not all yarn sizes are created equal....My bad experience substituting yarn has become a lesson learned.

I really liked this new yarn by Caron up until I found out that it is not really the size it claims to be.  It's making things shrink. Here's what I mean....I am working on an adorable baby sweater. I measured the gauge to be o.k. Now unless I measured wrong this sweater shrunk!

The pattern calls for DK weight. The yarn I bought says it's DK. After doing a little math to compare yards per ounce it seems there is a difference between the weight of the yarn called for in the pattern and the weight of my yarn, even though they are both supposed to be DK. I was getting so frustrated until I realized that it's a breakthrough in disguise. This ordeal explains some of my many inconsistencies in results after substituting yarn.

Here's a sample botched substitute:

Redheart, Loops&Threads, ICE (left to right)

The pattern calls for a yarn category 4-medium weight (70 yd per oz according to my calculation)

I tried three different category 4-medium yarns (out of pure excitement). I tried 1) ICE spiral blend 80 yd per oz, and 2) Redheart super saver 52 yd per oz, then 3) Loops & threads impeccable 61 yd per oz

THE RESULTS: 3 different size booties

MY FINAL MEASUREMENTS: 1) 3.5 inches, 2) 4 inches, 3) 4 inches

Next time I work on a pattern that calls for a particular yarn I'll just compare the yards per ounce before I choose which yarn to use.

1. Setup a list of current projects

If you find yourself starting a new project over and over without completing the one before you are not alone.  It's my favorite thing to do.  I can share with you 2 ways I've just learned to keep from doing this.  I have incomplete crochet projects scattered all around my house. Maybe it's just boredom or 'out with the old in with the new' syndrome. Whatever the case I have started to see a couple of ways around this habit.  First I set up a list of recent projects to document which projects that I am working on. This way I can log my progress and stay on track to get at least one of the projects completed.

2. Visualize the finished work

Secondly, I keep looking at the picture of the final project, thus creating a visual goal to keep in mind.  More on this later.  Hope this helps.

If your crochet work will have integrity this requires the spirit of patience.  Rushing does not allow for any mistakes.  Avoid it at all cost.  In the midst of your work stop and check the number and type of stitches as you go along. This is one way of quality checking your work. Otherwise, in your rush to get done mistakes will lie hidden throughout your finished piece.  I've found my share so far.

On a lighter note, crochet as an art is very forgiving, We do learn from our mistakes.  Sometimes through  mistakes you discover something creative...wow! (written 4/5/11)

Book source:  Crochet So Fine

Today I found that I could actually work on a large project without giving up the same day that I started it!  It's a pattern for a lace sweater wrap.  I will admit that since I set out on this crochet journey it has taken me a solid month to put my hands to the test in a large project.  Putting it off, I would always choose a much smaller project.  A month ago I saw the model photo of the sweater and right away knew that this was a design that I wanted to tackle.

Here are the benefits I have discovered so far from this large work: 1) more focus / fewer distractions, 2) the scratch for my itch for complexity and challenge, 3) my piece / my peace :-), 4) wild urges for immediate results is tamed and patience takes over. (written 3/31/11)

Watch out, beginners,  for those mitten patterns where you end up with something that looks like a handcast! They may look really cute in the pattern photo, but in real life not so cute at all. Ugh!
It's happened to me over and over.  As I mentioned in yesterday's post, pattern images inspire me.  So I fall for the image first, not realizing that it's not the best choice. If you are making mittens as a gift for someone maybe you can try a few rows to test the look and feel first, especially before you fasten off.

Scarf A with 4mm hook (left) & Scarf A with 6mm hook (right)

My helpful lesson of the moment about choosing hook sizes:  choose the one that gives the best quality work. Scarf A is what I am crocheting at the moment using Simply Soft yarn. Scarf B, a work in very slow progress, was crocheted with RH Super Saver...  How was scarf B so much softer than scarf A?  To find out the answer go to my page Lessons Learned: Hooks, gauge, and yarns

Scarf B with 8mm hook