Oh, Gauge

[untonuggan]

So I got some really awesome rainbow sock yarn and I am going to make Pride Socks. Because the yarn is kind of busy, my plan is just to use the Yarn Harlot's basic sock pattern from Knitting Rules. (That way I also have good zombie knitting.)

The ball band says I should get 30 sts/4" with US #2 needles. I figured, hey, I'd aim for roughly that so that it's not too loose and I don't get big honking holes that need darning.

Admittedly, I'm still waiting for my swatch to dry, but with #2 needles I got 25 sts/4" (unstretched). OK, swatched again with US #1s and got 27 sts/4" (unstretched) before washing.

I think if I switched to #0 needles I could probably get the official gauge of the yarn - or at least much closer - but I'm wondering if it is worth it. Will I hate myself later if I just use the #1s? Right now I am just kind of sick of swatching, but I also don't want to make beautiful socks that then get holey ridiculously fast.

Since the pattern is uber-customizeable, I can make the pattern fit the gauge...

Right now I'm just really, really hoping that when the swatch dries it will magically be the right gauge.

If you were me, would you...
- Knit another swatch using US #0 needles just in case?
- Wait and pray that the other swatches work out?
- Decide that the #1 swatch is close enough?

Comments

[aderam]

Ignore what the ball-band says. Which fabric do you like? If it's tight and sturdy enough on the 1s then stick with those and don't bother moving to the 0s.

I generally knit socks using 2.25mm (US 1 - I think) or 2.5mm. But lately I've been experimenting with larger needles because I knit pretty tightly.

Especially if the pattern is forgiving for numbers of stitches you should use whichever size needle makes the fabric you like best.

[untonuggan]

Thanks for the advice! I think I actually like the tighter look and am worried about excessive holes, so I gave it a day or so of time out and then it worked out with the 0s.