What It Is

Gauge is the number of stitches and the number of rows in a given stitch pattern within a certain number of inches, usually 4 inches. It will generally look like this:

12 sts and 9 rows = 4” in HDC, unblocked

This means that you will need 12 HDC stitches across to measure 4” and 9 rows of HDC to measure 4” with a particular hook size (stated in the pattern).

In crochet, you might also see gauge listed based on the size of a motif or square, for example:

1 motif = 2.5”

Why We Use It

Gauge helps to determine the size of your finished project.

Rather than working the entire project to find out if it will be the right size, we work a small swatch to see if we are getting the same stitch and row counts listed in the pattern (gauge). If the gauge matches, the finished project will match in size, too.

Each of us holds our hook differently and maintains different tension, which results in different stitch sizes.

Even if a designer gets 12 HDC stitches in 4”, this does NOT mean that you will get the same results with the same hook size and yarn. It is important to check your own gauge for each project to make sure that you have the same number of stitches and the same number of rows in a given number of inches or that your motif is the same size. Always use the hook that gets YOU the correct gauge.

Gauge also helps you determine how much yarn you will need.

If your gauge is too loose, your stitches will be too big, and you might need extra yarn to finish the project.

When It's Important

Do you ALWAYS need to meet gauge? Not Necessarily.

When is Gauge NOT Important?

You might encounter a project where it says, “Gauge is not important for this pattern.” This shows up often in amigurumi patterns where it is difficult to count stitches and rows, and it doesn’t matter if the amigurumi you make is slightly larger or smaller.

When is Gauge KIND OF Important?

Gauge might be more important for a shawl, scarf, or afghan. If you want any of these projects to exactly match the listed finished size, you need to make sure gauge matches. However, if you are willing to let your final measurements have a little wiggle room, you could skip checking gauge for projects like this.

When is Gauge SUPER Important?

You really need to check gauge for anything that you want to fit a certain way, especially for hats and garments. If you want the finished project to match the listed finished size, you must get gauge (meaning you have the same number of stitches and the same number of rows in 4”, using whatever hook size will get you there). It helps ensure your project will fit!

How To Check Gauge

1: Swatch

Begin by making a swatch in the stitch pattern listed in the gauge part of your pattern. Aim to have your swatch measure 5-6″ square. You may be asking, “I don’t want to make a swatch to begin with; why would I make it bigger than the 4″ the pattern lists?”. Here’s why! Make the gauge swatch larger than the inches listed in the gauge so you don’t have to count edge stitches, or in case the gauge decreases in size a bit.

2: Block

Blocking relaxes the stitches and gives you a true picture of how the fabric will appear when finished. Leave the swatch unblocked if the gauge specifically states it is unblocked. For more on blocking, visit our How To Block webpage.

3: Count!

Check to see if you have the correct number of stitches and rows within 4 inches. Be sure to measure the center of your swatch and avoid counting edge stitches or the first or last row. We really like the WeCrochet Ruler (shown below in Birch) for checking gauge, but a basic ruler will work as well. A swatch tool can also be helpful. Find all the hooks, rulers, and tools you need to get crochet gauge at crochet.com!

If the gauge does not match the listed gauge, you will need to adjust.

If your gauge DOES match, awesome! You are ready to start your project.

Bonus Tip: After working the first few rows, it is often helpful to check your gauge again by making sure the circumference of the pattern (or width, etc.) matches the listed finished size. It’s easy to count stitches and accidentally stretch your project a little, so this is a good way to double-check that your gauge does indeed match and your project will fit.

Finding Stitches and Rows

When counting Single Crochet stitches, look for the Vs, which are the fronts of the stitches:

When counting Single Crochet rows, you’ll look for the Vs and the ^s, which are the backs of the stitches:

How To Adjust Gauge

Too Many Stitches or Rows

If you find you have too many stitches or too many rows within the given dimension, that means that your stitches are smaller than the listed gauge (more of them are fitting into a certain amount of space). You will need to adjust your hook size to help your stitches get larger. Do this by moving up a hook size.

Too Few Stitches or Rows

If your gauge has too few stitches or too few rows in the given dimension, that means your stitches are too big, and you need something to help tighten them up. Switch to a smaller crochet hook.

Only the Row Gauge is Off

It gets much trickier if your stitch gauge matches, but your row gauge does not. In most instances, it is best to go with the hook size that allows your stitch gauge to match. Typically your stitch gauge will be impacting the width of your pattern, while the row gauge will impact the length of your pattern.

You can try to lengthen or shorten your rows by how you complete the stitch (pulling yarn through the starting loop more to lengthen or less to shorten). This is easy to forget.

If that doesn’t work, try fewer rows (if your stitches are too tall and your gauge count has a smaller number) or extra rows (if your stitches are too short and your gauge count has a larger number). This is usually an easier change than adjusting the number of stitches because changing the stitch count might cause you to alter stitch patterns that are worked in a multiple.

Other Gauge Alteration Tips

We talked about changing your hook size to change your gauge, which is the easiest and first thing that you should try. But what if that doesn’t work? What do you do then?

1: Try a different kind of hook. If you are using a wooden hook, try a metal or plastic hook. Changing the material of your hook will change the way that your yarn slides over the hook, which could impact the tension that you have and, ultimately, your crochet gauge.

2: Try a different yarn of the same weight. If it isn’t the same yarn the pattern calls for, you might want to try something else. Yes, we do have weight classifications for yarn, but not all yarns fit perfectly into those classifications. Two yarns could be a worsted weight, but one could still be slightly thicker than the other.

Does Everyone Else Get Gauge on Their First Try?

The short answer is no! It is very common to need to go up or down a hook size to match gauge. This is why it is helpful to have an entire hook set on hand (rather than just the listed size) so that you can move up and down in size relatively easily. The Bright Hook Set from WeCrochet is our favorite!