Gauge (Knitwear)

Gauge is the number of stitches per inch (or per a fixed width) in a knit — higher gauge (e.g., 12–18gg) is a fine, thin, dressier knit; lower gauge (3–7gg) is a chunky, heavy, casual one. Gauge, plus fiber and ply, determines a sweater’s weight, warmth, and how it layers: a fine-gauge merino goes under a jacket, a low-gauge lambswool stands alone in the cold. Neither is better in the abstract. Knowing the gauge (or seeing a clear close-up of the knit) tells you far more about how a sweater will wear and layer than the styling does.