Crochet 101: How to check Gauge

 

 Crochet 101: How to check your Gauge

You might be wondering, "What do these pattern writers mean when they say, 'Check your gauge!'?". Gauge is oh so very important!!! It might seem like a waste of time. Who really wants to crochet rows then rip it out when there is a really cool pattern you just can't wait to complete sitting right in front of you? I know when I first started, I didn't want to wait. Then I learned that spending the 5 minutes (or less) needed to check gauge was much better than spending an hour on your project then having to rip it out because it's too 2 sizes too small to fit on the pestering anxiously waiting 3 year old.

So what is gauge? Your gauge is how tight or loose you crochet. Gauge varies from person to person and it may vary for you from day to day. If I am really frustrated, I crochet tighter. So make sure you check before you start any pattern.

Let's say the pattern says the following:

With Worsted Weight yarn, using H hook, 10 SC=3 inches.

That means that with your H hook, in 3 inches you should have 10 SC.

To check:

Chain a length at least 2-4 stitches longer than the gauge indicates with the hook and yarn recommended. In this case I would Chain 13 with my H hook and worsted weight yarn.

Chain 13

Single crochet in the second chain from the hook and in each chain across. Chain 1, turn your work. (12 sc total)

The second ch is not the one closest to the hook, but 1 more over.

Chain across

 Single Crochet in each stitch across. Chain 1, Turn. (12 sc total) Repeat this row 1 or 2 more times.

Chain 1, turn.

Sc across.

Take your tape measure and measure 3 inches. If there are 10 stitches and only 10 stitches, you have the correct gauge!

Exactly 10 stitches! Correct!

 
If you have more, go up a hook size and repeat the checking process.

Way more than 10 stitches. WRONG!

If you have less, go down a hook size and repeat the process.

Way less than 10 stitches. WRONG!

When you get your gauge right, you are done! Now rip it out and start your really cool pattern!

Crochet 101, Making a Basic Hat with photos

 Crochet 101- Making a basic hat

In this post I am going to show you how to make a basic hat. If you have any questions, please email me at jaimeddesigns at hotmail.com
 
Ch- Chain
SC- Single Crochet
HDC- Half Double Crochet
Slst- Slip Stitch

Materials:
I hook
Yarn Needle

Before you begin, make sure your gauge matches the gauge given in the pattern. To learn about checking you gauge, refer to this post written specifically for it.

Gauge:
12 HDC = 4 inches.

The first few rounds of most hat patterns are called increase rounds. You are increasing your number of stitches so that it will be the diameter you need to fit the size head you want. At the end of your increase rounds you will have a flat circle. Not until you get to the lengthening rounds will it start looking like a hat.


Increase Rounds:
Chain 4 and slst to join. If you know how to do a Magic Circle, start with that. I will try to add a video tutorial of this at a later date.

Chain 4

Slst to join

Round 1: Ch 1, 6 HDC inside the ring, (not each chain, but inside the circle that the chain makes), slst to the first HDC to join. (6)

6HDC in the circle/ring

Round 2: Ch 1, 2 HDC in joining space and in each stitch around, slst to the first HDC to join. (12)

Ch 1

Through round 2.

Round 3: Ch1, HDC in joining space, 2 HDC in next. *HDC in next stitch, 2HDC in next.** Repeat from * to **, slst to the first HDC to join. (18)

Round 4: Ch1, HDC in joining space, HDC in next, 2 HDC in next. *HDC in next 2 stitches, 2HDC in next.** Repeat from * to **, slst to the first HDC to join. (24)

Round 5: Ch1, HDC in joining space, HDC in next 2, 2 HDC in next. *HDC in next 3 stitches, 2HDC in next.** Repeat from * to **, slst to the first HDC to join. (30) Stop here for Newborn Size. Skip down to lengthening rounds.

Round 6: Ch1, HDC in joining space, HDC in next 3, 2 HDC in next. *HDC in next 4 stitches, 2HDC in next.** Repeat from * to **, slst to the first HDC to join. (36) Stop here for 3-6 Month Size. Skip down to lengthening rounds.

Round 7: Ch1, HDC in joining space, HDC in next 4, 2 HDC in next. *HDC in next 5 stitches, 2HDC in next.** Repeat from * to **, slst to the first HDC to join. (42) Stop here for 6-12 Month Size. Skip down to lengthening rounds.

Round 8: Ch1, HDC in joining space, HDC in next 5, 2 HDC in next. *HDC in next 6 stitches, 2HDC in next.** Repeat from * to **, slst to the first HDC to join. (48) Stop here for Toddler Size. Skip down to lengthening rounds.

Round 9: Ch1, HDC in joining space, HDC in next 6, 2 HDC in next. *HDC in next 7 stitches, 2HDC in next.** Repeat from * to **, slst to the first HDC to join. (54) Stop here for Child Size. Skip down to lengthening rounds.

Round 10: Ch1, HDC in joining space, HDC in next 7, 2 HDC in next. *HDC in next 8 stitches, 2HDC in next.** Repeat from * to **, slst to the first HDC to join. (60) Stop here for Adult Size. Skip down to lengthening rounds.

Lengthening rounds:

OPTIONAL! From this point you could measure across your circle. Now you have to use MATH! Take the measurement across the middle (diameter) of your hat, in this example it is 4 inches, multiply that number by 3.14.

4 x 3.14= 12.56 (rounded to 12.5)

This hat will fit a newborn perfectly.

Ch 1, HDC in each HDC around. Join with a slst to the first HDC. Repeat for as many rows as needed until your hat measures the length needed for the size you are making.

See the hat beginning to take shape?

You can stop after you get to the target length or you can put a nice single crochet border around the edge to finish it off. If you would like to do this, continue on to the border round. Measure the height of your hat by laying it flat, starting at the top measuring down to the bottom.

Border round:
Ch 1, SC in each HDC around. Join with a slst to the first SC.

 Finishing Off:
To finish off your project, cut the yarn about 4 inches from your hook and pull the loop until your yarn is released and you are just left with a tail. The photo below shows what it will look like when you pull the tail tight.

With your yearn needle, thread the yarn in through the eye of the needle, and weave in the end of your yarn up towards the top of the hat. I find that when I weave sideways it can pull out becasue the hats do stretch, so I thread up.

And there you have it! A basic hat! Congratulations!

If you have any questions or if there are other tutorials you would like to see, comment below or email me at jaimeddesigns (at) hotmail (dot) com

Knit-Not Poof Beanie pre-sale and GIVEAWAY!

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