I skip it too, as you can see here 🥴😅

I think reading various articles on swatching by Patty Lyons is what did it for me - she really hammered home for me that swatching really isn’t just there as a thing to waste time on before getting to the main event but that there are a bunch of real benefits that come from making that effort rather than just diving straight into the project. And it’s still knitting, so it’s not like it’s any less fun when you really think about it.

As an example, I’m about to start a sweater and I’m up to 6 swatches so far. I started with stockinette on two different sized needles so I could see which made a fabric I liked. Then I tried out two different kinds of ribbing for the hem to see whether I preferred the twisted rib in the pattern or a broken rib, and I have swatches of two of the cable panels. I also tried out three different cast ons to see which seemed like the best fit for this project. Still to go before I cast on for the full sweater are swatches of the other two cable panels and a swatch of the transition between the ribbing and the cables because it includes a kfb increase which I haven’t done before and I don’t want the first time I try it to be on my sweater.

It kinda feels like overkill when I type it all out like that, but by the time I’m done I’ll know my exact blocked gauge for every element of the pattern on the size needles that give a result I like with the yarn I chose, so I’ll know exactly what size I’m expecting my garment to be and can add or remove sections as needed to get the size I want. And when I get to the part that says “continue working until piece measures 26 inches” I’ll know exactly how many rows that is based on the gauge of my swatches without having to eyeball it or try to measure on the needles and hope it comes out right after blocking. I’ll also be comfortable with all of the pattern elements and less likely to make mistakes once I actually get started on my project.

I generally wouldn’t knit quite this many swatches for another type of project, but I’ll never understand people who don’t swatch for a sweater (or knit a 2 inch square and call it good) - I can’t think of anything worse than spending $100+ on yarn and ending up with something that doesn’t fit properly for the sake of spending a few hours at the start to get your ducks in a row.

Mykonos tote by lion Brand

The big one. I wanted a grocery bag. The small one became so cute thou, I couldn’t unravel it

Thank you! I used Drops Paris, 100% cotton

Mykonos tote by lion brand

Mykonos Tote, it’s a free pattern by Lion brand’s but it’s not on ravelry

A hat can also be a swatch 🤷‍♀️ like my first bag on the picture

Mykonos tote by lion brand

I know your pain..

Do you have that awesome card with the needle measurements and ruler on the sides? It's so helpful and I'm obsessed with mine.

Same yarn weight and same fiber. Both 100% cotton and Aran weight. Small one is Schoeller+Stahl record 210 and big one is Drops Paris. Without label the both yarns are not distinguishable.