<p>Yes, it does mean that you measure the width(stitches per inch) and ignore the height(rows per inch) when you check your gauge.</p>

<p>Often, patterns that give a stitch gauge but don't give a row gauge will include how long/high to go before moving on to the next section. For instance the instructions for a hat might say:</p>

<p>Cast on 100 st., join in the round. <strong>Work in rib for 1-1/2 inches. Continue in stockinette until the work is 6 inches from the start.</strong></p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-08-09T21:49:14.017Z
2017-08-09T21:49:14.017Z
dstinard
<p>For a scarf/wrap, I am following a pattern that says "Gauge: 25 stitches = 4 inches".</p>

<p>Does this mean I am measuring the width, i.e. the number of stitches cast on, and not the number of rows? I always thought you count the number of rows..</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-07-25T23:06:46.190Z
Welcome! ... not trying to be flippant but - if it's a scarf, does the gauge really matter too much? Without seeing the pattern it's difficult to tell how important it is... often, the info you need to be concerned with for a scarf is how wide it is and you can make it the length you like by simply stopping the knitting. So, (assuming the narrow width is how you're working it) perhaps that's the only part that's really important?
Catija
CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-07-26T01:01:16.333Z
Hmm, I suppose that makes sense - what I want to avoid is having a "loose" looking patterns - I want to make sure I don't see gaps between stitches and rows. That's why I thought the gauge would be more important
Jamie
CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-07-26T01:03:30.657Z
Perhaps if you shared the pattern? Is it from a website?
Catija
CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-07-26T01:14:36.743Z
Yep - this one: https://www.purlsoho.com/create/2014/10/19/cashmere-ombre-wrap/ - doing seed stitch
Jamie
<knitting>
How to interpret this gauge requirement?
Jamie
# How to interpret this gauge requirement?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2017-07-25)

For a scarf/wrap, I am following a pattern that says "Gauge: 25 stitches = 4 inches".

Does this mean I am measuring the width, i.e. the number of stitches cast on, and not the number of rows? I always thought you count the number of rows..

**Tags:** knitting

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: Welcome! ... not trying to be flippant but - if it's a scarf, does the gauge really matter too much? Without seeing the pattern it's difficult to tell how important it is... often, the info you need to be concerned with for a scarf is how wide it is and you can make it the length you like by simply stopping the knitting. So, (assuming the narrow width is how you're working it) perhaps that's the only part that's really important?  
> **username_0**: Hmm, I suppose that makes sense - what I want to avoid is having a "loose" looking patterns - I want to make sure I don't see gaps between stitches and rows. That's why I thought the gauge would be more important  
> **username_1**: Perhaps if you shared the pattern? Is it from a website?  
> **username_0**: Yep - this one: https://www.purlsoho.com/create/2014/10/19/cashmere-ombre-wrap/ - doing seed stitch  

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## 1 answers

### Answer by username_2 on 2017-08-09. Score: 1

Yes, it does mean that you measure the width(stitches per inch) and ignore the height(rows per inch) when you check your gauge.

Often, patterns that give a stitch gauge but don't give a row gauge will include how long/high to go before moving on to the next section. For instance the instructions for a hat might say:

Cast on 100 st., join in the round. **Work in rib for 1-1/2 inches. Continue in stockinette until the work is 6 inches from the start.**


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