US: Gauge

UK: Tension

What is a gauge?

Everyone crochets slightly differently. This is primarily due to the tension you use when you crochet. This is why when you see a pattern done by different people the finished products are always slightly different. What gauges allow you to do is match up your tension to the pattern’s creator. So you can make the project to the correct size.

Gauges are crucial when you’re making clothing. For amigurumi, it’s not really necessary.

How to Measure: Gauge

You’ll typically be given measurements for a square/rectangle piece. It’ll tell you how many sc/dc/tr per row and how many rows to make. It will then give you the measurement (inches) of what you’re square should be.

So for example:
10 sc = 3’’
12 rows = 3’’

Make a piece that is 10 single crochet long. Make 12 rows. Take out your ruler and measure your piece. If your piece is smaller than 3″ switch to a larger hook and try again. If your piece is larger than 3″ switch to a smaller hook and see if it matches up.

Example 2:

8 sts and 4 rows of dc = 2″

Make a piece that is 8 double crochet long. Make 4 rows. Your piece should measure 2″. Same as above, if your piece is smaller switch to a larger hook; if it’s larger switch to a smaller hook and retry.

Homework

Homework

Make the following gauge. Switch hooks until you get it right. Start with the 4.5mm Size G Hook. Worsted Weight yarn.

13 sc and 14 rows = 3.5 inches

Quiz

What is the purpose of making a gauge?

A – To make sure your finished piece will be the same size as the piece in the pattern.

B – To make sure your tension is the same as the pattern designers.

C – To make sure the size of your stitches matches up to the pattern designers.

D – All of the above.

My gauge ended up being larger than the one specified in the pattern. What advice would you give?

A – Unravel and try again. This time pull super tight.

B – Try using a bigger hook.

C – Try using a smaller hook.

My gauge ended up being smaller than the one given in the pattern. What do you suggest?

A – Use a larger hook

B – Use a smaller hook

C – Unravel and try again. This time crochet super loose.

D!

All of these are correct!

C!

Try using a smaller hook! Altering your tension so drastically will make for a very poor piece at the end. You’ll never be consistent and tighter stitches will look very different than what they are supposed to look like.

A!

For the same reason above, altering your tension is going to leave you with a very different piece than the pattern. Just try it with a larger hook!