Tension and Gauge Swatches

Tension and Gauge Swatches

Make your garment the same size as the pattern intended

Gauge swatches are a fundamental tool in the world of crochet and knitting.

They typically measure 4 inches or 10 centimeters square, and their purpose is to ensure that your project turns out just right.

 

New Project New Swatch

When you embark on a new project, the pattern provides guidelines, specifying the ideal hook size and yarn to use.

However, in the real world of crafting, we often find ourselves reaching for the yarn that’s readily available, and it may not match the pattern’s recommendations.

This seemingly small deviation can lead to a project that turns out either too large or too small compared to what the pattern intended.

This is where the importance of making a gauge swatch, or as some call it, a tension square, becomes evident.

A gauge swatch is your safeguard against potential mishaps in your crafting journey.

How To Create a Guage Swatch

To create a gauge swatch, you select the yarn you intend to use and pair it with the hook you plan to work with.

Then, you crochet a small square that adheres to the pattern’s specifications for the gauge.

This usually involves making a square that’s 4 inches by 4 inches or 10 centimeters by 10 centimeters.

 

Too Big or Too Small

  • If the swatch is too small then you should use a larger hook.
  • If the swatch is too big then you should use a smaller hook.

The idea is to use the hook that results in the same measurements as the original pattern.

Tension

The purpose of this little square is to test your tension, which is how tightly or loosely you crochet. Everyone’s tension can vary slightly, and it can even change from project to project.

By creating a gauge swatch, you can see if your tension matches the pattern’s requirements.

If your square turns out too large, it indicates that you are crocheting too loosely.

Conversely, if it’s too small, you’re crocheting too tightly.

The beauty of the gauge swatch is that it allows you to make adjustments before you dive into the main project.

If your swatch doesn’t meet the pattern’s gauge, you can experiment with different hook sizes until you achieve the correct tension.

This small but essential step can save you hours of work and prevent the disappointment of ending up with a project that doesn’t fit or look as intended.

 

When to Do a Gauge Swatch

Size and tension matters more in garments that have to fit like clothes rather than blankets or throws which are still ok if they are a little bigger or smaller.

When you start a new pattern always do a test swatch  to make sure you will have the correct size at the end.

A Practice Run

So, in the world of crochet, the gauge swatch is like a practice run, a test drive, ensuring that your creativity aligns with the pattern’s specifications.

It’s a valuable tool that empowers you to take control of your crafting and achieve the desired results.

Remember, while the initial excitement of starting a new project can be irresistible, taking the time to create a gauge swatch is a wise and caring step that ensures your crafting journey is smooth and successful.

 

Author Bio

Alison Heathcote, a passionate crochet enthusiast and dedicated business blogger, combines her love for crafting and entrepreneurship to inspire and connect with others.

With a knack for transforming yarn into beautiful creations and a flair for sharing valuable insights about running a successful crochet business, Alison embodies the perfect blend of creativity and practicality.

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Crochet Patterns

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Learn to Read a Crochet Diagram

by Alison Stapleton

Features of a crochet diagram pattern

In general

Reading a written crochet pattern assumes many things.

Such as:

  • That you can read English
  • That you use either UK or USA stitch names
  • That the pattern is written correctly
  • That the pattern instructions are clear

Let’s look at each one by itself.

It assumes that – you speak English

I speak English as probably you do to as you are reading this. But I also like to use patterns from other countries.

I think the Japanese crochet diagrams are the best. They are clear and precise and I don’t have to read Japanese to use the patterns.

Likewise, if I design a crochet garment and I only write the pattern in English words, then other world wide crocheters can’t read my work.

I want my designs to be used by all crocheters and that is why I write the pattern in English and draw the crochet stitch diagram to go with it.

Almost every pattern on my site and my books are both written and have a diagram.

It assumes that – you know the difference between a UK or USA stitch

The difference between UK and USA crochet stitches and why the diagram is clear.

The UK double crochet and treble crochet are the same as the USA single crochet and double crochet.

The actual stitch is the same but the name of the stitch is different.

