The New Year is always a time for reflection in so many areas, but of course today we have to talk about crochet goals!

If you’re wondering what to crochet in the new year, I have some ideas for you.

What to Crochet in 2025

When I was thinking about a theme for this article, a few things came to mind.

I liked the concept of a crochet vision board (seeing all your goals and inspiration in one place on a board), but as a Christian, I don’t like the connotations that come with those.

Then of course there are New Years Resolutions…but let’s be honest. Upwards of 80% of people give up on their resolutions by the end of February.

And this is just crochet – your hobby! It probably isn’t the TOP priority of all the goals you have for this year.

So what could we do instead? A bucket list!

When I think of a bucket list, I think of things I really want to get to in life…but if I don’t get to them, its not the end of the world.

A lot less pressure, right?

Yeah, I thought so, too. With a new baby on the way, some of my crochet goals will have to be more of a bucket list than a hard and fast goal. And that’s okay.

When it comes to our hobbies, life often just happens.

So want to join me in creating a more relaxed list of crochet goals this year? Let’s make a bucket list together! Keep reading for some ideas on making your list.

Crochet bucket List Ideas

1. Add Skills You Want to Learn

The first fun category of things to add to your bucket list is new skills. I love this one!

There is always more to learn in crocheting. Maybe you’re a newbie and you want to learn some new stitches.

Or maybe you’re advanced and you want to learn how to design something this year. There are options for everyone!

Here are some ideas from my website to get you started:

Learn to Crochet Garments: 5 Tips to Overcome Your Fear

Learn New, Exciting Crochet Stitches: Get the Desert Blossom Stitch Dictionary

Delve Into Crochet Colorwork: Learn Tapestry Crochet

2. Add a Fun Pattern for Yourself

Next up, choose a fun pattern that is just for you: no one else! As wives and moms it can be easy to make things for everyone else. This is your chance to browse pinterest and find something fun YOU want to make!

Here are some ideas to get you started too:

Make a Sturdy Crochet Bag: Exploration Beach Bag Pattern

Make Yourself a Romantic Shawl: Sunset Shawl Pattern

Make Yourself a Pair of Gloves: Check out These 10 Patterns

3. Add Organization Goals That Will Make Crafting Easier

Now it’s time to get practical: organization! Your crochet goals don’t ALL have to be centered around making new things.

Maybe it’s time to make a goal of organizing your yarn – getting a new storage solution, for example!

Or maybe you have WIPs stashed in every corner and it’s time to find a good place for all of them.

Whatever it is, you know your home best. Pick something that will make your crochet AND overall life easier!

And stay tuned, because I have an article with organization ideas coming soon.

4. Add Goals to Use What You Already Have

Now this one isn’t always as fun, but it is a good category to include…using what you already have.

This could mean lots of different things. It could mean doing some stash-busting challenges to use yarn you already have.

It could also mean finishing some WIPs you’ve been avoiding.

Either way, this is a great slot to add something you don’t really want to do, but you know you should do.

5. Add a Practical, Useful Pattern

Okay, back to the fun! Lol. Another great pattern to add to your list is something practical.

Something you can feel good about creating because it will be put to good use! Personally, I LOVE these types of patterns.

Here are some ideas:

Perfect for the Kitchen: Make a Crochet Dish Towel

Organize Plastic Bags: Bag Holder Crochet Pattern

6. Add Holiday Goals

I know, I know…we just finished with the Holidays. But, it is never too early to think ahead – and Christmas isn’t the only Holiday either!

For example, I want to add some other seasonal/holiday decor to my personal bucket list.

Valentine’s Day will be coming up here soon, and before you know it we’ll get into the later Holidays too. So brainstorm now!

Get Ahead on Valentine’s: Crochet Heart Coaster Pattern

Get Ahead on Easter: Crochet Cross Wall Hanging

Get REALLY ahead on Christmas: Tree Trivet Pattern

My Bucket List

Want to see a sample list? Here’s what is going on my bucket list this year:

1. Skills I want to learn: how to design baby clothes
2. Fun Pattern for me: make myself crochet socks!
3. Organization Goal: finish organizing my craft room and get all my WIPS in one place
4. Using What I Already Have: I have an old thrifted crochet bedspread (its beautiful!) that I need to repair before the baby comes
5. Useful Pattern: Make a crochet bib and/or other useful things for baby
6. Holiday Goals: Finish stockings for me, hubby, and new baby (couldn’t finish them this year because I’ve had pregnancy arthritis! Sad, I know!) Also make seasonal decor for my new home.

Conclusion

I hope you enjoyed these ideas for creating a 2025 crochet bucket list. There are really endless things and the awesome part is, you can customize it to make it your own. What will you put on yours? Grab a pen and paper and get started!

SHARING IS CARING!

If you did enjoy this post, I would love if you shared it in the following places so many MORE people can see it!

• Pin to Pinterest – just hover over any of the photos in this post and click “save”
• Tag me in your Instagram posts
• Share photos in my Facebook Group

Happy Crocheting!

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Why Freehand

I came across a reddit thread recently, and in it several crocheters were talking about freehanding. They made an important point: that if you just rely on patterns your whole life, you never understand the “why” behind them.

Of course, one of my missions at Desert Blossom Crafts is to bring explain that “why” behind my patterns and tutorials. So this topic excites me!

In the following tips, I’ll give you some tips for freehanding your projects. As you read it, make sure you’re not just thinking about the action steps, but also your mindset while you crochet!

We’ll dive into this more below.

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Tips for Freehanding Crochet Projects

1. Think in Methods, Not Patterns

One of the biggest mistakes crocheters make is just blindly following patterns without thinking about the WHY behind it.

So before you even start freehanding, you’ll want to start having a curious mindset while crocheting.

When you’re following a pattern, don’t just blindly do what it says.

Think about:

• WHY are the stitches this way?
• HOW do they create this flat surface?
• WHEN does this pattern increase to create a perfect triangle?

Questions like this go a long way. The more you’re paying attention to how the nitty gritty things work, the easier it will be when you try to freehand a project.

2. Just Start!

Don’t let fear hold you back. You don’t have to have a certain “level” of preparedness before you freehand something.

At times, you just have to jump in! Grab a yarn and hook that you know go well together and start crocheting.

3. Pick a Stitch

One of the next things you’ll have to do is determine the stitch you’re going to use. You have 2 options here.

You can either use a pre-made stitch from a website, stitch dictionary, etc. (which is totally fine by the way! Lots of designers even do this).

OR – you can come up with a stitch on your own. This takes some trial and error, but it is how I’ve designed most of my lace patterns.

I choose a few simple stitches (usually double crochet, single crochet and chains) and I just start putting them together in different ways.

Maybe I do 3 double crochet, then skip 2 stitches and chain 2. To create a truly unique stitch, you want to start with some sort of base row and then build on it in the following rows.

Really, this all comes down to experimentation! If you’re designing the stitch, make sure you do a small swatch (square) before starting the actual project. You want to be able to take it out if something goes wrong over a small repeat, not a large one.

Remember that shawl picture above? I freehanded that! I started off knowing I wanted a lace stitch. To start, I made a row of double crochet. Then I started adding chains and shells.

I wanted the shawl to lay flat, so as the lace motif gradually got bigger, I made less chains separating the lace and double crochets. The result was what you see below!

4. Determine Your Project, and Study it

Once you’ve picked your stitch, its time to pick your project! The second part of this point is even more important – study that project.

If you’re making a scarf – how wide is common? What yarns are good for scarves?

Scarves are pretty simple since they’re a rectangle, but other projects are harder.

For sweaters – what are the methods available for me to use? Which one would work best with my chosen stitch?

5. Use Patterns as a Guide, but Don’t Copy

When you’re studying the makeup of other projects, be careful. You can use other patterns as a guide, but you should never copy someone else’s design.

Of course, it can be hard to know where this “line” is. Sometimes when you’re looking at the method, you can go “oh I’ll use this method too but with a different design!”

