Читать книгу Creative Crochet Projects - Stephanie Pokorny - Страница 11

To make a basic crochet gauge swatch, use the recommended hook size and yarn weight to crochet a square of fabric in the suggested stitch. The pattern will outline the width and height of an ideal swatch, measured across the indicated number of stitches and rows. For example: 14 sts by 9 rows in half double crochet = 4" × 4" using worsted weight yarn and Size US H (5 mm) crochet hook. How do we check this? Begin by chaining slightly larger than the recommended 4" using the hook and the yarn you plan to use for the project. You can always measure within the swatch if your created piece ends up larger than the suggested size. Work across the beginning chain in the stitch stated, in this case half double crochet. Work the number of rows stated in the swatch. Lay your resulting piece on a flat surface, making sure it is smooth but not stretched. In the image, we see that in the 4" width there are 14 stitches and in the 4" height there are 9 rows. This means gauge has been matched and we can proceed onto the actual project. What if your count is not the same? If you have more stitches and rows than stated, your tension/gauge is looser than the pattern. Drop a hook size and try the swatch again. If you have fewer stitches and rows than stated, your tension/gauge is tighter than the pattern. Go up a hook size and try the swatch again.