Dear ELK Studio – A Crochet Column #1

Here is our first Dear ELK Studio crochet column!  I’m so excited to have such a wonderful team of contributors to help me with this column.  If you would like to learn more about them, read the Contributor’s page.  Be sure to fill out the form at the end of the page to submit any crochet/business related question you may have too!  Enjoy!

Dear ELK STUDIO,
I have lost my faith in the “gauge”. After making swatch after swatch to get the desired gauge, changing out yarn and hooks, (as well as pulling out a few hairs), and then making the item only for it to be the wrong size. By the way, this happened while making hats and slippers. Can you lead me back to the swatch path?

Dear FAITHLESS,
I am so in tune with the gauge issue, it truly hurts. A fitted garment will not, if the person following the pattern is not able to make the right number of stitches fit in the prescribed space.
Some basic guidelines would include:

1) Start with the same yarn, and hook as the pattern writer.
2) Create your swatch at least 5 stitches wider than the gauge given.
3) Work 3 rows more than the gauge given
4) Measure the center of the swatch, NEVER check from the edges.

A beginning row, or turning chain will always be a more controlled stitch, almost certain to be different from the stitches you create when you are comfortably hooking along. When the measurements are obtained from the center of your work, it is true to how this hook, and this yarn are going to perform for you.

If you have even a half stitch variance, your fitted garment will be off. too many stitches, try a larger hook, or a yarn just a bit thicker, not enough stitches, a smaller hook, or maybe the yarn is too coarse.

It is also possible that your level of freshness can affect the way you work your project. Quality work requires that all the components be the best suited to the goal. If you are stressed or tired, your work will suffer.

 

Dear ELK STUDIO,
When I spend more than an hour on a project at a time my hands and arms get tired and sore. What are some of your favorite stretches or exercises for hookers?

Dear TIRED AND SORE,
The exercises I do regularly for wrist fatigue and pain are the wrist extensor stretch and the wrist flexor stretch. I also do an overhead stretch – it seems to help release some the tension in my shoulders and ease my arm and wrist fatigue as well. Here is a blog post written by Kara from Petals to Picots that may help you too.  

 

Dear ELK STUDIO,
What’s the best yarn to use in the summer?

Dear CURIOUS,
For garments, I like light weight, plant-based fibers, like DK-weight cotton and cotton blends. Cotton breathes and absorbs moisture. You might even be able to get away with a worsted weight cotton if you use a lacy stitch pattern. Other plant-based fibers include hemp (blends are softer than straight hemp), bamboo, and linen.

 

Dear ELK STUDIO,
What’s the best/easiest way to join granny squares?

Dear GRANNY SQUARE,
There are several ways to join Granny Squares. Below are 4 of the most popular and links to tutorials… Each method offers a different look and which ever method you choose… Your afghan will look great! Here are some links that may help you better understand the different methods. Join as you go,  Fancy joins such as Flat Braid Method,  Whip Stitch squares together,  (My favorite method to join quickly and efficiently)~ Single Crochet Join.  

 

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