close up of a speed swatch on circular knitting needle in green wool with bright teal pattern

Speech Swatching: In order to size garments correctly, swatching is essential - but it is not always loved. For circular color-pattern garments, I find my version of a speed swatch to be of great benefit, because you can:

- knit it relatively easily and quickly

- verify both gauge and color choices

- knit on the ‘right’ side; thus achieving a circular gauge on a flat swatch

- rip the swatch if you run short of wool for your project, since you do not break the strands at the end of each swatch row

I have written an article on it for the Early Fall issue of Vogue Knitting, and the video here details its purpose and method.

Good knitting,

Meg