I’m a beginner with Crochet. I bought 12 skiens of yarn and would like to begin a project. Everyone tells me make swatches. surely sommeone must know the most appropriate hook size for No. 4 Medium yarn.
More Related Items:
- if pattern calls for 7mm what size is to use
- if you use a smaller hook in crochet wiil your stitches be tighter
- what are the most size of crochet used
- what is the correct size of crochet hook to use for crocheting a scarf
- what needle and yarn should you use for crocheting
- what wool for size 4 crochet needle
- whats the best yarn to use for crochet
- yarn to buse with f crochet hook
7 Comments
depends on the pattern.
as a beginner i would recommend a j
There’s a handy chart for that (http://www.yarnstandards.com/weight.html ). There are also handy charts for converting from the recommended hooks (and knitting needles) in UK patterns and those printed in the US/Canada, and this one contains a list of abbreviations and links to other helpful information (http://www.yarnstandards.com/weight.html ).
The ball-band of the yarn will recommend a hook size, and the Yarn Standards chart will recommend a range of hook sizes–for Category 4, the sizes recommended are I, J, and K (5.5 to 6.5 mm).
However, the reason everyone tells you to make swatches is that no two crocheters have exactly the same tension on the yarn, and crocheters tend to develop their own techniques for stitching. In addition, there is often a big difference between yarns in the same category. For example, you may pick up a skein of Caron Simply Soft and a skein of Vanna’s Choice and notice that they are both in Category 4–but there is a big difference in the size of the yarn.
Patterns are going to be constructed to meet a certain gauge–the number of stitches and the number of rows that it took to create the project in the finished size on the hook used. If you crochet tighter than that, your finished project will come out smaller if you use the same hook. If you crochet looser, it will be larger and you may run out of yarn before finishing. So: what’s the “correct” size for you with your yarn will have to be determined by your finding the hook that will let you duplicate the gauge of the original project.
Yes, we all need to do swatches to know what kind of fabric WE want, not what someone else tells you. You may need to use a smaller or larger hook than what is recommended on the ball band. That is only a suggestion.
The general rule I follow (and it may not work for you) is to double the yarn, and the thickness of the doubled strand is about the thickness of the hook to use. If you tend to make very tight stitches, then go up a bit in size of hook, and if you tend to be quite loose, then choose a slightly smaller hook. Still do your swatch so you are happy with it before starting a project so you don’t find it is wrong when you finish it. With experience, you will learn that you always use this hook with this yarn. Remember that some yarns stretch a lot more, or fluff up more when washed, so you need to consider that as well.
As long as you get the fabric you want, then you are allowed to use any hook that works for you.
If you are making an afghan where the size isn’t that important, a 5mm hook is what I use. If you are making an article of clothing, use what the patterns call for.
I would say a size h or I would be fine for a worsted weight yarn.
F, G, or H are probably the most appropriate, depenind on what you plan to make. Yes, you should swatch so you can determine which hook makes the fabric you want.
I usually use a J and have recently switched to an I. Actually, the yarn label recommends the best size for the weight and should be on the label somewhere.
The only time you really need to make a swatch is to crochet exactly like the designer or to make sure the amount of yarn the pattern says to use is sufficient. The swatch tells you if you need to switch hook sizes based on what you come up with. Unless I am making clothes or something that has to be a particular size, I never make swatches. You can also make a swatch if you are practicing then you can rip it out and use it.
For large projects like afghans, I buy an extra skein and don’t worry about swatches. The great thing about no dye lot yarn is that you can always buy more or do other fun stuff with extra yarn.
Write a Comment