Have you ever knitted a sweater that ended up being way too big – or way too small? Then you may have experienced how important knitting tension is!
Knitting tension can be the difference between a perfect knit and a sweater that ends up in the back of the closet. In this blog post you will learn:
✔️ How to test your knitting tension correctly
✔️ What to do if your knitting sample doesn't fit
✔️ How to adjust your stick size
✔️ How to get accurate measurements
What is knitting tension?
Knitting gauge indicates how many stitches and rows per 10 x 10 cm you get with a particular yarn and needle size. It is typically measured as:
X stitches x Y needles = 10 x 10 cm
📌 Example:
If a recipe states:
18 stitches x 24 rows = 10 x 10 cm on 4 mm needles
... this means that if you knit a sample with 4 mm needles, you need to cast on 18 stitches in width and 24 rows in height of 10 cm.
Checklist: Find the right “bus” for your masks
When testing your knitting tension, remember this simple rule:
Too many people on the bus? Find a bigger bus!
→ Too many stitches on 10 cm? Use a thicker needle.
Too few people on the bus? Use a smaller bus!
→ Too few stitches on 10 cm? Use a thinner needle.
The thicker the needle, the fewer stitches you get – and the thinner the needle, the more stitches you get .
How to make a knitting sample correctly
To get the most accurate result, follow these steps:
- Cast on about 5-7 cm extra stitches than stated in the pattern (so you can measure in the middle of the sample and not at the edge).
- Knit at least 10 x 10 cm.
- Wash and block the knitting sample exactly as you would wash the finished project.
- Lay the sample flat, measure in the middle and count your stitches and rows.
What if my knitting sample doesn't fit?
If your knitting sample does not match the pattern's gauge , you need to adjust the needle size:
✔ Too many stitches on 10 cm? Go up in needle size.
✔ Too few stitches of 10 cm? Go down in
If you change yarn in a pattern, knitting tension is even more important!
• Find the yarn's recommended knitting tension (often found on the label).
• Compare with the knitting tension in the pattern.
• Knit a sample and adjust the needle size if necessary.
📌 Tip! The fiber content of the yarn also matters – alpaca often produces a softer and looser knit than wool.
Knitting tension in circular knitting vs. back and forth
Important! If your pattern is knitted in the round , you must also make your knitting sample in circular knitting – otherwise the result may be misleading!
When you knit in the round in stockinette stitch, you only have knit stitches , but when you knit back and forth, you alternate between knit and purl stitches . This can affect your knitting tension, especially if you knit tighter on the wrong side.
FAQ – Frequently asked questions about knitting tension
How do I best measure knitting tension?
Always measure in the middle of your sample , not at the edge. Use a gauge for accurate measurements.
Can I avoid doing a knitting test?
Technically yes – but you risk your finished project not fitting . It's always worth spending some time testing first.
What if my knitting tension only partially fits?
If the stitch count is correct but the row count is incorrect, you can adjust the length of the project if possible. Alternatively, you can try a different yarn - but before you do that, check if your knitting pattern states how many cm you should knit. Often the pattern states how many cm the yoke should measure in height, for example, and this allows you to adjust the row count slightly.
Conclusion – Knitting tension is the key to a good result!
Knitting tension is not a small detail , but a crucial factor in whether your finished project will have the right fit.
✔ Always make a knitting sample – especially with new patterns or yarn.
✔ Adjust the pins if necessary.
✔ Wash the sample to get the most accurate result. (Unless your knitting pattern specifies otherwise).
Next steps for you
📌 Test your knitting tension – and share your result!
Have you had a knitting experience where knitting tension saved (or ruined) your project? Share your story in the comments!