At times that is okay, but it is easy to go too far, so be careful.

One last note on this: there is also a difference if you’re going to be publishing a pattern or not.

If you’re NOT planning to publish the pattern, then sure, you could make someone else’s design in order to learn their method, add your own twist, etc.

6. Don’t be Afraid of Math

I said it…you will often need to use math. I’m not a math person, but I have had to use math more in my crocheting than I ever thought possible.

Math can be used to make sure your increases are evenly spaced…

To make sure your triangle shawl will lay flat…

To size a pattern up or down…

You get the gest. If something is curling weird or the fabric is not doing what you want it to do, it might be a math issue. You might just need to adjust the amount of stitches you’re working, or something similar.

7. Be Willing to Make Mistakes

When you’re freehanding, you don’t have a blueprint. I know that’s why some people stick to patterns only.

But I think that freehanding is a blessing because how do we learn best? Through mistakes.

You will make mistakes when you’re freehanding, but it will make you a better crocheter in the end – because you’re understand the WHY behind what you’re doing. And I think that’s awesome!

Conclusion

I hope this guide to freehanding crochet projects has been helpful to you. Always remember that its a journey, and you won’t get there overnight! Start by freehanding some projects, and pretty soon you’ll be able to design lots of different items!

SHARING IS CARING!

If you enjoyed this post, I would love if you shared it in the following places so many MORE people can see it!

• Pin to Pinterest – just hover over any of the photos in this post and click “save”
• Tag me in your Instagram posts
• Share photos in my Facebook Group

Happy Crocheting!

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These are all questions we ask ourself before starting a crochet sweater project, but even more so when you’re new to it.

Trust me, I know – awhile back I sent out a survey to my email list and there were quite a lot of responses from people who were intimidated by crocheted garments. So, you’re not alone!

Is it actually hard to crochet a sweater?

You may be wondering if your fear is justified or not. Is it really that hard to crochet sweaters?

Well, it really depends on your level, the pattern you choose, and even more factors.

There are plenty of very easy crocheted sweater patterns out there.

If you do some research BEFORE starting, and you choose an easy pattern, your transition into lovely crochet garments can be easy as pie (just like other beginner crochet techniques!)

Here are some tips to get you started on the right track.

1. Learn First

If you want to save yourself mistakes and flopped garments, it can be a good idea to read up on the topic before starting. Here are some things you’ll want to understand:

• How to measure your body
• How to choose the correct size to make
• How ease affects your garments
• How to choose the right yarn
• How to make a gauge swatch

Out of all those topics, I would say the MOST important thing to understand is gauge. That’s because gauge has a huge affect on how your final sweater turns out.

If you have already tried making a gauge swatch and you can never get both the measurements to match up, here is a little secret that can help you.

Now, you can research all these topics on your own, but if want a done-for-you, central place to learn everything, you can also check out my crochet sweater class called the Garment Primer.

2. Face Your Fears

At some point, you will simply have to jump in and try it. We all learn by doing, and we all learn by making mistakes.

I’m not gonna lie to you – you very well may have a sweater project that flops. If only you could see some of my very first sweaters. They were horrendous! (But then again, I didn’t have the internet and I was a teenager. So you already have way more resources than I did).

I know it can be hard to do, but the more you try (and sometimes fail) the more you will learn and the better you will get at making beautiful garments that fit you!

3. Choose the Right Pattern

Now before you go all gung-ho on me and choose a wildly difficult (but none-the-less beautiful) crochet garment…

Take a step back and remember, you will want to choose a pattern that is pretty simple to begin with.

I have two easy cardigan patterns that use a similar construction technique that is perfect for beginners if you want to check them out:

The Becky Cardigan – this one is oversized and simply made from 3 rectangles sewn together, plus sleeves joined and worked in the round. There is a video tutorial included to help you out. See below.

The Angelica Cardigan – this pattern has the same construction. It has been made by hundreds of crocheters, many of whom have told me it was their very first garment!

An example of a pattern type I would NOT recommend for beginners is a top-down crochet sweater. While these types of sweaters are gorgeous, they do require you to know more techniques, such as increasing and decreasing. They are a little less intuitive when you’re a beginner crocheter.

4. Choose the Right Yarn

This is a point I cannot emphasize enough: the yarn you choose for a crochet sweater pattern matters a great deal. Like it matters a LOT!

Just because a pattern calls for worsted weight yarn, does not mean you should go out and buy the cheap value yarn to make your sweater and expect it to turn out great.

Do you have to use the yarn the pattern recommends? While its better to, you don’t have to. But if you choose to substitute, do so carefully. Try to choose a yarn that is comparable to the designer’s yarn – in weight, fiber, etc.

5. Have Fun & Join Communities

Lastly, I have to remind you…this is supposed to be fun! Yes, crocheting garments can be overwhelming. Frustrating at times.

But all in all, enjoy the learning process. One of the best ways to do this is to join crochet communities of other likeminded people. My facebook group is always open for discussion on these types of topics!

Instagram, Flipboard, and YouTube are all other places you can find inspiration.

Conclusion

There are lots of fears to face in life. While crochet garments may seem like a silly thing to be afraid of, I think one of the underlying fears is a fear of failure. We don’t want to try to make something and find out we’re terrible at it. This is understandable, but we can’t let it stop us! I hope this post was encouraging to you today. Hopefully you’re ready to take a step out there and start crocheting your first sweater!

SHARING IS CARING!

If you did enjoy this post, I would love if you shared it in the following places so many MORE people can see it!

• Pin to Pinterest
• Tag me in your Instagram posts
• Share photos in my Facebook Group

Happy Crocheting!

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Well, you’ve come to the right place! In this article I want to show you 5 crochet techniques that look very tricky, but are actually not too hard to learn.

So let’s get right into it!

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1. Crochet Lace

The very first simple technique you should learn as a beginner crocheter is crochet lace! Yep, I said it. Crochet lace is not all that hard to make. It looks advanced, but most of the time its very easy. As long as you know simple stitches like double crochet and chains (and how to read a pattern), you will be fine! Here are 4 types of crochet lace for beginners you should check out.

2. Foundation Single Crochet

Let me ask you a question: have you ever struggled to get your hook in the starting chains of your project? They’re a little too tight, making you just dread the whole first row?

Well, here’s a game changing technique that will solve that problem: foundation single crochet. Foundation single crochet (fsc) can be a little tricky when you first try it, but overall will improve your crochet game greatly if you get it down earlier rather than later.

3. Bead Crochet

This one is a bit more fun…crocheting with beads! Getting started with bead crochet is extremely easy. You can make loads of necklaces and bracelets like the one pictured below, all with a few beads and a simple chain stitch. I promise its not too good to be true – the chain stitch is the only stitch needed!

4. “Elevated” Granny Stitch

You may have already made granny squares as a beginning crocheter, but have you ever heard of the Drunken Granny Stitch?

Funny name, I know – but this stitch is really fun! I call it an “elevated” granny stitch because it has the classic look but it is a little more unique. (They say elevated in food shows, so why not with crocheting too? Haha).

I would consider it even easier than a granny square as it is made back and forth in rows rather than in the round. If you’re looking for a unique new stitch to try that’s super easy, give it a shot!

5. Borders with the Picot Stitch

One great way to add more pizazz to your projects as a beginner is by learning how to do a simple border! Crochet borders are fun and usually not too hard.

One particularly easy border to add to almost any project is a picot border! This article will teach you all the different kinds of picot stitches and how to make them into a custom border.

6. Crocheting a Simple Sweater

Now, if you’re a true beginner this one might sound scary, so hear me out: crochet sweaters are not that hard to make, especially if you choose the right pattern! In fact, if you know how to crochet a rectangle, you can crochet a sweater.

Below you can see the Angelica Cardigan. This free pattern has been made by hundreds of crocheters, many of which have said they were a beginner when they made it! The instructions are easy to follow, and all you have to do is make some rectangles, sew them together, and add sleeves. You can do it!

