- Swatching is about getting to know you yarn. Making friends with it, before you start the “real” project. What if it turns out that you chose the wrong yarn for that stitch? Or the wrong stitch for that yarn? A swatch is a better place to discover that mismatch that halfway through a sweater you will never end up wearing.
- Swatching is a great way to practice new stitches you’ve never done before, without having to commit to a huge project, or one that really matters.
- If you make your swatches the same finished size, you can stitch them together to make other things, so they are not “going to waste”. Make pillows, or if you are adventurous, a blanket. And yes, in something like this, you could consider mixing weights and colors and fibers! It might be really interesting, and you won’t feel like you are wasting the finished swatch.
- Make your stitch practice swatches our of cotton yarn and use them as washcloths! Who cares if there are a few mistakes in those? Better there than in your hat where it might impact fit, or show!