Double Crochet (USA) is the same as Treble Crochet (UK)

  • Yarn over hook (two loops on hook)
  • Insert hook into stitch below.
  • Yarn over hook, and pull through stitch below (three loops on hook)
  • Yarn over hook, pull through two loops (two loops remain on hook).
  • And then, yarn over hook, pull through two loops (two loops remain on hook).
  • Yarn over hook, pull through last two loops (one loop remains on hook).

It assumes that – the pattern is written correctly

In a written crochet pattern there are lines of code for the pattern rows. Such as:

RSF R1, yoh (rep5.) 3tr, 2ch 1FPst (rep. from * to * 8 times) turn.

Now in the above sentence (if it is a sentence), any error in the typing (a typo) will create an error in the pattern. And the crafter will not be able to complete the garment because she can’t read the pattern.

In a long pattern with motives, sections and finished borders there could be over 100 lines of pattern instruction. One line will create a problem and often there are two or three errors in a pattern.images-1

This makes the whole job a frustration and the crocheter may give up and (this is the worse part), tell others that your patterns are always incorrect and they should avoid them.

This is not good if you are in the business of selling patterns.

It assumes that – the instructions are clear

There comes a time in written crochet patterns when they will benefit from more explanation. This is achieved by expanding on the instructions and writing instructions in plain English.

We can all do with clarity at times. And crochet patters are no exception.

If a pattern is too hard to understand because of how it is written then it will not work. That pattern is no good.

Crochet diagrams symbols

Diagram symbols

In diagram a there is one symbol for every stitch.images

Chain

Slip stitch

Double crochet

Treble crochet

Each symbol is drawn separately.

Diagram rows

Each row is numbered.

Every row has an arrow indicating which way the row is worked. Either left to right, right to left or in the round.

Typically each Rosie drawn in a different color so you ca clearly see which row you are on. Here I use black and blue to separate the rows.

Benefits of crochet pattern diagrams

A picture is worth a thousand words. And this is true of crochet diagrams.

  • Uses left brain of visual imagery.
  • Designer can be non-native English speaker.
  • The diagram can be read by everyone on earth.
  • Clarity uses less space. One page for each project.
  • Can be printed bigger for older eyes.
  • Kids can use them.

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Did You Take a Vow of Poverty?

by Alison Stapleton

images-2Your Money and Self Worth

We feel good when we have money. But how much money we need to have in order to feel good is relative.

Some people actually feel better when they have less or even not enough.

It depends where you come from and your family, background and upbringing, that determines how you feel about money and self worth.

Sometimes the road to financial bounty needs a little help from within. This has nothing to do with your earning ability but is a deep issue that can be a blockage to building a thriving micro-business.

If you are serious about growing your crochet business or other craft venture then think about whether you have accepted roadblocks to wealth and prosperity.

A Vow of Poverty

Some people have taken a vow of poverty.

A vow of poverty is often an unconscious decision to be poor. You believe that it is your fate to be poor, and that you cannot be otherwise, no matter how hard you work or what you do.

It may not have been a conscious vow of poverty, or even taken in this lifetime, but if you think this may be you then you need to release yourself from any vow of poverty.

Write the following on a piece of paper:

I free myself from any vow of poverty taken in this life or a past life.

I humbly accept my bounty as deemed by God.

I am worthy of a financially good life while on planet Earth.

It is in my spirit to prosper.

Amen

Now revoke your vow of poverty by saying out loud the written vow. If you feel you need more affirmation then read it out loud to yourself every night before bed.

Next you have to live by this freedom.

You will start to believe that you have permission to:

  • Earn a fair wage or salary
  • Earn a good income
  • Accept all offers of financial help
  • Consider every wealth improvement idea
  • Charge for your goods and services at market value
  • Charge above market value for things you are highly skilled in doing
  • Honor ever cent you get
  • Respect your money as you respect yourself

These simple steps can clear the free flow of abundance towards your life.

Embrace it.

 





Your Crochet Business

Author: Alison Heathcote   –   Published: April 2013   –   Revised: January 2024

Your Crochet Business

What is a micro business?

