🧶Stretchability – is the key to a successful garment
Have you ever knitted a sweater that ended up being way too big – or socks that could have fit a child instead of an adult? Then you've probably encountered the most important factor in the world of knitting: knitting tension .
What exactly is knitting tension?
The knitting tension tells you how many stitches and rows you get per 10 cm in width and height when knitting with a specific needle size and yarn.
For example, a recipe might say:
Knitting tension: 22 stitches = 10 cm
This means that if you knit 22 stitches in stockinette stitch, the sample should measure 10 cm in width. If this is not correct, you will need to adjust the needle size.
Why is knitting tension so important?
The knitting tension determines the size of the garment . Even small deviations can have a big impact:
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If you have more stitches per 10 cm than the pattern says, knit tighter → the garment will be smaller .
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If you have fewer stitches per 10 cm , knit more loosely → the garment will be larger .
A small example:
If you are going to knit a sweater with 200 stitches in circumference, and the pattern calls for 22 stitches in 10 cm, that means the garment should be approximately 90 cm around.
But if you knit with 20 stitches on 10 cm, you suddenly get:
200 stitches ÷ 20 stitches × 10 cm = 100 cm in circumference.
That's a whole 10 cm difference!
How to measure knitting tension
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Knit a swatch that is larger than 10 × 10 cm (preferably 14–15 cm).
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Lay it flat, without stretching .
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Measure 10 cm in the middle of the patch – not at the edges.
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Count how many stitches you have within the measurement, and how many rows of 10 cm in height.
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Compare with the recipe and adjust the pin size if necessary.
🔸 Tip: Knit the sample in the same pattern as the garment (stockings, structure, pattern, rib). Different techniques give different knitting tension!
How to calculate circumference or length yourself
If you want to customize a garment, it is useful to be able to calculate the knitting tension a little .
Formula for width:
Number of stitches ÷ number of stitches per 10 cm × 10 = width in cm
Example:
You have 180 stitches and knit 24 stitches = 10 cm
→ 180 ÷ 24 × 10 = 75 cm in circumference
Formula for height:
Number of rows ÷ number of rows per 10 cm × 10 = height in cm
With these formulas, you can easily calculate how long or wide something will be, and adjust whether you want the garment shorter, longer, narrower or wider.
A little tip from me
Knitting tension isn't just about numbers – it's about feeling .
The swatch also gives you the opportunity to feel how the yarn behaves, how firm or airy you like the fabric, and how it drapes.
So don't skip the sample patch – it could save you a lot of bouncing later! 💛