in to this course!” - Dari, Spring 2019 student
“I really found this course to be helpful. I have swatched a lot in the past but have also experienced issues. This course helped point out some of the mistakes I have been making and how to avoid them in the future. I don't love swatching, but it sure beats having a sweater that isn't even close to fitting!” - Maria, Winter 2020 student