Conclusion

So there you have it – 6 super easy things you can learn as a beginning crocheter! While some of these are easier than others, they are all techniques that you shouldnt’ be afraid to tackle even if you feel like you haven’t been crocheting “long enough.” You can totally do it!

SHARING IS CARING!

If you did enjoy this post, I would love if you shared it in the following places so many MORE people can see it!

• Pin to Pinterest
• Tag me in your Instagram posts
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Happy Crocheting!

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A crochet and a knit sweater are different because the tools and techniques used for crochet and knitting create distinctive textures, patterns, and fabric weights. Crochet sweaters are usually more textured, thicker and heavier, while knit sweaters tend to be lighter and easier to drape. However, there are exceptions to this stereotype, so make sure to keep reading.

Crochet and knitting are trendy, with everyone from celebrities to the boy next door producing hats, scarves, and cup-warmers. If you’re keen to start working with yarn, it’s critical to distinguish one craft from the other and how to analyze a knit and a crochet item. Let’s look at the differences between a crochet and a knit sweater.

What Is The Difference Between A Crochet And A Knit Sweater?

To understand the difference between a crochet and a knit sweater, it’s essential to first learn the differences between crochet and knitting. This table summarizes the differences:

Crochet and knitting both involve repetitive stitching, winding and knotting actions to create fabric out of a ball of yarn. Crafters enjoy the gentle repetition, finding it creative, meditative, and relaxing.

Many people find crochet more straightforward for beginners because you use a single hook and work with a single stitch at a time.

Crochet begins by creating a chain of stitches. You then use the hook to pull one or more loops of yarn through each stitch, creating an astonishing number of different patterns. The advantage over knitting is that you close off a stitch at a time before moving on to the next loop; you have a smooth edge to the fabric resembling a series of knots.

The secrets to successful crochet are first to keep the tension of your work consistent, that is, making sure each stitch is the same size and tightness. Second, crochet is based on the number of stitches to create patterns, so you need to ensure that you don’t make or lose stitches as you work.

On the other hand, knitting begins by casting on stitches, creating a row of open loops on one needle. You pull yarn through each stitch with the other needle to make another loop. You transfer the new stitches onto the second needle as you work, so you always have a row of open, active, or live stitches.

You create a knitted fabric by transferring stitches from one needle to the other, creating new loops by pulling the yarn through. Where the needle enters the stitch and makes a loop will make different shaped stitches (known as knit/plain and purl) and thus the fabric’s pattern. These two stitches can form an array of colorful and textural designs.

You cast off or close off the stitches when you are finished with a section or color.
Not all knitted items are handmade – knitting machines are available for home and commercial use. Most knits in stores are made by machines, which accounts for their smooth, even surface.

But What About Sweaters?

When it comes to crocheting a sweater versus knitting a sweater, there are a variety of topics to discuss.

• Which yarn should be used? It actually does make a difference depending on the craft.
• Which tools and techniques are easier? It may depend on your learning style and opinion.
• Which is cheaper? This question is very subjective based on materials, but there is one overall winner.
• Which uses less yarn? This goes hand in hand with the above question.
• Which is easier to learn? It may depend on your learning style and opinion.
• Which will make a sweater more quickly? There is one clear winner on this.
• And finally, how do you tell the difference between the two?

Let’s dive a bit deeper into these questions.

Which Yarn Needs to be Used?

Because crochet and knitting use the same materials, people get confused between the two crafts. Both crochet and knitting use yarn, which can be made from a variety of fibers.

Yarn can be synthetically produced or spun from animal or plant fibers and comes in balls or skeins labeled according to the dye batch and the weight or thickness of the yarn.

The decision around which yarn to use doesn’t depend on the craft but the crafter. A knitter or crochet enthusiast may buy yarn to suit a specific pattern, but equally because of the gorgeous hand-dyed colors or the fluffy texture of mohair.

But when it comes to making sweaters specifically, there is something to keep in mind:

To get a nice looking, well fitting sweater, crocheters will often have to use a lighter weight yarn, while knitters can use any weight, from lighter to heavier.

This is due to the nature of knitting and crochet. Crochet creates denser stitches, so to make a nice sweater, you will usually need a lighter weight yarn.

People often say that knit sweaters are better because they are more lightweight. This may be a stereotype, but it is not necessarily true.

It is entirely possible to make beautiful, lightweight crochet sweaters that aren’t too stiff and bulky. You just have to make sure you choose the right yarn. Here is more information on the best yarn for crochet sweaters.

Which Tools Are Easier to Use?

Crochet and knitting each use a separate set of tools to achieve the finished fabric.

Crochet Hooks

You crochet using a single hook held in your dominant hand. Crochet hooks come in various materials, including aluminum, steel, wood, bamboo, plastic, acrylic, and glass.
Crochet hooks are also available in varying sizes.

The hook size used will be determined by the stitch size and the weight of the yarn. In other words, you will use a smaller or larger hook to create a suitable gauge or consistency of the fabric.

However, when it comes to sweaters specifically, the unique hooks used in crochet does have an advantage.

Crochet hooks are not limited to any particular size or shape. You can work in any direction, at any time. You can easily combine different sweater pieces together with a crocheted seam, and then continue working.

It is also much easier to create lace with a crochet hook. Crochet lace sweaters can be easy enough for beginners to make—which isn’t true for knitting.

Knitting Needles

Because knitting is different from crochet, you use a pair of long, straight needles at a time, holding one in each hand and moving a set of stitches and loops from one needle to the other.

Like crochet hooks, you can find knitting needles in various materials, but aluminum, brass, and nickel are the most common. Because you are carrying a series of stitches on one needle, the surface of the needle needs to be smooth, and the needles need to be strong enough to carry the weight of the fabric.

When it comes to knitting sweaters, though, you often need to use special needles to knit in the round. These are called circular needles, and they feature a cord connecting two needles together.

The cord allows the project to be bigger because it holds many more loops at a time than regular straight needles. However, to me this is a downside. You are very much confined to the needles you choose for the project.

Because sweaters are longer projects, this tool is also more difficult because you have to be 100% sure you don’t lose any of those loops when you set your project down for later.

Which is Cheaper to Make?

Another important question to address is which is cheaper to make: a crochet sweater or knit sweater?

The truth is, this is very subjective. It depends on which yarn you use. A crochet sweater may be much cheaper if you use a “value’ yarn, and a knitter uses a “luxury” yarn.

But the key to really knowing which is cheaper is by answering another question: which uses less yarn overall?

This is where knitting wins out. Because knit stitches are less dense, they use less yarn.

So if you were to make a crochet and knit sweater out of the same exact yarn, the knitted version would be cheaper to make because you wouldn’t need as much yarn to finish the project.

Which is faster to make?

Although knitting wins when it comes to price, crochet wins it comes to speed.

Crochet stitches have much more HEIGHT than knitted ones. Overall, crochet is much faster than knitting. (See exactly how long it takes to crochet a sweater based on real data!)

So it just makes sense that, when making a long project like a sweater, crochet would have the edge.

And you know what they say – “time is money.” So if you value your time, maybe crochet sweaters really are cheaper!

How to Tell the Difference in the Fabric

A knit and a crochet item will look and feel different, even if both are sweaters. If you’re not familiar with either craft, this section will help you figure out the difference!

Crochet Sweater Characteristics

You can usually tell that an item is crocheted by the direction of the stitches: crochet stitches go back and forth, with horizontal lines noticeable.

Crocheted fabric is usually thicker and denser because each stitch is closed before pulling up the next one—but if you use lighter weight yarn for a crochet sweater, this may not be the case.

Crochet is also very structural. If you see an item with many decorative holes and shapes, like the classic Granny Square, it is probably crochet. It is much easier to create a wide variety of lace with crochet.

