Hi everybody! I’m Pia Thadani from Stitches n Scraps. Clover recently sent me a free Swatch Ruler and Needle Gauge to try, and invited me to share my thoughts with you in this guest post.
Clover is also providing a Swatch Ruler and Needle Gauge as a giveaway prize. See all the giveaway details on Stitches n Scraps. The giveaway ends on May 3rd, 2019, so hurry and get your entries in!
Between hooks, cutters, and darning needles, I have a lot of different “must-have” Clover tools that I use on a regular basis. I could tell right away that this Swatch Ruler and Needle Gauge will be another one. This versatile tool has 3 different functions.
Swatch Ruler
Gauge is so important in both knitting and crochet. Did you know it affects not only the size of your finished project but also the texture and amount of yarn needed? Read more about why gauge matters, tips on how to measure it, and how to make adjustments in this All About Gauge post on my blog.
In most patterns, gauge is expressed as a number of stitches and rows in a 4 inch (or 10 cm) square. The 4-inch square opening in the Swatch Ruler visually isolates the area you are measuring, making it much easier to count the stitches. The stitches all around are blocked by the edges of the ruler, so all you see is what you are counting.
The Swatch Ruler can be used with either US or metric measurements. Two sides show measurements in inches, and the other two in centimeters.
Needle Gauge
I never realized how much I needed a needle gauge until I started knitting socks. The markings on those tiny needles can be so difficult to read, and most double pointed needles have no markings at all!
The Swatch Ruler includes a needle gauge around the outside edge, with US, metric, and Japanese measurements. To use it, simply find the smallest hole that your needle will fit in. The label on that hole shows the size of your needle.
Hook Gauge
Needle gauges are great for needles but can be harder to use with crochet hooks. The crochet hook gauge has notches instead of holes, making it easier to slide hooks in. The smallest notch that the shaft of your hook fits into indicates the size of your hook.
The hook gauge fits neatly into the square hole of the swatch ruler. Both pieces are thin but sturdy, and have already found a new home in my favorite project bag.
Remember to check out my All About Gauge post and enter the giveaway!
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