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...size doesn't matter, right?
Feb. 21st, 2012 12:35 pmGauge (n): 1: a measurement (as of linear dimension) according to some standard or system, as e.g. the fineness of a knitted fabric expressed by the number of loops per unit width; 2: a complete and utter pain in the ass
Gauge, in a knitted or crocheted object, has varying amounts of importance. It is the number of (horizontal) stitches per inch and (vertical) rows per inch, and if one is making, say, a sweater, one must pay attention to gauge so that you do not end up with either a tent or a doll-sized sweater. If the fabric is suitably stretchy, or does not need to fit precisely, one needn't be quite as stressed about matching gauge as one would otherwise.
In practicing crochet (both normal and Tunisian), I have chosen to work on dishcloth-type objects, for several reasons. For one thing, gauge is not all that important, because it doesn't need to fit anything; for another, they are relatively small, and do not entail as much commitment as other equally-gauge-relaxed items like scarves and blankets.
So I am blissfully going along with a new (tunisian) project, and it says to chain 41 with a size H hook. Being lazy, and unconcerned about gauge, I used the hook that I had been using for the tunisian practice swatch (which had been done with the same yarn). And I chain, counting very carefully; and then I go through and pick up loops for the forward pass; and then I go through and do the return pass.
About 2/3 of the way through, it occurs to me that it is really freaking long.
With a growing sense of dread, I hold the mostly-complete first row up against a convenient piece of paper.
The first row is longer.
Than the long side.
...so, I have a one-row strip of tunisian crochet that is over a foot long, which seems a tiny bit ridiculous; and I am trying to decide whether to:
1) keep going. gauge is not important, and never mind that it is about half again as big as it "should" be;
2) rip, and re-do with the designated hook (which is about 1mm smaller than the one that's out right now;
3) rip, rewrite the pattern to fit over 31 instead of 41 stitches, and keep the same hook;
4) give up and huddle under the desk because GAUGE IS HRAD ;_;
Sadly, right now, #4 is winning >_>
Gauge, in a knitted or crocheted object, has varying amounts of importance. It is the number of (horizontal) stitches per inch and (vertical) rows per inch, and if one is making, say, a sweater, one must pay attention to gauge so that you do not end up with either a tent or a doll-sized sweater. If the fabric is suitably stretchy, or does not need to fit precisely, one needn't be quite as stressed about matching gauge as one would otherwise.
In practicing crochet (both normal and Tunisian), I have chosen to work on dishcloth-type objects, for several reasons. For one thing, gauge is not all that important, because it doesn't need to fit anything; for another, they are relatively small, and do not entail as much commitment as other equally-gauge-relaxed items like scarves and blankets.
So I am blissfully going along with a new (tunisian) project, and it says to chain 41 with a size H hook. Being lazy, and unconcerned about gauge, I used the hook that I had been using for the tunisian practice swatch (which had been done with the same yarn). And I chain, counting very carefully; and then I go through and pick up loops for the forward pass; and then I go through and do the return pass.
About 2/3 of the way through, it occurs to me that it is really freaking long.
With a growing sense of dread, I hold the mostly-complete first row up against a convenient piece of paper.
The first row is longer.
Than the long side.
...so, I have a one-row strip of tunisian crochet that is over a foot long, which seems a tiny bit ridiculous; and I am trying to decide whether to:
1) keep going. gauge is not important, and never mind that it is about half again as big as it "should" be;
2) rip, and re-do with the designated hook (which is about 1mm smaller than the one that's out right now;
3) rip, rewrite the pattern to fit over 31 instead of 41 stitches, and keep the same hook;
4) give up and huddle under the desk because GAUGE IS HRAD ;_;
Sadly, right now, #4 is winning >_>