A tip for swatches

[untonuggan]

If you ever have an experience where you pick up two swatches of the same yarn and go, "Wait...which needle did I use for which?" because you swatched awhile ago, or were tired, or whatever...and you had a plan of keeping all your swatches in a little book with the yarn label (ha!) but now you are just proud if you actually swatch, or even swatch more than once...

Tie a knot in the tail end of the yarn, one for every number of the needle you use. I suppose this could get compicated with chunky yarn (using US 10 needles) or smallern European needles, but I've found it really helpful so far with my socks. Because I can just pick up the end of the swatch and count the knots and know which needles I used.

Perhaps this is obvious to others, but it took me about 8 months to work out a decent system so  I thought I'd post it here.

I'm going to have to learn another knot for half sizes of needles.

Comments

[sedge]

A figure eight knot for a half size?

Good system!

[untonuggan]

Must look that up later. *grin*

Thanks!

[ciaccona]

Ooh, great idea.

[untonuggan]

Thanks! I was kind of pleased with it.

[indeliblesasha]

Another option is to make a row of eyelets - but this really only works for stockinette. :) This is particularly helpful if you do a single swatch with multiple needle sizes.

If you aren't sure if you need -for example- US5, 6, or 7 you can swatch them all at once. After your couple of garter rows put 5 eyelets in your first stockinette row, and then knit a couple inches. Switch to your 6 and make 6 eyelets, knit a couple inches, and so on. Then you can block it and you only have to keep track of one swatch and it's easy to decide which needle you want to use.

I will have to use the knots next time I'm swatching a pattern, I hadn't thought of that. Thanks for the suggestion!

[untonuggan]

Oooh, eyelets is a good idea too. Although especially if (as you say) all the swatches are in one swatch.

[rainbow]

oh, what a great idea!

maybe tie on a bead or bangle to indicate a half?

[untonuggan]

I *like* it!

(Because knowing me I'd forget which knots were which, but a bangle would be different enough that I'd remember).

[spuffyduds]

That's deeply clever.

[untonuggan]

*blush* Thanks!

[lannamichaels]

That's a great idea :)

[untonuggan]

I just had to share because I have had enough times of going "wtf swatch" that I thought others might benefit. :)

Knots

[knit_dream]

Thanks so much for this. I always think I'll "remember" what sized needle I used, and no matter how many times I forget, I think "THIS time, I'll remember". Ha! The knots won't lie!

Re: Knots

[untonuggan]

That was exactly my problem, which is why I figured I'd share. Glad it's helped someone! ^_^

[oakmouse]

I love it. Thank you!

[untonuggan]

\o/