So I finally got the worsted weight wool blend yarn I ordered for my sister’s Christmas present a few weeks before Christmas. So it’s a birthday gift now. Or next Christmas.
I haven’t bought the pattern yet, as I wanted to run with it a bit to make sure it wasn’t beyond me and I am now a bit unsure with the gauge. The pattern called for 5.5mm so I went up to 5.75 as I crochet tightly and the pattern has a gauge check after 6 rows. Way too big. Went down to 5.25. Still too big. Went to 4.5. Guess what? Too big. So now I am using 3.75mm and it came up with the right size bit it feels really stiff. I haven’t made much clothing with crochet, so I don’t know if this is good bad or otherwise?
It looks like your pattern uses worsted weight too, but I can tell you from experience that the category can vary wildly. I worked up a sweater vest using what was called worsted weight and it didn’t look quite right, so I started it again with a slightly fluffier worsted weight and it looked and fit much better.
Yeah, I feel like certain yarns just don’t drape well, no matter what hook size you are using (and of course, the tighter the stitches, the worse the problem becomes.) I have this trouble a lot with cotton yarns, so I usually use a blend if I want the cotton look/feel. Maybe try some different yarns to see what works. (I have been known to do this surreptitiously in yarn aisles of craft stores.)
The differences in how yarns work up can also be to do with the components, have you checked your yarn against the yarn the pattern calls for at YarnSub? For your convenience: YarnSub for Rapture
I’m always subbing one yarn for another, depending on what I have in my stash, and being allergic to wool. Not all yarns drape nicely for garments, and some yarns behave differently after being washed, blocked and dried too. (which I’m sure you know)
As a thought, perhaps work up enough of the pattern to get a good idea of it, and wash, block and dry it to see if it drapes well, or if it goes more solid and stiffer.
It’s a lovely colour you’ve chosen.
Had another look at the pattern and thus another couple of thoughts that might help you decide.
You know your sister and how she wears her clothing, for me, I’d rather a bit more ease in the fitting of the tunic than is shown in the image (of course, those images aren’t always as accurate fitting wise, as you’d hope they’d be either).
Potentially, using a smaller size with a larger hook, might give you better fabric drape and still mostly meet gauge.
Hope you find a solution, it’s a pretty pattern.
Thanks all. I did get a worsted weight, but I didn’t use yarnsub, so it’s likely not a great substitute. And I have bought a bunch of it now, so I need to try and make it work.
I was also thinking of trying a size down in the pattern, but changing the hook to make the gauge match. In addition to worrying about the crocheted fabric being too stiff, it’s quite difficult to work with. I think 4.5mm was ok, as was the 5.0mm, but the 3.75 makes it slow (well slower than usual) and Im trying to make it for April. Haha
I think I might also try the suggestion of washing a swatch to see how it feels after.
@mellybelly81
What sized hook does your yarn label say to use? That might give you some insight into the pattern size that might work best.
A 3.75 mm hook sounds really painful in a variety of ways and would not be conducive, for me, to wanting to keep working on it.
There’s also an alternative of finding another lovely pattern that would better suit the yarn you have on hand - so many times I’ve had to do the same.
Hoping you keep us updated with how things are going for you.
