Gauge--get over it!

Whenever I teach a class and talk about gauge, everybody groans. I understand--you've got a brand new pattern and a pile of lovely yarn in your basket, and you cannot wait to get started on it.

But wait!

Think about this:

That yarn is probably expensive. And your time is even more expensive--you can't frog your time and take it back. By not making a gauge swatch, you could be wasting yarn, wasting your time, and probably getting frustrated when something doesn't come out right.

Gauge is most important for a precise fit in a garment, but it's also important for stuffed animals or accessories to come out properly.

Another reason:

I'll let you in on a dirty little secret...

For the past several years I've written crochet (and knit) patterns for most of the major magazines and book publishers. I think I'm doing something right, because I've seen lots of great comments about my patterns online (thank you, all!), and yarn companies and publishers personally ask me for more.

When I write a pattern and suggest a hook size--and I emphasize that word "suggest"--I am guessing what size hook you need to obtain the same gauge.

You see, I am a very loose crocheter. I once watched a woman using an "I" hook on a project for which I would choose a "G." Every time I see anybody crocheting, I check out what size hook they are using. It's usually at least one, sometimes two or three sizes larger than I would use for the same gauge. I must always guess your hook size--and I surmise my fellow designers are doing the same.

Only YOU can decide what hook to use!

Hooks are so inexpensive, there's no excuse not to have several different sizes on hand.

Plus, even if they are marked the same, different brands can be different shapes and sizes.

But that's another post for another time...

Lola goes to the White Mountains

Lola decides to drive to the White Mountains. Road trip!

The view is spectacular!

Everything is labeled at the rental property so no one takes anything.

and yet...

Lola thinks mountain climbing sounds like fun!

But, it turns out Lola is afraid of heights...

...so a Starbucks sounds pretty good right now. Non-fat decaf, please.

If you'd like to crochet your own adorable Lola doll, check back for updates for when a pattern is available on Ravelry.com. 'Cause you know, she's the cat's pajamas!

Yes, a bonus pattern for her pajamas will be available, too!

Mimi and Lola; or What's in a Name?

I always liked my name. DONNA is no-nonsense with all those sharp edges, yet softened by just a few feminine curves.

It suits me.

Then, my college Spanish teacher thought it would be fun to give us all Spanish names to use in class.

Mine was Lola.

L--O--L--A, Lola...it rolls off the tongue like poetry.

The signature on my homework was loopy and round. As the semester went on, I drew it with increasingly large and curly flourishes.

Donna is smart and business-like, but Lola was different: sassy and sexy, bold and brazen. Giving up the name at the end of the semester was a bit of a let-down.

I nearly forgot about Lola until I was in the middle of coming up with ideas for a new doll. I was going to name her Mimi the Cat--daintily Parisian, prim and sweet in pastel with satin ribbons--until Lola demanded my attention.

Mimi the Cat will make an appearance some day, but I expect Lola to make the scene by the end of the week.

Are you missing out on Ravelry.com?

What are you waiting for? Ravelry.com is the liveliest of knit and crochet forums with over 2 million members. You can download patterns (some are free!), keep track of your projects, snoop through others' yarn stashes, read reviews of the latest craft books, vent about current events, and make new friends. It's free to sign up!

I'll be selling the original patterns to the dolls that will be found on this blog on my Ravelry page. (You have to be signed in to Ravelry for this link to work.)

Already available is a free pattern of a cute lamb disguised as a March lion.