Knit Sweater Characteristics

Although you knit back and forth, most knitted items have a vertical V-shape pattern, depending on the stitch. This is the best way to determine if an item is knitted.

Knitted fabric is also generally more loosely textured than crochet. Traditionally, knitted fabric has a smoother, cleaner, surface.

Let’s take a look at the comparison I showed you at the beginning again. Can you see the smoothness of the knitting and the more horizontal “lines” of the crochet?

Both are uniquely beautiful in their own way. Only you can decide which you like better, and which is more worth it to learn!

Sweaters to Crochet

If you want to start on some beautiful crochet tops and sweaters that defy the stereotype of “stiff” and bulky, check out these patterns:

• Lunar Lace Tunic
• Midnight Top
• Angelica Cardigan
• Summer Breeze Vest
• Shelby Top
• Juniper Cardigan
• Becky Cardigan

Sweaters to Knit

If you prefer to get into knitting sweaters, here are some patterns you might like:

• Slouchy Knit Sweater
• Sophia Sweater
• Lodge Sweater
• Chunky Cardigan
• Chunky Cable Knit Sweater

Conclusion

Crochet and knit sweaters are both amazing projects to make. I am of course partial to crocheting, because it is faster and easier. However, knitting has its perks too—it uses less yarn, and it creates a very classic look. Whatever you decide to make, I hope your future sweaters turn out amazing!

SHARING IS CARING!

If you enjoyed this post, I would love if you shared it in the following places so many MORE people can see it!

• Pin to Pinterest – just hover over any of the photos in this post and click “save”
• Tag me in your Instagram posts
• Share photos in my Facebook Group

Happy Crocheting!

The post Crochet Vs. Knit Sweaters – 5 Key Differences appeared first on .

On average, scarves measure 5-8 inches wide, with a length of 40-70″. This is very much an average, so don’t take it as gospel truth. We’ll get into more details of the different sizes so that you can determine what is best for YOUR project.

How long Should a Scarf Be?

For adults, a scarf typically ranges between 40 and 70 inches. However, some may go longer than this. For example, a super-long scarf may be between 90 and 120 inches.

Take a look at this 94″ crochet scarf (inspired by Dr. Who!) to see what I mean!

Now, these are the typical lengths…but how can you figure out the best length for YOU?

One of my favorite ways to customize carf length is by using arm-span or height.

You can simply measure the arm-spam or the height of the person you’re making the scarf for, and use that exact measurement!

Here’s a chart that will show you what I’m talking about (and also give you some averages for different ages!)

How Wide Should a Scarf Be?

The width of a scarf greatly depends upon the style, and the person you’re making it for.

Men’s scarves (like this Alpine Scarf) are typically the most straightforward, ranging from 5 to 7″ in width (with 6″ being the most common).

Then there’s women’s scarves, which usually very a lot more. A women’s scarf can range from 4″ all the way up to 10″ or more. A scarf that is 4″ wide would be considered a “skinny scarf.”

5-7″ would be the range you want for a typical, warm, medium-thick scarf (like this Rustic Lace Scarf for example!)

Larger than that, and the scarf will usually be a different style, like an infinity scarf or a wrap. One of my patterns, the Snowbank Infinity, is 10.5″ wide!

So as you can see, the width of a scarf is very subjective to your own taste and style.

How to Determine Scarf Width

If you’re making a custom scarf for yourself or a friend, there are a few ways you can determine the perfect width.

The first way is to measure the palm of your hand from the top of your middle finger to your wrist.

The second way is to spread out your fingers and measure the span from your thumb to your pinky.

Each of these are a helpful indication of how wide your scarf should be!

Other Factors to Determine Legnth & Width

The great thing about scarves is that they are SO easy to vary. There is not one “right” answer when it comes to determining length and width.

Now, that being said, here are a few more tips as you decide the measurements of your scarf.

Think about Proportion

You definitely want the length and width of your scarf to work together to form a beautiful, stylish scarf you want to wear.

Generally speaking, if your scarf is longer you will ALSO want it to be wider (and vice versa). Most skinny scarves aren’t extremely long. And wide scarves look terrible if they’re super short.

I like to determine my width first, and then test out different lengths as I make the scarf to see which length is the very best for styling it.

Consider the Stitch Pattern

Another thing to think about is what width and length would work best for your chosen stitch pattern.

Your stitch pattern will determine a lot about the overall look and feel of your scarf.

For example, if you have a very thick stitch (like the Alpine Stitch) or a stiffer stitch, this will definitely affect how the scarf drapes around your neck. You may want a thicker-stitched scarf to be smaller in width.

On the other hand, if you have a lacy scarf, you may want to go wider than normal. Lacy scarves can easily fold back on themselves. If they are too thin in width, they may not look as good.

Experiment with Yarn

This goes hand in hand with the stitch pattern…the YARN you use!

To make the perfect scarf, you really want your yarn and stitch pattern to mesh together well.

Let’s go back to the Alpine Stitch example again. Say I made the Alpine Stitch in a heavy, stiff worsted weight yarn like Red Heart Super Saver. That would create a thick, stiff scarf that just wouldn’t work as well as if I used a softer, more drapey yarn.

I could probably make a wider scarf using a softer yarn, than if I used Super Saver.

Again, the point is to make sure that your stitch, yarn, and hook all work together to form a good fabric that works well for a scarf.

But remember, this depends on your preference! The best advice I can give is to experiment with different stitches and yarns, and see what look and feel you like best.

Children’s Scarf Measurements

When it comes to children’s scarves, the same guidlines apply. You can use their height to determine the length and hand-span to determine the width.

But keep in mind, with children’s scarves, you may want to go a bit BIGGER than those measurements to leave room for growth! This way they’ll be able to enjoy the scarf for a longer period of time.

But typically, children’s crochet scarves are 3-5 inches in width, and 36-40 inches long.

More Tips for Successful Custom Scarves

The tips above were mostly directed at scarf sizing, but let’s go even a little deeper into making your own custom scarves from scratch!

What Yarn & Stitch to Use

We already talked about how yarn and stitches affect the size of a scarf. But if you want more specific yarns and stitches that work well, I have some resources for you!

You can check out my recommended scarf yarns or my recommended scarf stitches.

Figuring Out Your Foundation Chain Number

Once you figure out which yarn and stitch you’re using, the next step is to figure out your foundation chain number. This requires following what is called a stitch multiple.

A stitch multiple refers to the number of stitches you need to complete a pattern repeat. For more information on this, see this blog post.

How Much Yarn You’ll Need

Lastly, let’s talk about how much yarn it takes to make a scarf! The truth is, this can vary GREATLY depending on the yarn and stitch you use. Some stitches take more yarn than others.

I find that scarves generally take around 2 skeins of yarn to complete. But again, this is subjective to me.

Lion Brand’s website has a helpful chart that I will refer you to for more info. It lists out the yardage needed for scarves (and other projects) in each weight of yarn. A very cool resource to have in your back pocket!

Conclusion

Crocheted and knitted scarves are a wonderful project. They are one of my absolute favorites because of their versatility! A beautiful scarf can be made with hardly any crafting experience at all. Make sure you complete the measurements above, like arm-span and hand-span, to get the best fitting scarf possible! Now that you know how long and wide a scarf to be, you are well on your way to a wonderful project.

SHARING IS CARING!

If you did enjoy this post, I would love if you shared it in the following places so many MORE people can see it!

• Pin to Pinterest – just hover over any of the photos in this post and click “save”
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Happy Crocheting!

The post How Long & Wide Should a Scarf Be? appeared first on .

The truth is, the length of time it takes to crochet a sweater depends on a LOT of variables.

Let’s explore what those variables are…and then we’ll look at a survey showing how long it takes real crocheters like you to complete a sweater!

#1: Difficulty of Pattern

The first variable is the difficulty of the pattern you choose. Difficult crochet sweater patterns may take longer to make than a sweater made from simple double crochet, for example.

