GAUGING A SWATCH

This is going to be short and to the point:
When making a gauge it's important that you gauge with the same needles that you are going to knit with or crochet.
Why? Remember a few blogs ago, where I stated that you can't start knitting with brand X and change to brand Y? The same holds true for a gauge. If you're knitting or crocheting with brand X, then you CAN'T gauge with brand Y because they happen to be available to you at the time. If you're at a shop and you're going to use the shop's needles or hook, just make sure they are the same needles or hook you're going to stitch with!!! The difference between brands may be minimal, but it may be a difference of a half of a stitch which may throw your whole gauge off!!
Just be careful!!!!!
HAPPY STITCHING, my friends!!

Project Yarn VS Play Yarn

Have I got you altogether confused? Well, read on!!

A customer came in and she was having trouble reading her crochet pattern AS WELL AS crocheting with the yarn that it called for.

Since the yarn she was using was a ribbon yarn - ZEN from Berroco Inc., I showed her the stitch that she was having some problems with in another yarn so she could see it better.

So, what's the solution: You're not sure how to stitch this project and the yarn that you're using is beautiful, but it's giving you some trouble. Take some scrap yarn, preferably worsted weight and a light color, and try the pattern. It's easier when you can see exactly what you're doing!! Then when you have it down pat, then go back to the original yarn. If you can see it with "normal" yarn, then you'll understand better with your fancy yarn!!

HAPPY STITCHING, my friends!