Many new crocheters and knitters don’t realize just how important hook or needle size or even gauge is. I learned the hard way. My son was starting a website called Nova Scotia Days. He asked me to sew him up some masks in Nova Scotia Tartan to sell on Etsy as well. When he saw a hat I was crocheting, he asked me to make him a few of those to sell as well. I was using super bulky yarn so I could crochet a couple an evening. Using the hook the pattern called for a size 9mm, I set out to make a bunch. I could not try them on because I have a larger than normal head, so all hats are too small. I made about twelve hats and sent them to him. It turned out they were tiny. My next bigger hook was 11.5mm, so I tried that hook and the hat fit me so I sent for a size 10 mm. The same happened to my knit cabled cowl. The bigger circular knitting needles are on their way.
I have been crocheting and knitting for decades. Most things I make gauge don’t matter, things like mittens or scarves or afghans, so I didn’t bother. Usually, we find the gauge at the beginning of the pattern after the material list. There is a good reason to have it there, so you see it before the instructions. The gauge will say what stitch, how many rows, and how many stitches, and what crochet hook to use. What this means is if you crochet a swatch of 13 stitches and 11 rows with a 5.5 mm hook should equal 4 inches. If what you end up with is smaller, use a bigger hook, but if it is bigger, go down a size. Then make another swatch to measure.
Gauge is Important for Making Clothes
Gauge is so important for my next project, I would like to make a top, not a bulky sweater but a nice top. I have been checking out Ravelry. I can see that checking the gauge would be very important. It would be a shame to go to all that work and not have the garment fit. I don’t know if I would be able to frog (crocheting term for unraveling your work) a sweater or top. What a time-waster, not to mention a money waster.
Gauge is Very Important for Filet Crochet
Gauge and hook size is very important for filet crochet. I love filet crochet; it is like shading where you either fill a space with double crochet or leave it blank (hole). The squares need to be square, so the picture makes sense. This is where tension or gauge needs to be correct. I made a picture of a shepherd holding a lamb. He turned out to be short and fat. I don’t think there are many chubby shepherds out there. (They walk all day)
Check Your Gauge
I am going to suggest that you should curb your excitement in a new project by checking your gauge and hook size. Check that gauge first before starting the project. Make sure you read over your pattern before you start so you won’t have any surprises along the way. You will be much happier with your results the first time. So much better than having to unravel the project and starting over. Better to be happy with a finished project than frustrated.
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