The art of the swatch?

I am watched Nancy Ricci’s Knit Stars Season 8 class and was shocked to discover the true value of a swatch. I have never been one to swatch for gauge nor for any other reason, but I saw her swatch box and was . . . okay, I’ll admit it - jealous.

I did the swatch project that she suggested. I got out some bulky yarn and made swatches for 6 sizes of needles. Same cast on, same pattern. I started to see the point of the swatch. I measured each square before and after I blocked and noted those things down. Then as Nancy suggested, I secured them together and noted the information on a tag. I was surprised by the knowledge gathered in such a quick process.

Then I watched the part where Nancy gets out her swatch box. It is filled with all sorts of swatches of patterns that she found interesting. She then tags them with the relevant info so if she wants to add that to a design or change up a pattern, she can dive into her box. So I have started my own swatches.

I have decided to swatch any pattern in a project before I start. It usually takes me a couple of rounds to get a rythm to the pattern and it often where I make mistakes. (Recently, I made a doozy in Joji’s Pluma Morada and my patterns sections are way off. I am kind of finicky and will likely unravel the project and restart as the error is way back).

Honestly, I cannot believe that I am saying this as I always hated the extra step of swatching, but try it. It becomes quite addictive.