A swatch is a small piece of knitting made before or during a project to test the fabric. It helps you check gauge, see how the yarn behaves, and decide whether you like the result.
For a useful garment swatch, make it larger than the measuring area, wash it in the same way you plan to wash the finished item, let it dry flat, and measure in the calm centre of the fabric.
A swatch is not a test you pass or fail. It is information that helps you choose a needle size or adjust a plan before many hours of knitting are involved.
