Today we reviewed the need to do a tension swatch on the 9mm chunky machine in order to plan out a sweater. I’ve done this before (the tension swatch) for the standard 4.5mm machine (2023 Oct 24)
Using the tension swatch in the SK155 manual with some alterations here is what I did to make today’s tension swatch:
Using 30 total needles, pull into hold position and use project yarn to cast on with a chain cast on.
Knit 10 rows
Add a marker contrast color and work two rows - tie start yarn tail to end yarn tail.
Knit 15 rows
Mark two needles with scrap yarn: Push both 11th needles from the centre (0) to D position and place a pice of contrast yarn on each of those needle hooks. Then push those needles back toward B position by hand.
Knit 15 rows
Add a marker contrast color and work two rows - tie start yarn tail to end yarn tail.
While the machine book suggests just knitting 10 row, we will instead:
knit 8 rows and in this row create K2tog that equals the stitch width setting on the carrier (ie. 2=two holes)
Knit 2 rows.
Once off th emachine roll it into a tube from side to side and pull it lengthwise.
Later you can use the correct ruller withj stitches noted with the S ruler.
To measure ROW use the R ruler. Measure between contrast rows.
Machine book - Gauge Scale:
This scale is desinged to get how many stiches and rows 100cm, measuring between yarn marks on the tension swatch. The scale has two sides. The S side is used for measuring stitches and the R side is for Rows.
Measuring the tension swatch:
Stitch (horizontal)
Place the gauge scale (blue) with the S side up onto the tension swatch so as the left end of the scale is touching the inside of the stitch in a contrast yarn. Measur eto the point of the other contrast stitch and the number which corresponds with this stitch. The scale should be read from the side indicated by the arrow, ie.e. from the left side.
Row (vertical)
Place the gauge scale (blue) witht the R side up, onto the tension swatch so as it covers aht elgnth in between the rows knitted in a contrast yarn. Measure this length and the nunber indicated on the scale shoul dbe read from the side indicated by the arrow.