# [Garter-bordered Practice Swatch](https://threadcabin.com/crafts/57/garter-bordered-practice-swatch)

> A small stockinette field framed by garter stitch for practicing chart reading, measuring and picking up an edge.

- Canonical page: https://threadcabin.com/crafts/57/garter-bordered-practice-swatch
- Language: en
- Published: 2026-09-06T17:58:54.4381955+00:00
- Updated: 2026-09-06T17:58:54.5479362+00:00
- Craft: Knitting
- Difficulty: Basic
- Estimated time: 1.5 h
- Primary image: [Garter-bordered Practice Swatch: approximate rendered sample paired with its editable knitting chart](https://threadcabin.com/images/crafts/knitting-bordered-swatch.png)

## About this template

This flat 22-stitch, 24-row chart shows the fabric as seen from the right side. Knit all stitches for the first and last four rows. In the middle 16 rows, knit the right-side rows; on wrong-side rows knit the three edge stitches at each side and purl the middle 16. The alternating knit/purl chart symbols at the edges represent garter stitch, not instructions to purl those stitches on the wrong side.

## Make it yours

Keep the border when enlarging the central measuring area; this small sample is not automatically large enough for a reliable 10 cm gauge measurement. Finish it according to the yarn label. Practice edge pickup with the [guide](/explore) and [pickup planner](/tools/stitch-pickup-planner). This is a practice template, not a garment or tested fit.

## Recommended equipment

- **Knitting needles**: Needles matched to the yarn label and the fabric you want; test on a finished swatch. ([Open Explore guide](https://threadcabin.com/explore/1/knitting-needle-forms-straight-circular-and-double-pointed))
- **Project yarn**: Smooth, light-coloured yarn for seeing the stitch columns and garter ridges clearly. ([Open Explore guide](https://threadcabin.com/explore/15/yarn-label-anatomy-turn-symbols-and-numbers-into-decisions))
- **Gauge ruler and swatch tools**: Use a rigid metric ruler with at least a 10 cm span; wash and rest a representative swatch before choosing the working needle. ([Open Explore guide](https://threadcabin.com/explore/2/gauge-is-a-fabric-measurement-not-a-needle-promise))