A micro business is any little business that makes money. For example when you crochet something and sell the finished product or the pattern. Typically a micro business is a one man (or woman) show. If you crochet (or knit or craft) and sell your items you have a micro business.

A micro business can also be referred to as a the new word of solopreneur. Like an entrepreneur, but going solo, or on your own. A micro business can grow to two, three or four people working together but it is usually that one person does it all, all the business things like:

  • The ideas,
  • design,
  • sourcing materials,
  • manufacturer of the items,
  • advertising,
  • production,
  • marketing,
  • promoting,
  • website management,
  • social media, pricing,
  • selling and
  • banking.

Phew!

You may not realize you have a micro business

If you make items and give them to others or to charity then you are not a micro business. If you do take money for your crafted items then you have a micro business.

 

Good karma

All income and costs need to be declared to the tax man. Don’t start pocketing the cash if you do it creates bad karma around money for you in the future.

You want the money to flow towards you and that you will prosper. If you cheat the system you create blockages for the money stream and this stops other good things like prosperity Being able to gravitate towards you.

 

Start today and get your abundance flowing in

Note every cent in and out from day one. You will likely get a refund anyway if your turnover is low and under one thousand dollars a year. Do not worry about this now, but make records. Money in and out. Keep receipts for every purchase for your creations like that ball of yarn from the wool shop or a new paintbrush for your art.

Start today. Let the universe know that you are in business. If you think you may have taken a vow of poverty now is the time to let it go.

 

Thought, word and deed

First you think of the idea of say, to make a hat. Then you speak about your ideas to make the hat. Then you do the deed and make the hat.

There is a sequence to creativity.

I want to add another step and that is to journal the process and to capture the moment.

 

 

Journaling your ideas

Get a notebook. Open it to the first double page.

On the left hand side draw the image of the item, the pattern diagram the finished garment. Here you can add the color palette and note or scetch any special details. On the right hand page write “Hat” (or whatever your craft project is) at the top. Write all the details of the yarns, pattern and hook, and instructions to make the hat. Two thirds of the way down the page draw a line across the page.

In the lower right part express your feelings about the project. Are you excited, scared, happy, overwhelmed, or finally at peace? Keep your notebook handy. Over the days and weeks of the project, journal the process and your feelings about the item.

how-to-start-a-crochet-business

Pin this to read later.

Choosing your Notebooks

I like Moleskin notebooks. Size A5 which is about 5” wide by 8” long. Get the one with plain blank pages and no lines.

On a side note, they also have a screenwriters design with a story board format which is fun to use for a “How-to” project.

 

Creative Journal

Don’t let another idea pass you by. Note it in your creative journal. You can go back over your many ideas later and weed out what is good and doable, and look at why a project is not going to get done. Become used to capturing your ideas.

crocheted-pots-in-blue-and-pink

Author Bio

Alison Heathcote is a passionate crochet enthusiast and dedicated business blogger. She combines her love for crafting and entrepreneurship to inspire and connect with others.

With a knack for transforming yarn into beautiful creations and a flair for sharing valuable insights about running a successful crochet business, Alison embodies the perfect blend of creativity and practicality.

Read more about Alison’s crochet journey.

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Piece Work Crochet and Cosmopolitan

by Alison Stapleton

One morning there was an advert in the local newspaper it read,

“Crocheters wanted, meet me at the Table View Mall café at 12 noon on Saturday, Jenny.”

As a crocheter clearly this ad was for me. Wasn’t it?

I duly arrived at the café on the appointed time to find that I was not the only one who could crochet.

There were twenty-five to thirty women chatting and drinking coffee and waiting for noon.

IMG_2024

Jenny arrived all suntanned and long blonde hair. She had a bag of little squiggly items and dropped one in front of each of the crocheters.

Then she passed around a little ball of shirring elastic in a variety of colours and gave everyone ten little beads.

The squiggly thing turned out to be a foot ornament worn on the beach with bare feet. It looped over your big toe and then around your ankle. There was assorted African beads on the top as decoration. It was a fun item for summer.

Jenny said to us all, “Make me a sample just like this one and see me back here next Friday at the same time.”

There was a lot of chatter amongst the crocheters and off they went. I went home clutching the sample, elastic and beads.

