When I first started to crochet I learned, without a pattern, to make slippers. This was my first lesson in tension as well as gauge. Needless to say, one slipper could fit my 6 year old and the other my 3 year old. How tightly you crochet (tension) determines the gauge of your work. When you read a yarn label there is a small diagram that will tell you how many stitches and rows you will need to get the appropriate gauge. Going from there you can either increase or decrease your hook size to make your square match what is says on the label. This is called your gauge. |
At this point I'm seriously kicking myself for tossing those slippers out because they'd be so perfect to show right about now. Oh well, you win some, you lose some. As you continue learning how to crochet you will find the most comfortable way to hold your yarn and your tension will change then become constant. What is tension? It's basically how tightly you hold the yarn. I've noticed through teaching, and my own learning, that when people learn to crochet their tension is tight. That means that they crochet smaller stitches. It's also why I recommend to people in my classes to try with a bigger hook first so that they can understand what I mean by terms like front loop, back loop and stitch.
So, how does hook size impact the gauge of your project? Here is a little example of what I'm talking about:
So, how does hook size impact the gauge of your project? Here is a little example of what I'm talking about:
These hearts were all made with Bernat Super Saver worsted weight yarn. They were all made the with same pattern (found at the bottom of this post). However the one on the left is much smaller than the one on the right. That is the impact of what using a different sized hook can do to your project.
That being said, not all worsted weight yarns are the same either and you should take into consideration what the label suggests when you are about to start a project. A gauge swatch is usually provided with the pattern you want to make so that you can make sure that you are using the right hook. Remember, just because you crochet at the same tension every time, that doesn't mean that the designer crochets at the same tension that you do. I know there are a lot of crocheters out there who don't bother with doing a gauge swatch. I myself am the same way. Have I been caught by it? Yes absolutely! By that I mean that I did a whole project then realized that it was too small or too big and had to start over. Frustrating!!!!!
In the long run, working up a gauge swatch is easy and it will save you time. Trust someone who knows. You don't want the frustration of frogging (ripping out) something because you didn't take the time to check your gauge. It's worse than when you skip a stitch or make a small error! Anyway, enough about gauge, here's the free heart pattern I promised.
Heart Pattern
Abbreviations
ch - chain
dc - double crochet
tc - treble crochet
sl st - slip stitch
Start with a magic ring
Do the following stitches into the middle of the ring.
ch 3, 3 tc, 3 dc, ch1, 1tc, ch 1, 3 dc, 3 tc, 1dc, sl st into ring and pull tight. Fasten off and weave in ends.
The reason that I start with a magic ring instead of ch 3 and sl st to form a ring is because I can then make the middle of the ring as tight as I want.
Your turn:
Have you ever been caught by not doing a gauge swatch?
A lot of people don't use patterns, is it easier for you to just make something than to follow a pattern?
That being said, not all worsted weight yarns are the same either and you should take into consideration what the label suggests when you are about to start a project. A gauge swatch is usually provided with the pattern you want to make so that you can make sure that you are using the right hook. Remember, just because you crochet at the same tension every time, that doesn't mean that the designer crochets at the same tension that you do. I know there are a lot of crocheters out there who don't bother with doing a gauge swatch. I myself am the same way. Have I been caught by it? Yes absolutely! By that I mean that I did a whole project then realized that it was too small or too big and had to start over. Frustrating!!!!!
In the long run, working up a gauge swatch is easy and it will save you time. Trust someone who knows. You don't want the frustration of frogging (ripping out) something because you didn't take the time to check your gauge. It's worse than when you skip a stitch or make a small error! Anyway, enough about gauge, here's the free heart pattern I promised.
Heart Pattern
Abbreviations
ch - chain
dc - double crochet
tc - treble crochet
sl st - slip stitch
Start with a magic ring
Do the following stitches into the middle of the ring.
ch 3, 3 tc, 3 dc, ch1, 1tc, ch 1, 3 dc, 3 tc, 1dc, sl st into ring and pull tight. Fasten off and weave in ends.
The reason that I start with a magic ring instead of ch 3 and sl st to form a ring is because I can then make the middle of the ring as tight as I want.
Your turn:
Have you ever been caught by not doing a gauge swatch?
A lot of people don't use patterns, is it easier for you to just make something than to follow a pattern?