Loom Knitting - Understanding Gauge
Learn the importance of gauge in loom knitting
When loom knitting, just like regular needle knitting, gauge is important. If your gauge is right, your knitted garment will fit like a glove. If your gauge is off, you may just end up with a very comical item after spending a lot of time and money. So when it comes to knitting on a loom, first things first. Let's learn about gauge.
Understanding Gauge
To put it simply, gauge means how many stitches you have per inch of knitted material. Every pattern you knit will have the gauge listed. It might say something like, '16 sts and 32 rows = 4 ins [10 cm] in garter st.' This means if you knit 32 rows with 16 stitches each, it should measure four inches. Your pattern will tell you what size loom and what weight of yarn to use.
Gauge is important when it comes to getting knitted garments to fit. You can get away without knitting a gauge square when knitting items where fit isn't important like afghans, baby blankets, placemats, dishcloths, etc.
Gauge Guidelines
Looms are sold according to gauge. Here are the basic sizes, what weight yarn to use with each and what size knitting needle each corresponds to.
Large Gauge Knitting Looms - Use with bulky weight yarns or 2 strands of medium weight yarns. Makes bulky-weight knits and knits that for felting. With this loom, you'll get approximately 1 1/2 to 2 stitches per inch. Compare to knitting needle size 13.
Regular Gauge Knitting Looms- Use with chunky weight yarns or 2 strands of sport weight yarns. Makes medium-weight knits. With this loom, you'll get approximately 3 to 3 1/2 stitches per inch. Compare to knitting needle size 10.
Small Gauge Knitting Looms - Use with worsted weight and medium-weight. Makes medium and lightweight knits. With this loom, you'll get approximately 3 1/2 to 4 stitches per inch. Compare to knitting needle sizes 7 and 8.
Fine Gauge Knitting Looms - Use with sport weight and DK weight. Makes lightweight knits. With this loom, you'll get approximately 4 to 5 stitches per inch. Compare to knitting needle sizes 5 and 6.
Extra Fine Gauge Knitting Looms - Use with fingering weight and sock weight. Makes lightweight knits. With this loom, you'll get approximately 7 to 8 stitches per inch. Compare to knitting needle sizes 1 and 2.
