A Standard Swatch

One of the best things about machine knitting is the ease of swatching. 

It's allowed me to experiment more with my yarns, and the fabric that I can create. 

I've been doing a lot of swatching as a result. In fact, whenever I get a new yarn that I want to test on the machine, I make a standard swatch. 

I cast on 40 stitches with e-wrap, knit 40 rows as a specific tension, and then cast off. I tag my swatches, measure the gauge, weight and size. 

4-ply Acrylic.I expect to use this yarn for experiments with texture and cables. 

2/14nm 70/30 yak hair/wool. Scrumptiously soft. I will be writing more about using this to make a light cardigan, I hope. 

Some labeled swatches. 2 of them are hand-knitted. 

I will be reporting on my experiments with tension in a few days, I hope.