Yarn Ply Variations and Hook Sizes

I've been crocheting with 2 different brands of yarn recently and both are double knit, AU 8 ply.

Both are quality brands, but differ in thickness, which forces me to use a different size hook.

Here I am working on the crown of a baby hat

I used a 4 mm hook on the left and 3.5mm on the right

 The yarn on the left is slightly thicker that the yarn on the right, so I adjusted the hook to suit the yarn

Yarn hook and ply does make a big difference when making a wearable item from specific instructions.

 Take one of my own patterns for example.

Simple Crochet Sweater Size 2

Free Crochet Pattern 

I used a 4mm hook and dk yarn (the thicker dk) making the sweater below.

Debbie Sealock Hughes writes

Here's your pattern for the free crochet pattern size 2 simple crochet pattern. I had a thicker yarn so I used a size I hook and it worked beautifully and will fit my 8 year old granddaughter. It is a beautiful pattern and very easy. Took me about 7 hours to complete. Thanks for the pattern!

With some experience on hand, we can up size and down size a pattern by switching hook sizes and yarn ply's.

I know many do with the patterns I write and it's fun to see!

Cute Crochet

Just a few pictures of what I have been making of late, some cute and cuter!

I've used a hdc in the round in some of these, looks just as good as the sc in the round and works up faster.

I made my own pattern for the cup cakes and doughnuts, using lots of inspiration from other patterns.

These look good enough to eat

Free patterns here

These are made with a hdc, no pattern, I was inspired by other pictures, Duncan on the left and Earl on the right.

There are so many ways to make a crochet coffee or tea cup look so cute!

I also made my very first Kokeshi doll

And some out fits for my Grand daughters

 Good colors and a cute factor = success

For Savannah 1 yr old

Free pattern link

These colors were a shade too dark, but they match Cindy's skin color, pattern from the Candy Tots pattern book

 

 

Cute Little Stay On Poncho

I have made this poncho once before, it's a good design as it stay's on and in place unlike the regular poncho. It's perfect for the toddler/child for this reason.

 For the top photo I used 110 gm's of yarn and a size 4.00 mm hook (US G/6)

The center length measure's approx 13 inches (with out the tassels).

You can find the free pattern here, but I did have some difficulty in understanding row's 4 and 14 for the size 12/15 months, I will include my revised steps below in red.

half shell: 2dc ch 1

Shell: 2 dc, ch1, 2 dc

Rnd4: Ch 3, dc, ch 1, 2 dc in same stitch, ch 1,** skip 2 stitches, 2 dc, ch 1 in next stitch. skip 1 stitch, 2 dc, ch 1 in next stitch ** repeat from ** to** for a total of 14 half shells.skip 2 st’s,  Shell in next stitch, skip 2 st’s, than repeat with half shells alternating with skipping 2 stitches and 1 stitch in between each around(14half shells) Join: total of 28 half shells and 2 shells

Rnd 14: slip stitch to center of shell, Ch 2, dc, ch 1, 2dc in ch 1 sp.** ch 1, 2dc in next ch 1 sp ** repeat till after you have done 6- 1/2 shells Now

skip 12 shell spaces,(armhole) 2dc,ch 1 in next ch 1 sp,  repeat 5 more times  (6-1/2 shells)    do a full shell, ** Repeat from** to last shell, join..

 24 half shells ,2 full shells.

 made this one 31/07/2013

Quick Child's Poncho and Hat Set

First of all this is not one of my own patterns it came from this site. I would say it is a beginner to intermediate pattern. I was looking for something quick to make and this is quick.

At this stage I had used a 50 gm ball of yarn.

At this stage I had used another 50gm ball of yarn.

The completed set used just over 200gm's of yarn.

I think it looks very pretty in the pink shades I have used, it is actually from the same ball of yarn, it was a strand each of pink and white and about an 8 ply, the yarn was a bit of a pain to work with, but the end result makes up for that. I used a 6mm hook for the poncho, changed to a 5mm hook for the sleeve edging and a 4mm hook for the hat and flowers. I just made up the pattern for the flowers, but there is a flower pattern that comes with this pattern.

Lily's Crocheted back tie top and Headbandkerchief

Crocheted vest for Girls

These are some more vests for the girls. The kitty one is for Bella and the bright one is for Lily.

By clicking on the heading, "some more vests" you will be taken to my web site where you can seee how I put the kitty vst together.