Circular swatching? What is THAT?
I remember thinking this the first time I needed to swatch in the round. I use the magic loop method of one long circular needle (usually 32-40 inches) for my sock knitting or any small tube knitting such as arms. (You can do the same swatching using double pointed needles.) When I cast on for a swatch in the round I place the recommended number of stitches plus 4 to 8 more. I then knit one row. Next slide the work all the way to the opposite side of the needle; the yarn should be on the wrong end (this is good!). You will wrap the yarn around the back of the work, I always pull it looser because you want your swatch to lay flat when you are measuring the gauge. If it is not loose then a distortion will occur and it will be hard, if not impossible, to get an accurate reading. After you have wrapped the yarn around your knuckles behind the knitted fabric keep knitting! Then repeat the procedure until you have a swatch the size needed for the pattern.
One bonus for this method is that you do not have to count the rounds because you can count the loose strands behind the work and that will tell you how many rounds you have knit! Easy!
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| Mini-Circular Swatch |
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| Circular Swatch View from the Top |
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Side of Circular Swatch
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