Comments on: Glittery Shrug Crochet-Along: Choosing a Yarn and Gauge Swatching

By: Quenoharts

Quenoharts — Sun, 17 Jun 2012 03:50:00 +0000

Hi all, I have been following along and I have my yarn, did my gauge swatches and ended up having to use a size “C” hook. Apparently, I crochet rather loosely but my swatch and my shrug are a little stiff as mentioned earlier. I keep hoping as it gets larger it will drape better. I am worried about having to use an “A” hook for the border though, as that is going to be so much tighter. I have modified my pattern a little as well instead of doing the increase on each row, I am only increasing every other row, I am hoping this will make less bulk under the arm but I think I need a little more than none at all. Will let you know how it progresses. As as far as those who are having issues with the row count, that is the one you need to be sure of as mentioned earlier we are crocheting sideways, not lengthwise. Good luck to all of you. I chose the Vanna’s sapphire Glamour yarn and am very pleased with the color. I had a hard time choosing between the red too. It was so tempting. I had to get my yarn at two different stores. Neither one had 8 balls of the same die-lot so I had to settle for one different. I am hoping I don’t have to use it but may incorporate it somewhere that it won’t matter. I can’t tell the difference anyway so hopefully it will be ok.

By: CatalpaKay

CatalpaKay — Mon, 11 Jun 2012 21:23:00 +0000

I am using Patons Lace as well. Having trouble with the guage swatch. Have gone down to an E hook for the larger hook and still getting less stitches in 4 inchs (at about 18). Don’t really want to go to a hook any smaller. How small would the smaller hook need to be. Let me know how you are making out.

By: Dzavala

Dzavala — Tue, 05 Jun 2012 21:45:00 +0000

I got 4″ with an E on single crochet. Need to do the DC but not sure how. I’ve Never done a swatch. I am behind I know. Any tips

By: Vanessa Michelle

Vanessa Michelle — Thu, 31 May 2012 21:01:00 +0000

Hi Rae!

Usually you can assume that the measurement is before blocking, unless the pattern says “after blocking” with the gauge info. If you are using a heavier yarn like cotton, or something that could stretch out like alpaca, it is best to wash your swatch to see what will happen to the fabric. If it stretches out a lot, you know you will need to make it tighter or smaller so you don’t end up with an unfortunately saggy, huge garment! If you are using Vanna’s Glamour, this will not sag after washing like some yarns may.

Vanessa

By: Vanessa Michelle

Vanessa Michelle — Thu, 31 May 2012 20:58:00 +0000

Hi Sandy!

It is better to go with the tighter option, as it is easier to stretch fabric out than it is to make it smaller. When you block your piece, get it wet and pin it out to the measurements you need it to be!

Vanessa
Lion Brand Yarn Studio

By: Woolwines5

Woolwines5 — Thu, 31 May 2012 12:46:00 +0000

Went down to an E hook and still 5 inches, ugh! Really like the look and feel of the G hook so I am going to try and stitch til it makes the 4 inches across and try and adjust the pattern from there. Can’t imagine trying to do this with a smaller hook.

By: Caroliso

Caroliso — Wed, 30 May 2012 22:10:00 +0000

I bought my yarn on Saturday with a nice 20% off coupon from Michael’s that I happened to have lying around. It took me a full 15 minutes to decide between the lapis, sapphire and white, but I finally decided on the lapis and luckily they had 8 balls. When I started my first swatch I was a little worried that it would be too dark to easily find the stitches to crochet, and found myself wishing I’d chosen the white. But after awhile (and with my reading glasses and a spot lamp!) I was breezing along. The lapis with the sparkles in it is really beautiful. I’m looking forward to seeing the finished product.

By: Klemelson

Klemelson — Wed, 30 May 2012 21:10:00 +0000

I received my yarn yesterday. I bought the glamour in garnet. Really love the color and feel. I started my sc swatch and so far looks like the g hook will be what I’ll use.

By: Zontee

Zontee — Wed, 30 May 2012 14:24:00 +0000

Hi Van2man, see my response to Woolwines5 regarding the swatch being larger.

Also, regarding your E-hook swatch being too stiff: did you wash/block your swatch? Most yarns will soften with a washing and it does make a difference in the drape/feel. Hope that helps!

By: Zontee

Zontee — Wed, 30 May 2012 14:11:00 +0000

Hi Woolwines5–if your swatch came out to 5 inches (which is 25% larger than the swatch should be) and you used the directions for the Small, your garment would be 25% larger than the Small size. In this case, that’s 47 inches wide from sleeve to sleeve (versus only 40 inches for the Large size), so I think your garment is going to be significantly larger than you would like it to be. I would definitely recommend moving to a smaller hook. Hope that helps!