The pattern was easy to replicate, but the difficult part was working with the shirring elastic. It stretched and I had to try many different sizes of hooks to get the tension just right.

After several attempts, I made what I thought was a good copy of the sample she gave me. I was ready to show my creation to her. I wondered how the other women had got on.

Friday arrived and I was there early with my coffee in front of me waiting for the rush of crocheters.

No one came.

Jenny arrived at five past twelve she saw me and came over to my table. I showed her my work. She liked it. Another woman arrived with her attempt and that too was good.

We were the only ones to bring a sample of our work and the others did not bother.

IMG_2026

Piecework production

So it began, we would be paid $50 for ten pairs of barefoot sandals which Jenny would sell the at her flea market stall at the Green Market Square for $25 each.

I worked every moment I had spare to get my ten pairs done on time. Not that I had much time with a six month old baby, a toddler of two years and two children aged eight and eleven at school.

On top of this we were renovating the house and had the kitchen in disrepair for months. But I pressed on.

Friday came I met her at the café and she gave me the cash and I gave her the now called “barefoot sandals”.

All this kept going week after week, for six months as the summer wore on.

Jenny’s original designs and her sandy feet were featured in Cosmopolitan magazine and here is a photo of the barefoot sandals I made from the magazine.

IMG_2025

This easy casual work eventually ended but it was a good summer for me and the piece work crochet.


What I learnt about piece work

  • Piece work is good while it lasts
  • You need the skill to do the work.
  • You need the time to do the work



How to Use Pattern and Colour in Crochet

by Alison Stapleton

Many crochet projects use pattern and color to add to the beauty of the item

Crochet excels at being flexible and there are so many patterns and color ways to choose from it can become overwhelming at times.

Knowing when to use either pattern or color is important to the aesthetic integrity of your item.

It is not usual to mix pattern and color changes together in the same garment.

When to use pattern stitches

imagesUse a pattern stitch with a yarn that is a plain solid color.

Use a pattern stitch for a garment that is one color all over.

Do not use pattern with a variegated yarn and do not use pattern with multiple colors as you can’t see the beauty of the pattern in amongst the color changes.

  • An example of pattern over color is this intricate white square.

When to use color combinations

IMG_1855Color is best used on plain stitch items where the stitches are all the same and the color changes and combinations add to the beauty of the item.

  • An example of color over pattern stitches is the granny square.

By spending some time choosing your color and patterns wisely you can vastly improve your handcrafted crocheted items.





The Doll’s House Maker

Joe’s Story

Background

Joe was married and had three kids at school.

Joe’s skill was woodworking.

His talent was crafting wooden doll‘s houses. With having two daughters he had made the first doll’s house when the girls were very young and they had hours of fun playing with it.

Joe worked in a factory. He did not earn much and Christmas was coming.

That year he designed a traditional doll’s house. The roof was painted in magic green and this set off the rustic style of the house beautifully.

The side hinged out so a child could play with the dolls and furniture and live out a fantasy life in miniature.

One year Joe made a sample house and invited the neighbours around to see and hopefully to take orders.

Joe got ten orders for his doll’s house that night. That meant he had four weeks to complete the work. He was excited.

The next Monday be received an order or another five houses from the original people who had seen the sample house, and who had told their friends. And so it was. Joe had verbal orders to build fifteen wooden doll’s houses by Christmas Eve.

He did.

He worked a forty-hour week at the factory and then every evening after dinner he started sawing and nailing wood in his garage. He worked every weeknight until midnight and all day at the weekend.

It took time. Every piece was cut and sanded by hand. The sides were glued and nailed together. The paint had to dry

He took pride in his work.

 

    The Plan

    He had bought all the materials he needed to make the houses for around $200. Joe planned to sell them for $20 each. So, his fifteen houses would be (15 x $20 = $300), giving him a profit of $100. This was the plan.

    In the end he made the fifteen doll’s houses.

    He was paid for ten as he delivered them the day before Christmas Eve but did not get paid for the final five.

    Why, because he was too late in delivering them (the plan was Christmas Eve) but the people who had ordered the houses from him got nervous, that they would be let down, and so they bought other gifts for their kids.

