Crochet World – August 2019

AUGUST 2019 CROCHET-WORLD.COM Crochet World 15

There is another clue about the yarn’s thickness that is
contained in the actual weight and length of the yarn
in your ball or skein. The materials box tells you this Red
Heart yarn weighs 31/2 oz and has 190 yards of yarn.
Look at the label on the skein you intend to use for the
project: If it weighs 31/2 oz and has similar yardage, it’s a
worsted-weight yarn. If it weighs the same but has con-
siderably more yardage, it is a thinner yarn.

Another thing to note about yarn is its fiber content.
Acrylic does not respond the same way as does cot-
ton, and neither works the same as wool. For example,
the latter two natural fibers are more likely to stretch
out over time. Each fiber has its own characteristics,
and understanding this is a matter of experience.

Continuing on, we see that a size H/8/5mm hook is
specified, and the statement that gauge is not impor-
tant in this project. This means that you don’t have to
hit gauge precisely, because the finished size can vary.
But gauge is also a determinant of the density of your
stitches. Many disappointments come because people
have worked way too tightly or loosely, and even
though the size of the finished piece doesn’t matter,
the look of the stitches does. While this project speci-
fies an H hook, remember, this is only a suggestion.
Everyone crochets at a different tension. Therefore, I
recommend swatching first until you get a gauge that
looks pleasing with the yarn you’ve selected. Start with
the H hook, but if your stitches look limp, try a smaller
hook instead. If, on the other hand, your stitches look
bunchy or squished, try a larger hook next.

Do go through the remaining materials needed
and make sure you can easily obtain any that you’re
missing. Are we done yet? Nope! Let’s take a look at
the Pattern Notes. Their purpose is to give instructions
that pertain throughout the pattern, so you really
don’t want to skip this part—for example, the instruc-
tion that says NOT to join rounds at the end, and the
note after that, which tells you how to join when the
pattern tells you to. Pretty crucial stuff, right?

Earlier I mentioned the importance of knowing

what’s coming technically. Simply continue with

your pattern review by reading through ALL of the

pattern’s instructions. This easy pattern, for example,

requires you to work the first round over a slip ring—

have you done that before?

Luckily there is an illustration showing you how. In

fact, everything you need to know is supplied in this

pattern, step by step, and it’s always wise to check if

that’s the case with any pattern you decide to tackle.

If you have doubts about any of the techniques used

in a pattern, see if you can find instructions in a book

or online that explain them in greater depth, or take

a class on the technique and save the pattern for

another day.

Are you convinced yet? If you want to avoid the sink-

ing feeling one gets with a half-done project that’s

not working out, study the pattern carefully before

you pick up your hook. Don’t shed your excitement

when beginning a new project, but temper it so that

you are well armed with all your tools and materials

and feel confident about what the pattern demands

and how well it’s explained. Once you’ve done that,

you can dive in without worries and end up with a

finished piece that’s just what you had envisioned

when you got excited in the first place!

Editor’s Note: If you missed this fun pattern featured

in the June 2018 issue, go to AnniesCraftStore.com and

search for Turtle Shell Game. CW

Slip Ring

Leave ring

loose until

stitches are

made.

4" end

PATTERN NOTES

Weave in loose ends as work progresses.

Do not join rounds unless otherwise stated.

Place stitch marker at beginning of rounds

and move up as each round is competed.

Join with slip stitch as indicated unless

otherwise stated.