Expert: Frances Rhea - 12/27/2010

Question
I've been crocheting for many years.  I am currently trying to make a sweater from a leisure arts book.  Of course I crocheted the swatch to check my gauge.  It was way off.  I went down one needled size from I to H.  Still way off.  Just for the heck of it, I used an F and I'm closer but not there.  I've never had this problem before meaning my gauge is usually close and I've made a lot of crocheted sweaters.  The yarn is worsted weight (4) and to it would seem that the correct size would be an I or H.  If anything, I tend to crochet tighter than average.  Leisure arts has not posted any corrections for this particular pattern book because I have checked.  I paid almost 20 dollar for this book and purchased all the yarn for a particular sweater.  I'm frustrated?  Any ideas?

Answer
It probably was due to the creator of the pattern. Her stitches were different than the normal. If an F works better to obtain gauge, then use an F. If you have an E, try it. If it works even better, then use it. They key is to get as close to gauge with whatever yarn/hook that you are using. Maybe she was using two strands...who knows. Regardless, get to gauge with your work, and the pattern should go well.

Hope this helps.

Fran