    That meant they did not have the cash to pay for the doll’s houses they had ordered from Joe.

    In the end Joe broke even and was left with five doll’s houses.

    Of course he may have broken even in the money numbers, but he was not compensated for all the work he had done for the past four weeks. That effort he was not paid for.

    He was tired and had no extra cash for his family for their Christmas meal and gifts.

    During the New Year he managed to sell the other houses eventually.

    What went wrong?

    This happens often that crafts people go into micro businesses (which is what it is if you make things to sell) not fully understanding the time commitment required and how to price correctly for their hand made goods.

    Joe could have:

     

    • Taken a deposit for each order
    • Delivered the houses one-by-one as they were made
    • Charged a bit more for each house
    • Got help building the houses
    • Made fewer houses, at a better price, that could have been delivered early

    How You Can Benefit 

    You can benefit from Joe’s story in your micro business.

    There are a few things you can do to improve how you manage you small craft business and I will discuss them in future posts.

     

    • Your first sale
    • How to calculate the true cost of your hand crafted items
    • What to charge for your hand crafted goods
    • How and why you should take a deposit
    • How to respect your skills and charge accordingly
    • What to do with the money you make

    Author Bio

    Alison Heathcote, a passionate crochet enthusiast and dedicated business blogger, combines her love for crafting and entrepreneurship to inspire and connect with others.

    With a knack for transforming yarn into beautiful creations and a flair for sharing valuable insights about running a successful crochet business, Alison embodies the perfect blend of creativity and practicality.

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    Crochet Hooks

     by Alison Stapleton

    Crochet Hook Sizes

    Crochet hooks are measured in different sizes and the two types of measurement are metric and imperial.

    IMG_1996

    Metric Size Hooks (UK)

    Metric hook sizes are measured in millimeters (mm).

    This refers to the diameter of the hook.

    Such as:

    1.25mm, 2mm, 3.5mm, 4mm, 4.5mm, 5mm, 5.5mm, 6mm, 7mm, 8mm, 9mm, 10mm, 1mm, 15mm and 20mm.

    IMG_1994

    Imperial Size Hooks (USA)

    Imperial sizes are usually feet and inches and in this case crochet hooks are given a letter of the alphabet.

    Crochet Hook Size Chart

    Old US sizes

    Metric

    A 0 2.00 mm
    B 1 2.25 mm
    C 2 2.75 mm
    D 3 3.25 mm
    E 4 3.50 mm
    F 5 3.75 mm
    G 6 4.00 mm
    7 4.50 mm
    H 8 5.00 mm
    I 9 5.5 mm
    J 10 6 mm
    K 10 ½ 6.5 mm
    L 11 8 mm
    M 13 9 mm
    N / P 15 10 mm
    O 12 mm
    P / Q 15 mm
    Q 16 mm
    R 19 mm
    S 25 mm

    Hook materials

    Crochet hooks can be made from many materials but the usual ones are:

    • Steel
    • Aluminium
    • Bamboo
    • Hardwood
    • Plastic
    • Glass

    Bamboo and plastic crochet hooks bend and this can slow you down. The best hooks are made from steel, aluminum or hard woods like rosewood.

    Aluminum crochet hooks come in different colors for each size so you can see immediately the difference between a 4.5mm hook and a 5mm hook.

    Collecting hooks

    Over time you will collect many crochet hooks in different sizes and also hooks in the same size so you can have one for each project or every place which you crochet.

    IMG_1998

    For example I have one crochet hook in the kitchen drawer for squares and one in the car also for squares.

    I also have a hook next to my chair in front of the TV for the bigger projects and blankets.





    Yarns

    by Alison Stapleton

    A Good Yarn

    Yarns are long stories told over a campfire, sipping hot chocolate at the end of the day.

    Yarns are all wool acrylics and threads used in crochet. A yarn is a general term for all the types of wool, cotton and blends that you will use once you pick up your crochet hook.

    Natural Yarns

    All natural yarns come from plants or animals.

    To be listed as 100% wool for example they have to be made 100% from the fleece of a sheep.

