Thursday, February 27, 2014

Discussion of Gauge in Response to Etsy Review

Review:


The Open Weave - Crochet Pattern

I really like this pattern, however I had several issues with it. First off, I was never able to get my gauge correct. The pattern itself calls for a H (5mm) hook for a 22" head hat and to go up 1 hook size for a larger 23" hat. However even with a K (6.5mm) hook, my measurements were still coming out too small for the 22" size hat. I restarted the pattern about half a dozen times before just finally seeing what would happen using the K hook. I wanted to make a large hat, and with the K hook, I was successful, however the hat was way too short. I ended up adding 7 more rows to the hat, rows 12-18 to continue the pattern, which fit 3 men with heads 23-24" perfectly. The pattern is definitely not a beginner pattern. However, even with these issues I plan on buying more of this seller's patterns.

Response:


I respond to this review here ONLY due to the fact that many of the issues stated above are NOT TYPICAL, logical, or explained fully and properly.

The instructions regarding sizing clearly state:

“Follow the gauge to create a Medium beanie. To create a Large or Small size, find the correct size
hook that allows you to meet the gauge for a Medium. Then proceed with the suggestions listed
below. Take note that additional rounds past round 25 will degrade the symmetry of the design
slightly, but may be necessary for attaining the proper length. However, it is highly recommended
to create through round 25 with wool fiber content and block to length. ”

Below this explanation in the pattern is the recommendation to increase a hook size for a Large hat or decrease the hook size for a Small hat. So that would necessitate starting with a 5.0mm hook as I use, moving up to a 5.5mm, 6.0mm and 6.5mm, if necessary.

From what I have read in this review, a Large hat (23” to 24” head circumference) was created with a 6.5mm hook, BUT the gauge could not be met for a Medium sized hat. I cannot understand how this is possible. This is simply conflicting with the logic of sizing and measurement. I do not understand this statement in any way.

(Negating the above results and assuming ONLY that a Large sized hat was created in a the typical fashion of meeting Medium gauge and proceeding, I will continue my discussion.)

With this information of success to create a Large hat with a 6.5mm hook, it seems quite proper and obvious to infer that the Medium gauge could be achieved properly with a 6.0mm hook. With a simple count, this would mean that three trial efforts (5mm, 5.5mm and 6.0mm hooks) were necessary and a fourth try (6.5mm hook) produced the desired Large size hat. Therefore, I cannot understand why it was necessary to restart this hat around 6 times. And I can in no way understand the additional problem with length - 7 additional rounds needed. It may be explained in my discussion below of stitch size.

The diameter of the shaft of the hook is meant to create loops that closely match that of the hook. It creates the same size loop time and time again through the project. This is the exact and only reason that different hook sizes have a different shank diameter – to create different sized loops. However, if yarn tension created by the non-working hand is high, the hook size becomes irrelevant as all hooks taper down to the actual hook (i.e. loops become smaller than the hook shank diameter and therefore do not have much or any relation to the hook size with which they were created.) Practice is the key to achieve properly sized stitches in which the hook truly dictates the size of the stitch. And as can be gleaned from the explanation above, proper yarn tension is of utmost importance to achieve this very key aspect of stitch sizing.

Also, this is a Beginner rated pattern, and it is properly rated. As shown in the pattern skill level description below, this is a statement that moderate skill is needed to understand and complete this pattern. This probably means at least 6 months of consistent practice, but obviously depends on the specific artist. I rate myself as an Expert - not on this scale. Only Half double crochet, Front post half double crochet, and Back post half double crochet stitches are necessary to complete this hat.



SKILL LEVEL: Beginner (Easy, Beginner, Intermediate, Experienced)

Friday, October 25, 2013

A Special Interview and Bio with Illuminate Crochet

Sara Leighton, running the Illuminate Crochet blog, provided my the great opportunity to be her Friday Focus today. You can go ahead and navigate to Illuminate Crochet and check out the article and the many other great things she has to offer. Thanks Sara!

Thursday, September 5, 2013

HAT PATTERNS - CURRENTLY FOR SALE

OR
THE SCOTLAND
(Intermediate-Experienced)









THE OPEN WEAVE
(Beginner)









THE OPEN WEAVE c1
(Intermediate-Experienced)






THE ZIG
(Beginner-Intermediate)






THE NESTED DIAMOND
(Intermediate-Experienced)






THE STACKED LARGE DIAMOND
(Intermediate-Experienced)






THE TRIPLE RIBBED LARGE DIAMOND
(Beginner-Intermediate)





THE LARGE DIAMOND - EC
(Beginner-Intermediate)






THE 6-WIDE CONCENTRIC LD
(Beginner-Intermediate)






THE NESTED CABLE
(Beginner-Intermediate)



Tuesday, August 17, 2010

A Guide: Picking out Worsted Weight Yarn

Picking the right yarn can be a bit difficult sometimes. The yarns can be listed as the same weight but stitch up differently, and worst of all, some manufacturers do not even attempt to give you the weight of the yarn that they sell. Also, the gauge that is usually provided on all labels to provide stitches per inch for the yarn is not consistent for yarns listed as the same weight.

Here are a few guidelines :

Try to pick a yarn that is listed as a 4 weight (medium). This designation is usually only listed on the labels of large yarn manufacturers.

Sometimes worsted is not used in countries other than the US. In this case Aran weight is very similar to worsted, so that would be your best bet. DK weight will be too thin and is designated as a 3 weight (light).

To really pin it down, try to match the typical mass to yardage for the worsted weight yarn I use quite often. The ratios are shown below:

- Wool {100g for 205m}
- Merino Wool (Frog Tree Melange) {100g for 185m}
- Merino Cashmere Blend (approximately 15% Cashmere) {100g to 200m}

This is a reasonable guide, but sometimes the yarn weight works out to be off. As you try out new yarns take note of how they stitch up and keep the labels to reference and compare with new yarns with a yet to be determined weight.


Much thanks to Emanation from Hay on Wye, Wales for inspiring this guide.

Tuesday, February 23, 2010

Words of my Favorite Poet

"...repetition is the father of learning..."