Crocheting Gauge Swatches in the Round

If you are crocheting a hat, a cowl, or a seamless sweater, you are likely working in a continuous spiral without turning your work.

However, most people still gauge swatch by working flat rows (turning back and forth). The problem is that your tension is often different when you work flat versus when you work in the round. If you swatch flat for a circular project, your finished item might not fit correctly.

To get an accurate measurement, you need to swatch in the round. The good news is that you don’t need to cut your yarn or waste material to do it. You can use the Loop Method.

How to do it

1. Set Up Chain enough stitches to get the width you need (at least 6 inches). Crochet your first row.

2. The Loop At the end of the row, do not turn your work. Instead, pull up a long loop of working yarn (approximately 3").

3. Reset the Row Remove your hook from the stitch. Go back to the beginning of the row (the right side). Insert your hook into the first stitch of the row you just finished.

4. Pick Up the Working Yarn Grab the working yarn coming from your ball (not the loop you created at the end).

• The 3" loop should hang loosely at the edge of your swatch.

• Bring the working yarn across the back of your swatch.

• Crucial Step: Make sure this strand across the back is loose enough that it doesn't pull or scrunch the fabric.

5. Work the Next Row Chain 1 (or the appropriate number of chains for the stitch you are using), then crochet across the row with the working yarn.

6. Repeat At the end of the row, pull up a new 3" loop, go back to the start, and do it again. Continue until your swatch measures at least 6x6 inches.

Why use this method?

• It’s Accurate: It mimics exactly how you crochet in the round (always working on the Right Side).

• No Waste: You aren't cutting the yarn at the end of every row, so you can unravel the swatch and reuse the yarn.

• Better Fit: Because there are no tight strands pulling on the back, the fabric relaxes naturally, giving you a true measurement.

Block your Swatch

Once complete, you must block the swatch. Do not stretch or pin it aggressively. Instead, treat the swatch exactly as you intend to treat the finished object.

• If you will machine wash and dry the item: Machine wash and dry the swatch.

• If you will hand wash and lay flat: Soak the swatch, squeeze out the water, and gently pat it flat on a towel without distorting the stitches.

Allow it to dry completely. Fabric changes dimensions when wet and relaxes when dry. Only measure once it has reached its final, resting state.