    Many natural yarns are blends. Blended yarns are either made with other natural yarns, like cotton or silk, or synthetic yarns like acrylic for durability.

    Natural yarns are biodegradable and will eventually rot away. They are safe for the planet.

    This is why we don’t have many examples of ancient crochet garments.

    Animal based yarns

    Wool

    Wool comes from sheep. It is made from the fleece of a ewe (a female sheep) which is shorn or cut off every year. This process is called shearing.

    Shearing does not hurt the animal it is rather like cutting your hair.

    Fleece is spun into wool hanks which are long loops of wool. The hanks are twisted and then may be rolled into balls.

    Wool was originally spun on a spinning wheel but now mostly by machine. Some communities still spin their own wool from their own sheep.

    Wool has superb warming capabilities and a jersey made from 100% wool is warm and cozy although it can be a bit scratchy.

    Wool has a distinctive smell when wet. Wool will shrink in a hot wash.

    Cotton

    Cotton comes from a plant. It is grown as a crop and harvested once a year. Cotton fields are planted is warmer areas and although it is a natural product many chemicals are used in the bleaching of cotton. Cotton will shrink in a hot wash. Although often cotton is sold “preshrunk.”

    Raw cotton is very rough to use in crochet.

    Mercerized cotton threads have been smoothed to aid a free flow over the hook when crocheting. Mercerized cotton has a pleasant sheen.

    Silk

    Silk comes from silkworms. After the worm has wound one long thread around it’s body, in a figure eight pattern, the silk worm farmer picks the end of the silk thread and winds it onto a bobbin. This does kill the silk worm.

    Each thread of silk is washed and dyed and may be spun with other fibers to create a thicker yarn.

    Plant based yarns

    Banana silk

    Banana silk is made from the fronds leaves of the banana plant strelitzia nicolai

    It is a slightly rough texture and good for rugs and mats. There is a sheen to the yarn.

    Bamboo

    Bamboo is a plant. The inner fibers are cut out and washed and spun into either a 100% bamboo yarn or it is mixed with other natural or synthetic fibers. Bamboo is grown in regrowth forests and takes little from the natural world.

    Hemp

    Is a plant and has many uses. It is most often seen as hessian or burlap sacks from grain.

    Synthetic yarns

    All synthetic yarns are man made. Synthetic yarns first became widely available in the 1800’s. Victorians used silks and cottons and wools.

    Nylon

    Nylon was originally created in both New York (NY) and London, England (LON) at the same time. Nylon is a basis for many synthetic yarns.

    Rayon

    Rayon is a derivative or nylon and has a dry silky feel and sheen.

    Acrylic

    Acrylic yarns can be a blend of several man made yarns twisted to form the length of yarn. Acrylic yarns wash well and hold their colours well. Acrylics are often used in children’s clothes. Acrylics are used for durability.

    Mixed yarns

    Mixed yarns are a combination of either natural or synthetic yarns.

    Often they combine 2% silk with cotton or bamboo to give the yarn a silky feel.

    Wool is combined with acrylics for cost purposes as natural wool is expensive.


    Yarn thicknesses

    Yarns purchased today often conform to the standard thickness symbols for the weight.

    The thicker the yarn the bigger the crochet hook you need, and the thinner the yarn the thinner the hook you need.

    When wool is spun the finest thread is known as lace and moving up the scale the manufacturers combine two three or four threads together in the manufacture of thicker yarns.

    Yarns come in different thicknesses. They each have a name and are used for different things.

    The thicker the yarn the thicker the hook.

    Do not use a thin hook with thick yarn or a thick hook with a thin yarn.

    As a rule the thickness of the yarns should be the same as the diameter of the hook.


    Yarn weight and category names

    Yarns have been categorized by their thickness. Most yarns conform to these symbols and you can swop out the recommended yarns for each pattern by using a yarn in the same weight as the suggested yarns.

    In this way if you don’t have the specific ball of wool you can make adjustments and use a yarn of a similar weight to obtain the same results as the item in the pattern.

