Gauge

Hello my name is Cheri. I'm just learning to knit and I'm really enjoying it.

I'm just a little confused about a gauge. I know how to measure a gauge a lil by looking on youtube but when the gauge on a pattern says 18 sts and 24 rows= 4 inches in stockinette st.

So is it telling me to do the 18 sts and 24 rows and that should measure 4 inches from end to end with what says size 8 (5mm) needles.

Another thing I'm confused about is when it says size 8 (5mm) needles or size required to obtain gauge.

Is that telling me that if the size 8 needles don't give me the 4 inches I can use the needles that do on the actual project.

YOUR ANSWER

Usually a tension square is a bit larger than the number of rows and stitches to make measuring easier.

You can check out how to make one on my knitting a tension square page.

If you knit one and the tension does not match the tension specified in the pattern, you should change needles and try again. If the measurement area is smaller, you try bigger needles and if it is larger, you use smaller needles.