If you’re a beginner, make sure to start by making a sweater that is geared toward beginners (like this Angelica Cardigan, which has been made successfully by many beginners!)

#2: Experience Level of the Crocheter

Another factor that goes into it is the experience of the person making the sweater. If you are an advanced crocheter, it may be extremely easy to follow a pattern. It becomes like second nature the more you do it, so it goes much quicker.

Whereas, a beginner might spend a half hour just trying to figure out what size to choose because they’re unfamiliar with ease. And then another 2 hours trying to get the right size gauge swatch because they are not used to meeting gauge.

how fast you can crochet

This is related but slightly different—it also depends on if you are a fast or slow crocheter. Obviously, the faster you can crochet, the faster you will finish a large project like a sweater.

This doesn’t necessarily correspond to one’s experience level though. Someone can be very advanced at crochet and still prefer to crochet at a slower pace.

Time Per day spent crocheting

Once again this is obvious, but the more time you can spend per day crocheting, the faster you will finish your sweater.

If, for example, you are a busy mom and can only spare 2 hours a week for crocheting, it will take much longer than if you can spend 1 hour per DAY on the project.

With that said, a little planning can go a long way when trying to finish a large project like a sweater! If you plan out times to sit down and crochet, it may go faster than working sporatically.

Related: 5 Key Differences Between Crochet Vs. Knit Sweaters

Size you’re making

The time committment for a sweater also largely depends on the size you choose to make. If you need to make the size 2XL, you will have more overall stitches to make than an XS, for example.

So as you can see, the amount of time it takes to crochet a sweater is dependant on MANY different factors! It is impossible to give you 1 specific time frame for finishing a sweater.

But with that said, I did want to help out by providing some ranges you can have in mind…

How Long it Takes the average person to crochet a sweater

I decided the best way to figure out the average length for crocheting a sweater was to survey lots of crocheters like you!

I did a bunch of surveys on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube, surveying over 100 crocheters so we could get some average results!

Let me show you the charts, and then we’ll break down the information.

In Weeks

I started by asking how long it takes to crochet a sweater in weeks. I got an overwhelming response that it takes a month or more to finish a whole sweater.

Now remember, this depends on all the variables above so it will be different for every person. But for 60% of the crocheters in this survey, it took a month or more. 26% said they could easily finish in 2-3 weeks, while only 11% said they could finish in under 2 weeks.

In Hours

I also asked the same people how long it takes them to crochet a sweater in hours. The results suprised me a bit. The number that comes to mind personally is around 20 hours for finishing a sweater.

But, 44% of people surveyed answered it would take them 30 hours or more.

As you can see, 30% of crocheters said it would take them 20-25 hours, 19% said 15-20 hours, and only 5% said it would take them UNDER 15 hours.

In addition to these responses, I also got some comments clarifying exactly how they determined their vote.

For example, 1 person said they can finish a sweater in a week if they work on it 5-6 hours a day.

Another lady said she works full time, but she crochets during her lunch and evenings and is able to finish in 1-2 weeks.

Still others said they could finish a sweater in a few days! This timeline is quite impressive, but it is obviously not the case for most people.

Conclusion

There is a LOT that goes into crocheting sweaters. You need lots of yarn, time, and motivation to finish a large project like a sweater! You are looking at a time committment of 20-30 hours over a few weeks to a month. But don’t let this discourage you. While sweaters take a long time to finish, they are such a worthwhile project! You won’t be disappointed!

So if you’re ready to start your first sweater, here are some patterns to try:

• Angelica Cardigan (super popular!)
• Midsummer Cardigan
• Shelby Top
• Becky Cardigan
• Lunar Lace Tunic

You also might want to check out the best yarns for crocheting sweaters here.

SHARING IS CARING!

If you did enjoy this post, I would love if you shared it in the following places so many MORE people can see it!

• Pin to Pinterest – just hover over any of the photos in this post and click “save”
• Tag me in your Instagram posts
• Share photos in my Facebook Group

Happy Crocheting!

The post How Long Does it Take to Crochet a Sweater? (Real Data!) appeared first on .

What does frogging mean in crochet?

As you might’ve guessed, the term frogging does not refer to a cute little crocheted frog like the one pictured above.

Instead, frogging refers to the process of undoing a crochet project—taking the working end of the yarn and pulling it out, stitch by stitch.

So yes, frogging is actually kind of a sad term, because it means for some reason your project isn’t working very well and it needs to be taken out and redone!

Why is undoing called frogging?

From what I can tell, frogging gets its name because you are ripping out your project. And saying “rip it, rip it” sounds like the croak of a frog! LOL.

This seems by the WHY behind the term frogging. It makes much more sense once you understand that, right? I knew the term for a long time but just recently discovered the why. It makes me very happy to know

How to Frog in Crochet

So now, let’s talk about HOW to frog your crochet projects.

It’s really not too difficult, although like I mentioned, it can be very sad. In the tutorial below you’ll see I have a project that just never worked out, so I needed to frog the whole thing.

Step 1

Take your crochet hook out of your project so you have the main yarn loop free.

Step 2

Begin to pull the working end of the yarn. The stitches will begin to come out, one by one.

Step 3

Be careful! If you frog for too long without rolling up the yarn being taken out, it will easily get tangled. I recommend frogging a few rows, and then rolling the loose yarn into a ball. Then, repeating this process – frog, then roll.

How do you wind frogged yarn?

There are a few different ways you can wind yarn as you frog it. The first is by rolling it into a simple ball, as I mentioned.

To do this, simply start wrapping the yarn around 2-3 of your fingerings (on your non-dominant hand). Once you’ve wrapped it around 15-20 times, take the yarn off your fingerings and continue to wrap until it forms a ball. From here, it will continue to grow into a larger ball until you’re done!

The second method, which is much quicker, would be to use a yarn winder. This is actually a genious way of frogging! First, cut your yarn and attach the end to the winder.

Next, begin winding. The process of turning the handle will frog your project, and the excess yarn will automically be wound into a cake. See below, or watch a video this method here.

More Winding Tips

• Make sure you don’t frog too fast. If you’re pulling the stitches out super fast the yarn can tend to get caught. It will actually sometimes knot around itself and you won’t be able to pull stitches out anymore. If this happens, you’ll need to carefully work out the knot. But try to avoid this by going slower!
• Some yarns are more difficult to frog than others. If the yarn you’re using is super fuzzy, for example, you will want to frog extra slowly.

Reasons to Frog a Project

There are a few reasons you might decide to frog your project. Even if you don’t want to, sometimes it is something necessary to do.

1. Frogging To Fix a mistake

The most common reason for frogging a crochet project is because you need to fix a mistake that you noticed later. This can be so frustrating, I know!

No one likes to find mistakes in their projects. But if that unfortunate moment comes, you have two options:

First, you can frog back to the mistake and fix it, then proceed with the pattern again. This takes time and can be annoying, I know, but the finished result is often worth it.

Second, you can ignore the mistake and continue on. If the mistake doesn’t impact the project much or it is very unnoticeable, it is not too bad to do this.

Which option you choose may also depend on your personality type. If you are a perfectionist, you may find that you need to frog a lot of your projects.

But if you’re like me and you think mistakes are just apart of the charm of handmade items (so long as it is not a glaring mistake of course) you probably won’t have to frog as much!

What types of mistakes are we talking about? Things like:

• Having too few or too many stitches
• Using the wrong stitch altogether
• Having a snag or knot in the yarn
• The project is not the right size

When it comes to the first two mistakes, this is where I sometimes choose not to frog, mostly when the mistakes is WAY far back in the work. If the mistake is not noticeable, I would rather save myself the time and effort of frogging and re-doing.

However, the last two mistakes are much MORE of a cause for frogging. A snag in the yarn can be more noticeable, even to people who do not crochet. And knots can come out over time, which would leave holes in your project. This makes frogging a bit more important.

Likewise, a project that is the wrong size will be harder to use – especially if it is a wearable item. In this case, it is also a good idea to suck it up and frog.

