Calculate stitches per inch and project dimensions accurately
Project Planning
Your Gauge Profile
Stitches per Inch0
Rows per Inch0
Recommended Cast-on0
Understanding Gauge in Knitting
Knitting gauge is the most critical measurement for ensuring your handmade garments actually fit. It represents the number of stitches and rows that fit into a specific area (usually 4 inches or 10 centimeters). Without checking your gauge, a sweater designed for a 36-inch chest could easily end up as a 42-inch or a 30-inch garment.
How to Knit a Proper Swatch
To use this calculator effectively, you must first knit a gauge swatch:
Use the same needles: Use the exact needles and yarn you plan to use for your project.
Knit larger than 4″: Cast on about 6 inches worth of stitches so the edges don't distort your measurements.
Block your swatch: Wash and dry the swatch exactly as you will the finished garment before measuring.
Measure in the center: Lay the swatch flat and measure the middle section to avoid tension changes at the cast-on and bind-off edges.
Interpreting Your Results
If your stitches per inch are higher than the pattern recommends, your stitches are smaller, and the finished item will be too small. You should try a larger needle.
If your stitches per inch are lower than the pattern recommends, your stitches are larger, and the finished item will be too big. You should try a smaller needle.
Example Calculation
If a pattern requires 20 stitches over 4 inches (5 sts/inch), and your swatch measures 22 stitches over 4 inches (5.5 sts/inch), a sweater with a 40-inch circumference would end up being 36.3 inches. That 10% difference is the difference between a perfect fit and a sweater that is too tight to wear!
function calculateKnittingGauge() {
// Get Inputs
var swatchSts = parseFloat(document.getElementById('swatchStitches').value);
var measuredWidth = parseFloat(document.getElementById('measuredWidth').value);
var swatchRows = parseFloat(document.getElementById('swatchRows').value);
var measuredHeight = parseFloat(document.getElementById('measuredHeight').value);
var targetWidth = parseFloat(document.getElementById('targetWidth').value);
var patternStsPer4 = parseFloat(document.getElementById('patternSts').value);
// Basic Validation
if (isNaN(swatchSts) || isNaN(measuredWidth) || swatchSts <= 0 || measuredWidth 0) {
var castOn = Math.round(targetWidth * stsPerInch);
document.getElementById('castOnRec').innerText = castOn + " sts";
} else {
document.getElementById('castOnRec').innerText = "N/A";
}
// Comparison Logic
var analysisEl = document.getElementById('gaugeAnalysis');
if (!isNaN(patternStsPer4) && patternStsPer4 > 0) {
var patternStsPerInch = patternStsPer4 / 4;
var diff = stsPerInch – patternStsPerInch;
var percentDiff = ((stsPerInch / patternStsPerInch) * 100).toFixed(1);
if (Math.abs(diff) 0) {
analysisEl.style.color = "#d9534f";
analysisEl.innerText = "Your gauge is tighter than the pattern (" + percentDiff + "% of size). Use LARGER needles to match.";
} else {
analysisEl.style.color = "#f0ad4e";
analysisEl.innerText = "Your gauge is looser than the pattern (" + percentDiff + "% of size). Use SMALLER needles to match.";
}
} else {
analysisEl.innerText = "Enter Pattern Gauge above to compare your swatch to project requirements.";
analysisEl.style.color = "#666";
}
}