Can't get knitting gauge right

16st x 22 rows of Aran yarn on 5.5mm needles should give a swatch of 4" x 4" or 10cms x 10cms.

If yours is only 2" x 2" or 5cms x 5cms that is only half the size, not slightly out, which seems odd.

Smaller needles should mean the swatch is smaller, not larger 🤔

I've knitted a few more with smaller needles as says on the pattern and the latest swatch going right down to 3.5mm needles is still only coming out at 3 inches
I don't understand why the swatch knitted on 3.5mm needles is larger than the one knitted on 5.5mm needles.

Where are the experienced knitters when you need them?

Purplepixie, Doodledog, Chocolatelovinggran, karmalady - anyone?

I’m here, but confuddled 😀

As you say, it’s most unusual for tension to be out as much as that, and the size of a swatch should increase with the size of the needle.

22 rows giving 2 inches of knitting using Aran weight yarn? Are you sure, OP?

All I can suggest is that if all else fails have you someone who would knit the swatch from scratch for you? If so you could give her the yarn and recommended needles and see what happens- that way if you are doing something you don’t realise you’re doing it will come out in the wash.

Are you using the correct yarn?

What you are saying makes no sense especially if you usually get gauge with the recommended yarn and needle size.

You should always block a gauge square but it’s unlikely to make a swatch double in size unless it’s lace.

5.5mm is a typical needle size to use for Aran yarn compared to 4mm for DK.

I’m struggling to think how anyone could knit 16 stitches over 22 rows on 5.5mm needles with Aran and get a 2 inch square. The tension would be almost impossibly tight. You would end up with something with the consistency of a large Shreddie!

As others have said, if you have used 5.5mm needles and ended up with a 2 inch (5 cm) square how can you use a smaller 3.5mm needle and get a larger 3 inch (7.6 cm) square?

4 inches is 10 cm.

I think you are either getting your metric and imperial measurements mixed up or metric and old UK needle sizing mixed up.

In the UK, a 5.5mm needle is an imperial UK size 5 while 3.5mm falls between old UK size 10 (3.25mm) and old UK size 9 (3.75mm)

Another explanation could be to do with US needle sizing which go the other way around to UK imperial. That’s why you are getting conflicting information on Google.

In UK imperial sizing, the the bigger the number the smaller the needlle. In US sizing the bigger the number the bigger the needle.

US 9 is the equivalent of 5.5mm and US 4 the equivalent of 3.5mm.

I suggest you start again and make sure you are using either 5.5mm needles or an imperial UK 5 (US 9).

If you resolve this, I do hope you come back to explain what the issue was.

Back to basics, as though you were starting again.

First check that the wool really is aran thickness, not just aran look-alike. UK aran thickness s 9-12 wraps per inch, you could test that by wrapping around a ruler from one inch mark to the next and then count the strands which should be laying next to each other with no spaces

Then double check your needle size

To make the swatch, cast on 28 stitches, k 4 rows garter stitch first and last, with side edges of 3 garter stitches all the way up. After a few rows in whatever stitch you are testing for swatch, insert a tiny safety pin marker 3 stitches in from the side garter stitches (or different colour fine sewing thread ). That will give you the 16 stitches.

Cast off, mark the needle size with 2 sets of knots on the beginning and end strands. eg for 5mm, I use 5 knots on one side. For 4.5 I use 4 knots on one side and 2 knots on the other thread

Soak the swatch in lukewarm water with a tiny bit of wool wash. Press in a towel and dry flat. Block if you like with pins stuck into an ironing board. If pure wool then use steam from above and hand pat

When dry then measure between the markers. You should be able to estimate best needle size from that. The most important measurement is number of stitches

This is how I make my swatches, how I would make the swatch for OP pattern

When laying strands on a ruler, don`t stretch the yarn

I use a wooden wpi gauge for my homespun yarns

Also repeat the pins twice more as you knit the swatch, then examine the average width for the 16 stitches between the pins

Graphite is offering excellent advice. There is no logical explanation for what you are experiencing and it must be very frustrating.
I am an experienced knitter but have never heard of Karmalady’s ruler trick. Always good to learn something new.

I’m here, but confuddled 😀

Thanks, everyone, I was completely befuddled or confuddled or just plain confused too! 😂

If you resolve this, I do hope you come back to explain what the issue was.
Yes, me too!

I’m sure this is a stupid question but - are you knitting your gauge swatch in the pattern of the jumper? I rarely get gauge but have never been this far out.

Here's where confusion might lie:

Ps UK crochet hook sizes follow UK knitting needle sizes.

Allira

Ps UK crochet hook sizes follow UK knitting needle sizes.

Or metric now.

Apologies Graphite, you already posted a similar gauge comparison (couldn't enlarge it).

I must be befuddled this morning!

I'm very befuddled! Thank you everyone for your great advice some of which I didn't know like karmalady's Aran ruler tip My Aran yarn is 11 wraps to the inch and using the correct pins and my gauges have been done as always in stocking stitch . I've just finished a jumper which is spot on with the finished pattern sizing and I've never had this gauge problem before. I'm off to the shops now to get a 6mm needle to see if that makes a difference.

I think you're right. Has the OP come back yet to clarify? Please put us confounded knitters out of our misery!,

Sorry posted before reading the OPs update.

I've since realised that I was knitting with 2 differing size needles at the same time so assume this had something to do with it. How on earth that happened I do not know. Either I was having another one of my granny moments, a gremlin has caused mischief in my needle bag or should have gone to Specsavers! After a wasted trip to town for a 6mm. I have the right gauge using the right 5.5mm needles. Thank you again all for your help and advice and sorry that I've wasted your time. I must be getting old!

Glad you've sorted it. Don't worry, that type of thing happens. You really must post a picture of the finished item here for all us confuddled gransknitters.

I will but I'm a slow knitter so will probably be spring before it's finished. I thought I was going mad but just seems it's a case of away with the fairies