Simple Crochet Tips for Choosing the Right Yarn
When you walk into a store that sells yarn, you might first notice the vast array of colors. But look more closely. Picking the color is just one choice you make when you pick the yarn.
First of all, all yarn is described by its weight. And there are a number of different weights, from super fine, which includes baby, sock and fingering yarns, through super bulky, which includes bulky and roving yarns. If your pattern calls for one type of yarn and you want to use another, you need to be aware that the size will vary. This may not be too consequential for a simple crochet scarf or a blanket, but it could ruin the fit of a hat or sweater.
That’s not to say that you can’t use another kind of yarn. But you will need to use some common sense before you proceed. Think of your favorite big, bulky sweater. You wouldn’t crochet a pair of baby booties out of the same yarn, would you? But maybe you would choose a bulkier yarn for a sweater than the pattern describes. There is a solution for that. You need to crochet yourself a swatch to judge the gauge. Once you have made a swatch that is a couple of inches square, measure it. You will see how many stitches you have made for each inch across and how many rows you have made for each inch up and down. Then you can convert that information to the gauge given in the pattern. And you will need to continue to convert your gauge to the pattern’s gauge as you work your way through the pattern. Now, maybe you don’t mind doing all that math. But it would make a math-challenged person like me decide to choose the yarn the pattern suggests! I prefer simple crochet. Advanced math crochet won’t do.
Once you have the weight determined, there are other things you need to think about when choosing your yarn. Some of the loveliest yarns are made of natural animal fibers like mohair, wool, cashmere and alpaca or natural plant fibers like cotton. Those types of yarn are wonderful to crochet with because holding the yarn and working with it is so pleasant. They also make a wonderful, quality finished product. Unfortunately, they often need to be dry cleaned. That can be a concern depending on the product you are making. You would definitely want to choose a machine washable yarn for baby blankets, kids’ sweaters, socks and other garments. But those dry-cleanable natural yarns could be a good choice for a lovely sweater for an adult.
There is a lot that goes into choosing a yarn than picking your favorite color. And a bad choice of yarn can ruin a simple crochet project. But an appropriate choice can yield you a high quality finished product.
Check out the latest in crochet fashion:
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Lime & Violet’s Daily Chum – On Oct-8-2008 Reported by TNTknits Sweater of the Week: Dr.
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Crochet Fashion in the News – Here is a video from ABC that talks about “new” crochet fashion for the fall/winter. The pull tab bags remind me of my City Hat with Brim Crochet Pattern, since it uses pull tabs as well. The jewelery is pretty neat and gets me thinking …