One Square Three Ways

Does Size Matter?

It's an age old question, and in crochet (as in many other hobbies - wink, wink) the answer is YES!

How much it matters (I'm talking about crochet now) is quite surprising.  I don't make a lot of things that have to fit - so for most of my work I get by without making a gauge swatch.  Should I do it more often? - probably, but when you're making things like shawls, hats and mitts there's really no need.

There have been times, where in order to have something come out the way the pattern says it will, I've taken the time to swatch.  Certainly it can save anguish in the long run, as nothing is more aggravating than spending countless hours on a garment only to find it doesn't fit (you, the person you're making it for, or anyone you'd even consider giving it to).  Plus it helps you get to know the pattern you're going to be using.  Let's face it, some patterns look good on paper, but when you spend some time with them you find out that you don't like them nearly as much as you thought you would.

If you're a swatcher (occasionally or otherwise), you've experienced the impact that hook size has.  It's generally not dramatic, but when worked over a number of rows you can see how much a difference it makes.

So what happens when you change hook size and yarn thickness?  Well obviously you're going to get pieces that are different sizes.  What's surprising is how significantly different the sizes are.

Take a look at these squares.  I'm making a throw with this pattern and was trying to decide what kind of yarn to use.  It calls for dk/sport acrylic,  but I was leaning toward worsted cotton.  I made one of each.  I liked the way the cotton felt, but the baby soft  acrylic had more stitch definition.  If I used the cotton, I wouldn't have to make as many squares, but in the end I decided on the dk/sport. 

I had no idea that there would be such a big variance in the size of the squares.  Two inches is a lot, especially if you consider that there's only .75mm difference in the hook sizes.  I'm not sure how much thicker the worsted yarn is, but I imagine it's 1mm or less.  I'm a nerd at heart, and I'm partial to math and the role that it plays in crochet.  That means that I had to see what would happen if I made the same square out of thread!  This time I knew that the difference would be much greater, but how much?  As you can see it's half the size of the dk/sport square.  Now my love of math is elementary, so figuring out what yarn thickness, coupled with which hook size produces stitches that will make squares of what size is way beyond me.  What I do know is size matters.  And the only way to definitively know how big (or little) your square is going to be is to grab your supplies and get hooking!

I hope that you enjoyed my little foray into size, swatching and squares!  Thanks so much for stopping by and spending a bit of your day with me.
Until next time friends,
Be blessed and stitch & read with love!