How to AVOID frogging

Since this type of frogging is never fun, let me give you a few tips for making sure you DON’T have to frog due to a mistake in your work:

• Always count your stitches at the end of a row/round. This will ensure you don’t accidentally skip a stitch or add a stitch and throw the project off.
• If your project is large, you may want to lay it out every once and awhile and just inspect it. Make sure the edges are looking good, there are no splits in the yarn, your gauge is staying consistent, etc.
• Speaking of gauge, make sure you check your gauge BEFORE starting a project! If you don’t, you may end up having to frog because your garment turned out the wrong size and doesn’t fit. Trust me – this is one of the worst ways to have to frog a project and you’ll want to avoid it by checking your gauge!

2. Frogging To recover yarn

There is another reason you might need to frog – to recover yarn from a project!

This is much less common, but it is still a very valid reason to frog. If you’re wondering why you would need to recover yarn, there are a few reasons:

First, if you started a project and know you’ll never finish it (I think all crocheters do this at one time or another, LOL) you may want to undo the project so you can use the yarn for something else.

Secondly, you might need the yarn to FINISH a different project you already started.

Either way, if you want to recover that yarn, it is possible!

Getting the Curls Out of recovered yarn

If you start frogging a project to reclaim old yarn, one thing you might notice is the yarn ends up quite curly.

If you’ve ever tried crocheting with this curly yarn, you’ll know it can be very annoying. It just doesn’t feel right. The good new is, you can get your yarn back to normal!

You’ll need to do a few extra steps to prepare the yarn, like winding it in to a special form and then soaking it. For all the details on how to do this, check out this article on Interweave. The article was originally written for knitting, but the concept is the same for crochet!

Frogging Crochet from the Bottom

One of the worst parts about frogging is when it is SO CLOSE to the BOTTOM of a project. For example, when you’re making a scarf and you’re almost done, but then you realize you made a mistake 10 rows from the bottom. Ugh!

The good news is, there is a way to frog your crochet from the bottom up! It is a bit more of a delicate process, but it works very well.

The steps to take include:

• Inserting a lifeline into the row you want to save
• Cutting everything below the lifeline OFF (yes, you heard me right!)
• Making a new foundation chain and attaching it to the row on the lifeline

I know that might sound a bit confusing, so I wanted to make sure and show you a video on it. This is one of those topics that is better to watch rather than read about!

Frogging FAQ

Should I frog my project if it is already completely finished?

That depends on why you need to frog! If the mistake is not very noticeable and you’ve already finished, I do not recommend frogging. You can give yourself grace sometimes. Nobody is perfect! If the mistake is very large, on the other hand, you may want to redo it. It just depends on how much you care about how the project looks.

Should I frog my project if I find a mistake & I’m planning on selling it or giving it away?

Now, if the project is NOT for you, this changes the game a bit. You definitely want to make sure your item is high quality if you’re giving it away or selling it to someone else.

Is frogging different in knitting versus crochet?

Yes! It is actually much easier to frog a crochet project versus a knitting project. In knitting, you have a whole bunch of loops on your needles and you have to control all of them while frogging. Whereas in crochet, you just have one loop to think about.

Can you reuse frogged yarn?

Yes! As I mentioned earlier, you will probably just want to get all the curls out of the yarn first.

Conclusion

Frogging is the term for undoing a crochet project. While it might not be the most enjoyable thing to talk about, it is definitely necessary for fixing mistakes or restoring old yarn. Make sure you are careful to wind your yarn as you frog so you don’t end up with a tangled mess. I hope you liked this post and learned a lot about a new, interesting topic!

More Crochet Articles:

• Is ‘Crocheter’ a Word?
• How to Block Crochet Projects
• Is the Alpine Stitch a Yarn Eater?

SHARING IS CARING!

If you did enjoy this post, I would love if you shared it in the following places so many MORE people can see it!

• Pin to Pinterest – just hover over any of the photos in this post and click “save”
• Tag me in your Instagram posts
• Share photos in my Facebook Group

Happy Crocheting!

The post Frogging in Crochet: What It Is and When to Do It appeared first on .

What is a Gauge Swatch in Crochet?

A gauge swatch is a small square of crocheted fabric that you make in order to test out a pattern before making it. Most often, people think of a swatch as a necessary evil that is only used in order to meet gauge in a pattern. (Wondering what gauge is? Check out this blog post!)

However, did you know there are actually more purposes for a gauge swatch? You can use it to test out a yarn to see if you like it combined with the stitch pattern. You can also use it to test out the drape and weight of your yarn/hook combo.

Why Swatching is So Important

Of course, the main reason making a crochet swatch is SO important is because of gauge. When you make a swatch, you’re able to measure it and make sure that your gauge matches the gauge of a pattern.

I know swatching can seem tiresome. Most crocheters want to skip right to the project because it takes extra time to make a swatch. But the reality is, crocheting a swatch is actually a good thing. Here’s why:

• It can save you from having to REDO a crochet sweater that doesn’t fit
• It can save you from ruining a project by using a yarn that doesn’t look right

So overall, making a swatch actually SAVES you time and yarn, since those two previous points won’t happen to you!

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How Big Should a gauge swatch be?

Contrary to common thought, a gauge swatch should generally be larger than 4″ square. A lot of people think that 4″ is the correct size, since patterns write gauge to be stitches and rows in 4″. However, the trouble with a 4″ swatch is you likely won’t get an accurate stitch count if you measure the edges.

The whole point of a swatch is to measure in the center of it, with the fabric that looks and feels just like the finished item. Therefore, the ideal gauge swatch should measure 5″ or 6″.

Do you block a gauge swatch?

Oh, this is a great question! The answer is, it depends on the pattern. Here is the main rule to keep in mind: you should only block a gauge swatch if the finished item will also be blocked.

Remember, the whole point of a swatch in the first place is to make a sample of the finished project. If you don’t block your swatch, but the pattern calls for blocking, you’re going to be in trouble when you block the finished item. Why? Because blocking stretches your crocheting. Therefore, your project will probably turn out too large.

Pay attention to the notes on blocking in whatever pattern you’re making! If a pattern doesn’t specify whether or not to block your swatch, make sure to check the finishing section to see if the designer recommends blocking the entire project.

All this to say – if you’re planning to block the finished item, block your swatch – and vice versa.

How to make a Crochet Gauge Swatch

Okay, so now that we’ve answered a lot of common questions about gauge swatches, let’s go over some simple steps to actually MAKING one!

Single Crochet Swatch Tutorial

In this gauge swatch tutorial, I will show you how to make a single crochet swatch and measure it! It’s super easy, I promise! Just a few notes as we get started:

• This tutorial is meant to be for a beginner who has never made a swatch before. Even if you don’t have a specific pattern with a gauge, you can still make this easy square for practice!
• If you’re wondering how to make a swatch from a more complicated pattern, still keep reading, because I address that question further down!

Step 1: Make a Foundation Row.

Let’s get started! The first step you’ll always have to do when making a swatch is your foundation row. This can be a row of chains, or a row of foundation single crochet. Personally, I prefer fsc because it is much stretchier. If you’re unsure what fsc is, check out this tutorial.

Now, before we make our foundation row, let’s do something a little different. Just for fun, let’s create an imaginary gauge. Let’s say this swatch is for a pattern with a gauge that looks like this: “14 sc and 16 rows = 4 inches”.

With that information, I can glean a few things:

1. My swatch is going to be made entirely from single crochet
2. I’m going to need to make a starting row that will give me MORE than 14 sc (because our swatch should always be larger than 4 inches!)

Below you can see the foundation single crochet row that I made. I decided to start with 18 single crochet.

Step 2: Single crochet across the foundation row.

Once you make a decision on your starting row, the rest is pretty easy! To start Row 1 of your swatch, just turn and begin to make single crochets in each stitch.

This is what Row 2 looks like finished:

Step 3: Continue working single crochet rows until you have a square.

