Getting Gauge

[joyousday]

Oh goodness - I just read about the gauge. I didn't check it; on other projects I have checked my gauge and I am spot on. Now I am nervous that I won't have enough yarn. I need to be careful how much yarn I use when I CO and how much I leave when I BO. Hopefully I will be okay.

[YarnYenta]

Hi
I am getting gauge of 16 sts in 4" on size 7 I wasn't sure if I should keep going down a needle size until I get the correct gauge how small do you go? Is there a way to adjust the gauge I am getting to fit the dimensions of the motifs.

[Shandeh]

Hi
I am getting gauge of 16 sts in 4" on size 7 I wasn't sure if I should keep going down a needle size until I get the correct gauge how small do you go? Is there a way to adjust the gauge I am getting to fit the dimensions of the motifs.

Are you using a worsted weight yarn?
Waverly is worsted (aran) weight, so you should use a similar yarn.

[YarnYenta]

Yes I am using a worsted weight yarn I just tend to be a loose knitter. So should I just keep using a smaller needle to reach the correct gauge? I could end up on a needle as small as a 4 which seems so small that is why I was wondering if there was another way to adjust using the gauge I'm getting with the size 7

[Shandeh]

Yes I am using a worsted weight yarn I just tend to be a loose knitter. So should I just keep using a smaller needle to reach the correct gauge? I could end up on a needle as small as a 4 which seems so small that is why I was wondering if there was another way to adjust using the gauge I'm getting with the size 7

You can keep trying smaller needles, or you can just buy extra yarn, and make a larger blanket.

[ellafricka]

Ok I have no idea if I did this right (I've never done a gauge swatch before).
So I used the Bernat guidelines, which say to do 14 across (and then measure from the middle 12)
I kept increasing my hook size until I could fit what I did into a square I drew on the cardboard (4x4) and then pinned it into place (assuming if it was for the CAL I would then spray with water and allow to dry to "block"). I have to admit it is pulled a little tight, and am wondering if I possibly need to go up another hook size? (currently using size J)
Thanks for any help/advice. I want to make sure this works out well, and am a little sad that this is my first time testing gauge and it clearly isn't working out well...

[alecsandra]

I guess I crochet very loosely because the H hook swatch was 4 1/4 in across and the G hook swatch was a smidgen under 4 inches. I am thinking I will use the H hook and consciously crochet tighter. Now that I think about it, this must be why when I have made slippers they are always larger than expected. I have arthritis in my hands and crocheting looser is just easier for me but I will make it all work out somehow.

Sande

[Shandeh]

Ok I have no idea if I did this right (I've never done a gauge swatch before).
So I used the Bernat guidelines, which say to do 14 across (and then measure from the middle 12)
I kept increasing my hook size until I could fit what I did into a square I drew on the cardboard (4x4) and then pinned it into place (assuming if it was for the CAL I would then spray with water and allow to dry to "block"). I have to admit it is pulled a little tight, and am wondering if I possibly need to go up another hook size? (currently using size J)
Thanks for any help/advice. I want to make sure this works out well, and am a little sad that this is my first time testing gauge and it clearly isn't working out well...

The gauge swatch should not be stretched for measuring. It should be laid flat on a table, and allowed to rest naturally. The ruler is then placed gently on top of the swatch to measure it. You should probably use a larger hook. Good luck!

[ellafricka]

The gauge swatch should not be stretched for measuring. It should be laid flat on a table, and allowed to rest naturally. The ruler is then placed gently on top of the swatch to measure it. You should probably use a larger hook. Good luck!

Ok... so I tried a K hook and it was still too small (only hitting 3.5" across)... tried a plastic L hook (didn't have a metal one) and it was too big... I'm going to buy a metal L hook tonight and hopefully that will solve the problem... otherwise I guess I'll go big rather than small, and pray if I need extra wool that the dye-lot will just mesh. I'll post pics when I do the swatch with metal L and get your opinion again. Does it sound ridiculous that I would be using such a big hook for 12 stitches? I mean, as long as I'm getting gauge I guess that's all that matters, but why is my crocheting requiring a hook 4 sizes bigger than recommended?

[ellafricka]

Ok so I ran out and bought a size N (9.0mm) metal hook because I couldn't find an L... low and behold, I hit gauge! Still quite skeptical because of how large of a hook I'm using... here's a pic of the swatch I did, not pulled at all, just pinned into place (onto a pencil square I measured beforehand)
Any feedback would be appreciated... also, since the ch3 count as the first DC, does this look right (I mean, it's a little "bubbly" at the sides...)