Dee, can you explain "gauge" to me a bit more?

**homesteadmamma** · 11-07-2003, 12:00 AM

I'm not sure I understand what your saying about guage. Can you explain it a bit more. And do all patterns tell you what the guage is suppose to be?

**mrscornbread** · 11-07-2003, 12:47 AM

Well I am not Dee, but I am pretty sure that just about all patterns give a gauge. JUst measure that many stitches in the gauge by the amount of inches.

3sc/inch...you should have 3 single crochets in one inch, if it is too big, then decrease your hook. If it is too small then increase hook size.

You will learn if you crochet loose or tight. if you have to increase your hook size, then you probably crochet tight. If you have to decrease hook size then you probably crochet loose.

Lori and I are opposites, she crochets very tight and me very loose. You will learn to adjust hook sizes accordingle. I know if a pattern calls for a big hook like a g or h, I always chose 1 size less to achieve the gauge.

There's my two cents worth. Hope it was helpful

**SewCrafty** · 11-07-2003, 05:40 PM

GAUGE . . . When you are planning to make an article, it is very important that you should not ignore the word gauge if you wish your article to be the correct size. The word gauge may not appear in every set of crochet directions, but it does appear wherever necessary.

Gauge means the number of stitches equivalent to one inch; and the number of rows equivalent to one inch. Make a practice piece at least two inches square; using the hook and thread specified in directions. If your stitches to the inch do not correspond with the stitches to the inch in the gauge, something is wrong. More stitches than those specified to the inch means that you should use a larger hook. With less stitches to the inch, use a smaller hook and try again. Keep changing your hook until your gauge is exactly the same as the gauge specified.

http://www.softmemories.com/AntiqueC...earn/hints.htm

This site offers some help from an old book on learning how to crochet.

I must crochet and knit pretty even as I rarely have to change hook or needle size from what a pattern states to use.

Example: If a pattern guage is 10 stitches to the inch x 10 rows to the inch, and your work comes out 7 sts = 1" x 7 rows = 1" you are working tighter than the gauge of the pattern. Go up one hook size.

This will make a difference say in making a sweater. You will be fine adding more rows on the body of the sweater for length but will have to add more sts. on the base chain to get the proper width of the sweater. And when you come to decreasing for the armholes and neck line it will be a nightmare trying to figure it out with your additional stitches and don't forget you will have to do more rows too because you are 3 rows short of the guage.

Robin is right. Guage is very important when making a project. That is why it is so important to make a sample swatch out of the yarn you are going to use to find out what size hook you need. (Same goes for knitting) This will save you a lot of headaches latter in the project.

Does that help you CJ?

**homesteadmamma** · 11-07-2003, 06:31 PM

Thanks Dee and Robin.

Dee, I've never had a problem with knitting and I've never done it by "guage". I guess I'm knitting right.

Where I'm having the problem with crocheting is being able to count the rows, but I think I've figured it out. I guess it really is more important if your making a clothing item, is that right. An afghan I would have to worry about cause if its a different size than what its suppose to be, that should be okay right (as long as I'm not making blocks).

**SewCrafty** · 11-07-2003, 06:34 PM

Correct CJ. I don't worry so much about crocheting an afghan so much either. Unless you crochet really tight or really loose, it won't make much difference at all when making an afghan.

What is the pattern stitch you are doing? I'll make up a swatch and show you how to count the rows.

**homesteadmamma** · 11-07-2003, 06:42 PM

Its a really simple pattern but when I look at the ends, it all looks the same!!! I can't imagine what it will be like when I get to a more difficult pattern.

First row of pattern is :Ch1, turn; working in Back Loops ONly, sc in first sc, (dc in next dc, sc in next sc) across. (This is the 3rd row, because we've done 2 other rows to begin with, but these two I'm showing are the ones we do the whole afghan.)

Sec. row: Ch1, turn, working in both loops, sc in first sc, (dc. in next Dc, sc in next sc) across.

**SewCrafty** · 11-07-2003, 06:52 PM

Okay give me a few minutes.

**mrscornbread** · 11-07-2003, 06:59 PM

Cj...if you are working in back loops only, you should have an obvious line, right Diana?

**homesteadmamma** · 11-07-2003, 07:03 PM

Robin, yes I do, but when I get to the end, it all looks the same. So where I need help is when I come to a more difficult pattern, how to count the rows, kwim.

**mrscornbread** · 11-07-2003, 07:06 PM

does that line not go all the way to the end, or are you asking how to count rows made up when using different stitches?

**homesteadmamma** · 11-07-2003, 07:09 PM

Yes, thats what I'm asking. I don't have a clue as to how to do it when I have different patterns.

Heck, the first 2 rows before this pattern, look exactly the same to me!!!

**SewCrafty** · 11-07-2003, 07:19 PM

Okay, I'm guessing by your pattern that this is the right side of it.

See the ridges? In between those are 2 rows.

Does that help?

Btw- I like this pattern!

Another simple one I use all the time is:

Chain a multiple of 2 stitches + 1 (i.e. 100 sts + 1)

Row 1 - Sc in first chain, dc in second chain, *sc in next chain, dc in next ch* Repeat between * * across row. Ch 1 turn.

Row 2 - Sc in the top of previous dc, dc in top of previous sc across row. Ch 1 turn.

Rows 3 and beyond - Repeat Row 2 until desired length is reached.

This makes a slightly lacey pattern and is real easy to remember.

**SewCrafty** · 11-07-2003, 07:30 PM

Okay here are some examples:

This is the Shell Stitch or Fan Stitch.

The easiest way to count rows on this one is to start with a fan - row 1 then go one fan left (or right) this is row 2.

In other words the fan directly on top of another fan is actually 2 rows away (i.e. row 1, the fan directly on top of it is row 3)

**SewCrafty** · 11-07-2003, 07:34 PM

This one is Double Crochet.

This is a border I worked around a blanket. It is pretty old!

See the bands in between the holes? The stitches kind of go in one direction then in the other on the next row.

There are 3 rows on each band around the blanket then a 'holey' row.. etc.....