Once you finish the first row, chain 1 and turn. Just continue doing single crochet all across for each row. Keep going until you have a square!

How to Measure Your Crochet Swatch

Once your swatch is a square, it is time to grab your measuring tape or ruler. I will note that a ruler can be a bit easier since it is a stiffer material. I specifically had trouble taking the photo below because I was trying to hold the measuring tape with just one hand while taking a photo

Anyhow, lay your chosen measurement tool across the swatch. Remember your goal is to measure WITHIN the swatch, not on the edges. My swatch is right on target, because I can measure 4″ worth of stitches without including the edge.

So go ahead – count how many stitches are inside the 4″. Did I make my target number of 14 sc in 4″?

Next, you need to measure your rows! Lay out your measuring tape vertically this time, so you can measure the length of all the rows you made.

My goal was to get 16 rows in 4″ – but I wasn’t quite on target for this measurement. I had about 17.5 rows, which is too long!

Row gauge can be a tricky thing. If it ends up that your row gauge is off like mine was in this swatch, there are a few helpful things you can do to fix it. Find out what those things are in this article.

Measuring a double crochet gauge swatch

So you’ve made a single crochet swatch and measured it – great! Thankfully, double crochet swatches work the exact same way. Just for the fun of it though, I thought I would show you an example of me measuring a double crochet swatch.

Here is the stitch gauge – I have 14 dc in 4″.

And here is the row gauge – I have 7 rows in 4″! The main difference between single and double crochet swatches will be the row gauge. Double crochet stitches are obviously MUCH taller, so you usually have to do less rows than you do with single crochet!

What if I need to make a swatch from a tricky crochet stitch and there aren’t instructions?

This question is huge. I remember when I first started crocheting garments, this was one of my biggest struggles. The sad truth is that some patterns just don’t give you specific instructions for your swatch, even if it is made from a tricky stitch pattern!

The remedy for this will vary depending on a few things about your pattern. Let’s take a look at a few scenarios so you see what I mean.

Scenario #1: Pattern provides a “swatch instructions” section.

Of course, this is the most IDEAL scenario because it means that the designer spells out for you exactly how to make the swatch. I make sure to do this in all of my crochet patterns that don’t use a simple stitch like double crochet or single crochet.

(Because, just a side note – this really is only an issue if you need to make a more complex swatch. For simple stitches, it’s as easy as doing what I showed you in the tutorial above!)

Scenario #1: Pattern provides a “stitch pattern” section.

This scenario isn’t as easy, but it is still a valid way to write a pattern. You can still potentially make a great swatch from it. Let me show you what I mean.

In this scenario, this is what the gauge section generally looks like:

Gauge: 14 stitches and 8 rows in stitch pattern = 4″

I bolded the words “in stitch pattern” because this is important. They are telling you that you need to crochet your swatch in the same stitch pattern of the finished item.

How do you know what that stitch is? Well, your next step is to look for another section in the pattern where the stitch pattern is specified.

To illustrate this, let me show you an example.

Example:

Okay, so here I want to show you a few screenshots from The Becky Cardigan Pattern so you see what I mean.

Below is a screenshot of the gauge section. As you can see, I specify that the stitches and rows of gauge should be worked in the stitch pattern of the cardigan – the modified lemon peel stitch.

However, I don’t leave the maker there, expecting them to know WHAT that stitch is.

Instead, I created another heading in the pattern that shows you how to make the modified lemon peel stitch:

Here’s what I’m trying to get at:

If the gauge in a pattern isn’t super specific about the stitch, don’t freak out. First check to see if they have a “special stitches” section that clarifies.

Scenario #3: Pattern doesn’t provide any clarification.

This, of course, is the worst scenario. Honestly, when I see a pattern like this, I cringe.

Here, the gauge looks the same as the previous scenario…except there is no clarification given on the stitch pattern in another section. You are instead expected to extrapolate the stitch from the actual pattern instructions.

If you’re looking at a pattern like this, don’t give up right away. Here’s what I recommend doing:

• Scour the pattern for any type of section that looks like it would be easy to make a swatch from. For example, if there is any section of the pattern that is rectangular, that would be an easy part to pair down into a 4″ swatch.
• Another thing you can do is look for a stitch multiple so you know how many chains/fsc to do for the foundation row. If the pattern doesn’t provide one, you’ll have to look at the photos and try to figure it out.

Again, I know this situation is less than ideal. But if you find yourself in it, hopefully these tips help!

Make a Gauge Swatch in the Round

If you thought you were getting close being done with learning about swatching…think again! Another important issue to address is the idea of making swatches in the round.

I think this is a very misunderstood part of swatching.

Did you know that, if a pattern is made in continuous rounds (like a top-down garment where you never turn for example) you’re supposed to also make your swatch in the round?

I didn’t know this for a long time. I had only seen square swatches, not round ones.

If you think about it, it totally makes sense. A swatch made from rows shows both the wrong side and right side of the stitch. But a pattern worked in continuous rounds never turns at all.

Since our goal is to create a sample of the finished item, there will be times we need to make crochet gauge swatches in the round.

Round Crochet Swatch Tutorial

Let’s go through this step by step so you know exactly how to make a crochet swatch in the round. It isn’t as difficult as it seems, trust me!

Step 1: Make another foundation row, but this time join it to form a ring.

Here you can see my foundation single crochet row just like before. However, this time I am doing a slip stitch in the first fsc to form it into my round swatch!

One key here is to make sure your swatch is still big enough. With a round crochet swatch, you still need to be able to measure 4″ across. So unfortunately, round swatches do take up more yarn since you’re making a large tube. Here you can see me measuring to confirm my tube is large enough (shoot for 5-6″ across!)

Step 2: Work in even single crochet rounds.

To make a round single crochet swatch, you would then proceed to make even rounds of single crochet. Just sc in each stitch around and then join to the first one! In the photo below I’ve done 5 rounds. You’ll want to keep going until your swatch is 5-6″ high.

What is Round Gauge?

Now, once you’ve finished your round crochet swatch, you need to measure it very similarly to the way you measure a square swatch.

One term specifically important to talk about is “Round gauge.” If you’re wondering what round gauge is, it is basically the same as row gauge. It refers to the height of your rounds (just like row gauge refers to the height of your rows!)

To measure round gauge, simply lay your measuring tape up your swatch and count how many rounds are in 4″.

Hopefully this helps clarify the topic of gauge in the round, since I know this can be confusing! You can do the same thing with any stitch that a pattern uses. Just make it into a tube and then measure it just as you would any other swatch.

How do you use a gauge swatch?

I can think of just one more topic when it comes to gauge swatches…how do you use them once you’re done? Oftentimes, swatches can feel like a waste of yarn. Instead of throwing them out or never using them again, here are some creative use ideas for leftover gauge swatches you may have lying around:

1. Make a blanket of 4″ squares! If you have a lot of gauge swatches, this is often the perfect use for them. The only thing that would make this difficult is if your swatches are in different weights of yarn. But if they are close in weight (like DK and worsted, for example) you should be fine!)
2. Use them as a trivet. Crocheted squares often work great as a hot pad for your pots and pans on the table. If you find that 4″ is too small, you can even add a border!
3. Make a scarf! By sewing your 4″ squares together into a long line, you could end up with a cool patchwork-type scarf!
4. Unfortunately, I’m having trouble thinking of uses for round swatches. If you have any ideas, let me know in the comments!

I hope you enjoyed this article and learned something new about swatches! To continue learning about this topic, I would invite you to download my FREE gauge checklist!

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Happy Crocheting!

The post How to Make a Crochet Gauge Swatch (rows AND rounds!) appeared first on .

As we get started, let me tell you a quick story…

I was a young teenager, and extremely excited. I had just opened a birthday gift from my parents and found a little pattern booklet from Joann, plus all the balls of of yarn I needed to make an amazing garment pattern included.

