Tension question

[nothernexposure]

For the first time ever on my knitting career of 30+ years I've actually knitted a tension square as I'm fed up of stuff not being the right measurements. But what does it mean!!! I've done more than the recommended no of rows/stitches and it's too small! I'm nowhere near the 10 x 10 cm it should be. Does this mean I need to go up a size in needles? (Currently using 3 mm needles).

TiA

[bigbuttons]

yes, it means your tension is tight. Go up a size or even half a size and see if it works out. I knit loosely so I always have to go down a needle. I rarely do tensions squares know as I know my tension.

[nothernexposure]

Thanks, my last effort was mahoosive and unwearable (and spent 3 months knitting it so really p'd off!) so I assume I knit too loosely. Must be more tense this time round....... I'd tried to read up about it but it made no sense to be at all!

Thanks again.

[bigbuttons]

It was probably the pattern, some are really odd. I'm knitting loads of jumpers at the moment and the arms on the pattern are designed to fit a bloody gibbon.
There is a great book I am thinking of getting which lets you make whatever pattern you'd like with whatever wool and needles you happen to have. It gets good reviews, no more ill-fitting knitwear!

[bigbuttons]

think about it. if you knit loosely there is ore space between your stitches so if you are using a tension square then you will not have as many to the inch. whereas of you are a tighter knitter the stitches will be more packed together and will have a higher count per inch. Does that make sense?