    0 = Lace (fingerling), use hook 1.00 mm – 1.50 mm

    1 = Superfine (sock), use hook 2.50 mm – 3.50 mm

    2 = Fine (baby or 4 ply), use hook 3.50 mm – 4.50 mm

    3 = Light (double knitting or DK), use hook 4.50 mm – 5.50 mm

    4 = Medium (worsted, Afghan or Aran), use hook 5.50 mm – 6.50 mm

    5 = Bulky (bulky or rug), use hook 6.50 mm – 9.00 mm

    6 = Super bulky (super bulky), use hook 9.00 mm – 15.00 mm

    7 = Jumbo (jumbo), use hook 15.00 mm or larger


    1ply Fingerling

    This is the fine thread that comes from a spinning wheel. It is the basis of all yarn weights. This is also referred to a floss. It is as thin as dental floss.

    It is used is light and airy shawls and christening shawls.

    2ply

    Used for socks and light baby shawls.

    3ply

    3ply is used for socks and thin under garments. It is used for Scottish Fair Isle where two colors are used at ones and the spare color is carried over.

    So the actual garment is thicker because of the two threads.

    4ply

    4ply is used with a 3.5mm hook and is a popular yarn weight.

    4ply is good for cool summer tops and light garments.

    Sport (Double knitting) (worsted)

    Double knitting is used in many projects for nursery cardigans blankets and is easy to buy. Double knitting uses 5mm hooks.

    Chunky or Bulky

    Chunky and thick yarns you can use an 8mm, 9mm or 10mm hook.

    Chunky yarns are great for afghans, chair covers and thick jerseys, coats and scarves

    Extra Chunky Extra Bulky

    Extra chunky yarn will use the biggest hooks. Such as a 12mm, 15mm or 20mm hook.

    Extra chunky is used for baskets, rugs and mats.

    In Thickness and in Thin

    The thinner the yarn the thinner the hook, and the thicker the yarn the thicker the hook.




     


    yarn

    How to Name Your Patterns

    Pattern Designers

    If you are a pattern designer and most of us are, and I certainly am, you need to name each pattern I find the main trend is to name things after girls names like Jessica’s hat and Megan’s hat. But in the end there are so many Jessica’s hats that it gets confusing. Let me share with you some ideas on naming your crochet items so they add value to your goods and they start to sell themselves.

    Naming the names

    I’ve always been a stickler for names and naming things correctly as I believe that the names you have and use impart some of the meaning to the items or person. It is often the case that Mr. Woods is a gardener and Mrs. Draper is in fact a draper. These are last names and the root for most last names is from the trades the people performed way back. Choosing a good name for your patterns may take a bit of thought, but it is worth it. There is no hard and fast rule on how to do this, however, you will know when you have the best name for your patterns. Maybe you are into gemstones, so you name you patterns the Emerald Earwarmer or the Beryl Bag. Or perhaps you like dogs, so you name your items the Labrador Lacy Legwarmer and the Pretty Poodle Purse. It doesn’t matter what you choose really, but that the names mean something to you, and they are not another Jessica’s hat.

    Old English Creations Pattern names

    Because I have the crochet name of Old English Creations I decided to name my patterns after the counties in England and other villages, towns and cities I have visited. Most of our patterns come with a little snippet from Merry Old England and elsewhere and are named after places we have lived.

    County

    An English county is like a U.S. State or a Canadian or South African province. There is no rhyme or reason but I thought it was a good way to move from your Jessica hat and the next persons Jessica’s hat. But let me tell you a secret. The first pattern is named Lancashire for a reason that Lancashire is my home county. I was born there and it will always have a special jam place in my heart. But. Because I make shawls and wraps there is an old folk song about Lancashire shawls. Here goes…

    The Lassie from Lancashire

    She’s a lassie from Lancashire

    Just a lassie from Lancashire.

    She’s a lassie from Lancashire

    Oh, so, dear.

    Though she dresses in clogs and shawls,

    She’s the prettiest of them all.

    None could be rarer, or fairer, than Sarah,

    The lassie from Lancashire.


    As I start this blog and get things going I may live to regret this decision (to name things as above), but that will be a thought for another day and for now I like the plan and will keep to it.