I had tried to make garments before by just experimenting without a pattern. Those hadn’t turned out so well. But this time – this time I had a pattern, and the EXACT yarn that it called for. What could go wrong?

Unfortunately, a lot went wrong.

I took out one of the small but beautiful skeins of Patons Grace cotton yarn. By this time I knew what crochet gauge was, and I knew I needed to meet it if I wanted this garment to fit me.

But, I found myself faced with multiple problems.

First of all, the gauge just said to do a specific number of stitches and rows “in the stitch pattern.” But it didn’t specify WHAT the stitch pattern was.

After multiple tries, I finally worked out what I *thought* was the stitch, so I started making a swatch.

I went along until it measured about 4″ by 4″. Then, I got out my ruler and measured…

The Stitch Gauge was perfect! Right on point to what the pattern said. But to my dismay, the row gauge was totally off. Like, we’re talking 2-3 rows LARGER than the pattern said it could be.

I tried all the tips that you see blogs tell you to fix it. I changed my hook size multiple times. I tried to crochet tighter. But nothing helped.

Eventually, I gave up. If I couldn’t meet row gauge, I couldn’t make the pattern. If only I had known this one important secret…

What if My Row Gauge is Off?

If you’re reading this blog post, you can probably relate to that story (and YES, it really happened!) You’re probably wondering: what can I do to fix my row gauge?

The truth is, this is a very common issue. So first of all, take comfort in the fact that you’re not alone! Most crocheters have had trouble with this before, or will have trouble with it at some point.

Now, before we get to the “secret” I’m going to tell you about row gauge, we need to cover a few other questions first.

How do you find the gauge of a row?

First of all, what is row gauge anyway, and how do you find it or measure it? Basically, row gauge is found by measuring a crochet swatch vertically. Just lay out your swatch and place your ruler or measuring tape on top so that it is measuring the length of your rows.

Here’s an example of measuring crochet row gauge on a double crochet swatch. In this gauge, I have obtained 7 double crochet rows in 4″. (For lots more info on swatching and measuring gauge, read this article!)

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How important is row gauge anyway?

Can I tell you something that might just be life changing? Row gauge, in some cases, actually isn’t super important!

Now, before you take that and run with it, hear me correctly – it does depend on the project and the circumstance.

Row gauge doesn’t matter as much for projects where you can easily adjust the length. For example, a lot of my crochet garment patterns are made from simple rectangles. While they all include row gauge, it’s not super important to meet it, because you can easily make the panels longer or shorter as you see fit.

However, with other patterns row gauge may be a lot more important. If a pattern includes a lot of shaping, and different sections of it are different lengths, this might be a case where you DO want to pay attention to row gauge.

So here’s my point:

Evaluate whether you can just adjust length or if you need row gauge.

All you need to do is look at a pattern and figure out if row gauge is truly important. If a garment is made from simple rectangles, there’s a good chance you will be okay if your row gauge is a little off. But if you see signs of shaping or other elements that rely on length, you WILL need this.

If you determine that row gauge IS necessary for your project and you want to know how to get it right, keep reading!

Fixing Crochet Gauge HEIGHT

As you’ve probably figured out by now, row gauge is all about the height of your rows. However, it is also about the height of your stitches, since the height of your stitches will define the height of your rows.

In order to fix crochet gauge height, there is one main thing that will help:

If your crochet row Gauge is off, use the Golden Loop!

Remember the “secret” I referred to at the beginning of this post? This is it! I call it a ‘secret’ only because most people don’t know about it. The Golden Loop Method is a method that will allow you to adjust the height of your stitches in order to get an accurate row gauge. Basically, you will learn what loop in your crochet stitch affects the height – so you can change it.

What is the Golden Loop?

The Golden Loop itself is a specific part of a crochet stitch. In order to understand it, we need to dive into the anatomy of a stitch. But put into a simple definition, the golden loop is the FIRST LOOP that you pull up whenever you make a stitch.

Take a look below!

The Anatomy of a Crochet Stitch

Now that you’ve seen the golden loop, it is important to dive into the anatomy of that double crochet stitch a little more. This will help you understand why the golden loop affects row gauge.

In the diagram below, I’ve started my double crochet but haven’t finished yet. All I’ve done is yarn over and pull up the first loop. As you can see, there are 3 different loops on my hook right now. I have:

1. The loop that was on my hook when I finished the previous stitch. This will become the top of my new stitch.
2. The yarn over I put over my hook before even inserting my hook into the next stitch.
3. The first loop I pulled up after inserting my hook (the golden loop!)

How is this relevant? Well, it is important to know the makeup of these stitches so you figure out how to change your row gauge. That first loop and yarn over loop are what will form the middle of your double crochet stitch.

But the first loop (the golden loop) specifically affects the height of the stitches the MOST. The height that you pull this loop up to will affect the height of your stitch – which will in turn affect your row gauge.

Change Row Gauge Based on How You Crochet

When it comes to pulling up that first loop, did you know that people actually do it in 3 different ways? That’s right. If you can understand how you naturally pull up the golden loop (and the way others do it) you can actually learn to change your row gauge!

So let’s talk about the 3 stereotypes of people who pull up the golden loop – known as “riders,” “lifters,” and “yankers.”

(Disclaimer – I don’t know who came up with these names. It wasn’t me! But I appreciate whoever did).

Crochet Riders

We’ll start with riders because this type of crocheter seems to be the most balanced What I mean by that is they generally don’t crochet super tight or super loose. Rather, they keep the their stitches “riding” along the top of the stitches from the previous row.

For riders, the golden loop is about the same size as the working loop—not bigger and not smaller. Whereas, the next 2 types of crocheters will both go to different extremes.

Crochet Lifters

What is a lifter? A crochet ‘lifter’ is someone who LIFTS up the golden loop up from the work. When they begin a stitch and pull up that first loop, they lift it up higher than other crocheters.

The result is that ‘lifters’ generally have TALLER stitches. The reason being, they pull that golden loop up HIGHER. If you find that your row gauge is usually way bigger than a pattern’s recommendation, it is likely that you are a lifter!

Personally, this is what I tend toward naturally. That’s why I had so much trouble with the pattern I told you about in the beginning.

Crochet Yankers

Lastly, we have to talk about ‘yankers’. As you probably can guess, yankers are the opposite of lifters. Instead of pulling their golden loop up high, they yank so that it is very tight—smaller than the other working loops on their hook.

Naturally, yankers may end up with very short stitches. If you often find yourself frustrated that your row gauge is shorter than the pattern, you are probably a yanker!

So What Type of Crocheter Are You?

Are you a rider, a lifter, or a yanker? I would love to hear in the comments!

But more importantly, let’s talk about how you can use this information to fix your row gauge.

1. Recognize your natural tendency. I think it can be relief to at least know WHY your row gauge isn’t working, right? Once you realize which type of crocheter you are, you will finally know that ‘why’.
2. Practice crocheting all 3 ways. If you can get in the habit of making your stitches taller or shorter using the golden loop, you will be able to switch between these 3 methods when your row gauge is off!
3. Think about whether or not you switch between these methods naturally depending on your mood. For example, maybe when you’re stressed, you tend to yank, but when you’re relaxed, you lift. This is just something to look out for!

Final Thoughts

Row gauge can be a pain. I know that from personal experience. But hopefully this post has help you understand when it is necessary and when you need to use the golden loop to fix it! If you have questions about anything, feel free to comment below so I can help.

Sharing is Caring!

Want to help others learn about the amazing golden loop? Share this post on social media! Pin to pinterest right here, or tag me on Instagram or Facebook.

SHARING IS CARING!

If you did enjoy this post, I would love if you shared it in the following places so many MORE people can see it!

• Pin to Pinterest – just hover over any of the photos in this post and click “save”
• Tag me in your Instagram posts
• Share photos in my Facebook Group

Happy Crocheting!

The post This Crochet Row Gauge Secret will Change Your Life appeared first on .