How to Hold the Yarn?

The goal here is to find a method of feeding the yarn smoothly through the hand not holding the hook so that there is a consistent tension on the yarn as you are hooking it.  There's no one correct way to do it; you should find the method that works for you most comfortably, but there are a few standard techniques you might want to try.  One method is to loop the yarn around your pinkie once (start with your palm facing you; put the yarn in between your pinkie and ring finger, from back to front; then loop the yarn around your pinkie and pull it through between the pinkie and ring finger again, from back to front, then put the yarn through between your middle finger and index finger, from front to back, and have the yarn come up over your index finger).  Or try weaving the yarn between your fingers, staring with your palm facing you, and the yarn over your pinkie, between your pinkie and ring finger, from front to back, then bring the yarn behind your ring finger and between your ring and middle finger to the front, then between your middle and index fingers, from front to back, to loop over your index finger.  Another method is to just wrap the yarn over your index finger twice, starting again with your palm facing you, and putting the yarn between your middle and index fingers, from front to back, and looping the yarn over the index finger.  Experiment to discover which method feels most comfortable to you, which frankly might take a while, so be patient with yourself!

The Perfect Hat Fit

When working in the round to make a hat, mathematics realy helps to figure out the right size.  First, measure around the hat recipient's head, just right above the ears and across the forehead.  That will give you the circumference or perimeter of the finished hat.  Divide that number by 3.14159.  That will give you the diameter (measurement across the widest part) of the circle that you will crochet before you start to decrease to make the sides and brim of the hat.

Substituting Yarn

When starting a new project, it's not so hard to purchase the number of balls or skeins of yarn indicated in the pattern (and maybe an extra ball or two, just in case).  But, what about if you are substituting another brand of yarn that comes in different ball or skein sizes? 

If you are substituting yarn, then calculate the total yardage required in the pattern (for example, the pattern says to buy 4 skeins of yarn, and each skein is 150 yards long, so the total yards required for the project is 600 yards) and divide by the number of yards contained in the substitute yarn (let's say you want to use a yarn that comes in a 200-yard skein).  That will tell you how many balls or skeins of the new yarn to buy (in our example above, 600 divided by 200 equals 3 skeins, though, again, you might want to go ahead and buy an extra skein).

But, a word of caution, don't try to substitute a bulky number 5 weight yarn for a sport or baby weight number 2 yarn!  The whole pattern would need to be reworked to account for the differences in gauge, so when substituting yarns, stay within the same weight of yarn originally called for in the pattern.

How to Hold the Hook?

Comfort should be the key here since you are going to be crocheting for a long time hopefully.  There are two popular ways to hold the hook, but if you've devised your own method, then stick with it!  One way is to hold the hook as though it were a pencil.  The other way is to hold it as though it were a knife.  Experiment and see which way works best for you.

What Type of Hook to Use?

Choice of hook is a very personal thing in my opinion.  Hooks are made from many different materials, like plastic, aluminum, bamboo, wood, and others.  Some hooks have a thumb rest and others are smooth and cylindrical along what is known as the shank.   Some hooks have a cushioned or ergonomic handle, whereas others have no handle at all.  Pay attention to the head of the hook as well:  some are in line with the shank, some are tapered with an indented throat area.  The best thing to do is experiment with different types of hooks and decide which ones feel and weigh best in your hand.  You might come to discover that you like different materials for your hooks depending on the type of yarn you are working with.  For example, you might want a slippery aluminum or steel hook when working with a fuzzy or nubbed yarn and a wood or bamboo hook for a smooth yarn. 

Getting the Size Right

The sizing of crocheted garments are going to be different than clothing that you would buy in a retail store.  Even if you follow the pattern carefully and check your gauge, you still might not get the right fit.  The key to getting the right fit is taking accurate body measurements.  For a woman's crocheted top, the bust measurement is the critical one.  Measure around the fullest part of the bust and choose the size in the pattern based on that measurement.

Adjusting Yarn Weight

Ever wanted to follow a pattern but use a different weight yarn than listed?  There are a couple of ways to approach this dilemma.  One is to make a gauge swatch using the desired yarn and then adjust the number of stitches in the pattern according to the outcome of the swatch.  Another is to double up finer yarn to create the weight of yarn called for in the pattern.  A rule of thumb is 2 strands of a fingering yarn will make 1 strand of a sport weight yarn; 2 strands of a sport weight yarn will equal 1 strand of a worsted weight yarn; and 1 strand of a worsted weight yarn coupled with either a fingering yarn or a sport yarn will yield a bulky weight yarn.  Here too, you are going to want to make that gauge swatch to be sure that your stitches are matching the measurements provided in the pattern.

Be Sure to Check the Gauge

Whenever you are starting a new project, it is tempting to not make the recommended gauge swatch.  Well, don't give in to that temptation! I really dislike this part too, but a little time spent now doing the swatch truly will save you time and heartache later.  Why is it so important? Because it will help you ensure that your finished item turns out as pictured and the size you want it to be. Since each crocheter's style is different (some create loose stitches, some tighter), it's important to determine what your style is and to make adjustments once you know the size of your stitches. If you're making a garment, then it's even more important because you'll want all the pieces to fit together properly.  So, go follow the instructions and make that gauge swatch!

Tote Bag and Supplies to Have on Hand

Whenever you start a new project, you might want to prepare a tote bag, with the following supplies in it, to keep your project in until completion.  In addition to the smooth, soft tote bag where your yarn will stay clean and snag-free, you might want to have the following items on hand:  1) yarn or tapestry needle, 2) stitch markers (if you're working in the round), 3) measuring tape, 4) scissors, 5) reading glasses, and 6) a row counter or calculator (if a large or intricate project).  You might want to set up a bag for each project you're working on if there's more than one so that it is self-contained and ready to go when you are!

The Dye Lot is Cast

When starting a new crochet project, be sure that you have enough yarn of the same "dye lot" to complete it.  Color and dye lot information is provided on the yarn label.  It might be tempting to buy skeins of yarn that are the same color but not necessarily from the same dye lot.  Don't do it!  Subtle variations in the color may not be apparent but they will show up after you finish your project and even more so after you wash the item a few times.