Why You Need to Wash Your Crochet Gauge Swatch
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Crocheting a gauge swatch is so important, especially when it comes to crocheting garments. But do you take that extra step and wash your crochet gauge swatch?
Now, most of the time you just work up a swatch square or rectangle. You measure your stitches and you go up a hook size or down hook size as needed to get the same number of stitches in the same measurement as the pattern calls for.
But there’s an added step when it comes to crocheting garments, and that is to wash your gauge swatch.
Why it’s important to wash your gauge swatch
In my video about Mastering Gauge from Beginning to End, I demonstrated how I take gauge from start to finish. In that video, you see me work up the swatch, you see me measure it, and then you see me block or wash it and measure it again. Then you see me put it in the dryer and measure it again.
I used all that information to determine what hook size I needed to use for the garment that I was getting ready to make.
But why did I do that? Well, you’re going to wash your crochet garment, right? So if you’re going to wash your garment, you want to wash your swatch. This lets you know how the item will hold up and how the washing process changes the number of stitches (or doesn’t), the look of the stitches, the look and feel of the yarn, etc.
Things you can learn from washing your gauge swatch
Let me give you some examples of how washing your gauge swatch can inform your garment making.
It can help you decide which yarn to use
In my video about choosing the right yarn for your crochet garment, I shared the three C’s of what I take into consideration when I am choosing a yarn. One of those C’s was, “Can it be washed easily?” So when you’re choosing a yarn, you definitely want to look at the washing instructions that are on the label for the yarn.
Think about how you much time and effort you’re willing to invest in caring for a garment. Do you want something that you can very easily throw into the washing machine, throw into the dryer, and not really have to worry about? Or are you okay with hand washing the garment and laying it flat to dry? Maybe something in the middle?
You need to consider all of these things when choosing a yarn. When you have the your gauge swatch, and you take the time to wash it, you can figure all of that out also.
It can help you determine which hook size to use
Let’s say you work up a gauge swatch from a yarn that’s labeled as machine washable and dryable. Once you run it through the washer and dry it flat, you notice that it has expanded. Instead of 16 stitches in four inches, you now have 13 stitches. So 13 stitches would be your blocked gauge.
If your pattern calls for a blocked gauge, you need to use the final measurement of the swatch after washing and drying it in the same way you will care for the finished garment. In this case, you need 15 stitches per four inches. So you will need to go down a hook size to achieve the correct gauge.
Toss that same swatch in the dryer and it may shrink back to 16 stitches per four inches. Then, you will need to go up a hook size to make gauge. So washing your crochet gauge swatch can help you determine what hook size to use.
It can help you make decisions about garment care
Washing your swatch gives you a good idea of how a garment will hold up during the washing process. Using the swatch from the last example, you know that if you hand wash it and lay it flat to dry, the fabric will expand. If you are figuring the expansion into your gauge, you will need to wash the finished garment the same way each time.
Or maybe you’ve made your swatch, washed and blocked it. The garment looks great coming out of the washer and you’ve met your gauge. However, you throw it in the dryer and it comes out fuzzy, pilly, and just overall yucky.
Thank goodness you tested all of this with your swatch and not your entire crochet garment! Now you will know that this item is fine in the washer but that you will need to lay it flat to dry.
I hope that this post has been informative and that you can see the benefits of washing your gauge swatch! Please feel free to comment below with any questions or other tips you may have.
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Michelle has been crocheting since 2011 and has been designing crochet patterns since 2014! She specializes in modern garments and accessories for your handmade wardrobe. Michelle has been featured in Happily Hooked Magazine, thehooknooklife.com, wecrochet.com, ourmakerlife.com, and several other websites. She is committed to providing the highest quality crochet information and patterns that instill a true feeling of pride, enjoyment, and accomplishment when completing a project.
