The Cult of the Perfect Gauge: Obsession, Perfectionism, and Ritual in Craft

Join host Gea on this deep-dive episode of Skein and Tell as she dares to enter the sacred and slightly unhinged temple of tension: gauge.

From cryptic pattern instructions and sacrificial swatches to the emotional spiral of “Why doesn’t it fit?!”, this episode explores the rituals, myths, and madness of chasing the perfect stitch-per-inch. Whether you’re a swatch sorcerer or a no-gauge rebel who just vibes and prays, this is your crash course in measuring, managing, and maybe even making peace with your tension.

You’ll discover:

• What gauge actually is (and why it’s secretly running your crafting life)
• The difference between helpful swatching and full-on perfectionist chaos
• When to obey gauge, when to rebel, and when to just... give the project to someone smaller
• Real gauge horror stories from the Hobbii team (prepare for the baby romper that fit a toddler)
• How to approach gauge with curiosity instead of fear (and maybe a sacrificial skein)
• Plus, don’t miss our  Archaeology of Yarn  segment with Yarndiana Jones, who reveals how ancient Romans dyed their wool with literal pee, fermented snails, and imperial sass

Whether you’re Team Swatch or Team Chaos, this episode is a hilarious, heartfelt journey into the rituals we build around craft and why perfectionism doesn’t have to run the show.

Tag your stitch confessions with #skeinandtell or #hobbiipodcast, on social media, so we can all read them!

And last but not least, send your best (or worst) gauge stories to Gea to [e-mail]  or leave them in a comment!