Monday, December 15, 2008

IT'S YOUR DESIGN, SO WHAT'S THE GAUGE?

We have customers who would like to knit or crochet, let's say, a shawl, and either has a certain pattern or their going to design their own. How do you know the gauge?

If you are buying a published shawl pattern, then of course, you're going to follow the directions. But let's say you like the pattern, but it's too tight OR you want to design your own, using one of the ga-zillion type of "patterns" that are out there!

Start with a swatch in either knit or crochet and whatever size hook or needle chosen. Stitch for several rows and if you are not sure that this is the size you like DO NOT TEAR OUT THE ROWS. WHY?

Example: You knitted or crocheted with size "x" needle/hook for 3 inches. Place either a split marker or a paper clip at the end of the row. Now, knit or crochet using a needle/hook that is either smaller or larger (whichever way you want to go). Now you know what both samples look like! If you had taken out the swatch and started over, you probably would not have remember what it looked like and now you do.

This makes your decision making a lot easier. The gauge may not be important in this particular case, providing you have enough yarn! Sometimes all you need is what is pleasing to YOUR eye, because it's your design!

Happy Stitching, my friends!

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