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Tips & Tricks for Whiteowlcrochetco Crochet Patterns


Tips & Tricks

 

In the past you would find these tips and tricks in every pattern! To save trees and pattern space, all tips and tricks have been moved here for your convenience.

Gauge

Ensure to swatch prior to diving in!

Yardage

Gauge is important most patterns! If you tend to make things looser and larger than expected, consider sizing down your hook to ensure you have enough yardage. 

If this causes you concern about the final dimensions, please note that you can definitely stretch your dimensions with blocking!

Alternative Yarns

A lot of decent alternative yarns can be found on yarnsub.com! Keep reading for a list of alternative yarns used in the testing of Whiteowlcrochetco. patterns. 

Feisty Fade Shawl - Feisty Fibres Defiant DK
Testers used the following alternative yarns:

  • Premier Yarns Deborah Norville Everyday Baby (100% Acrylic)
  • Loops and Threads Snuggly Wuggly (100% Acrylic)
  • Red Heart Soft (100% Acrylic)
  • Ritual Dyes Priestess DK (100% SW Merino)
  • Explorer Knits Rockies DK (100% SW Merino)
  • Yarn Bee’s Soft and Sleek DK (100% Acrylic)
  • Hobbii Tivoli (100% Acrylic)
  • Yarn Bee Soft Secret (100% Acrylic)
  • Paintbox Simply DK (100% Acrylic)

Felting Ends

If your yarn has a percentage of wool content, you may felt your ends into place with a felting needle should you wish. AllAboutAmi has a wonderful video tutorial on her Instagram page and blog:

https://www.allaboutami.com/felt-yarn-ends-together/

Here is another provided by Lion Brand Yarn:

http://www.lionbrand.com/blog/how-to-felted-join-yarn-ends/

This method is typically used to join 2 skeins together, but I use it frequently to keep weaved ends in place!

 

Blocking

The following is a description of how I choose to wet block my own garments/pieces:

  • Fully immerse piece in the sink or a bucket of water with some Soak wash – a tablespoon or two, depending on the size or number of items soaking. Soak different colours separately.
  • Let sit for 15 minutes.
  • Do not wring out the water – this will stretch your piece.
  • Place item(s) separately on a dry towel, then lay a second (or third) towel on top of the item(s).
  • Step gently on top of the layered towels to expel the water.
  • Once satisfied, the item(s) are ready to go on the blocking mats.

How aggressively you block is up to you – if you want a larger, more drapey piece, stretch the heck out of it and pin in place with T-pins. Ensure all item(s) are stretched to the same dimensions if blocking multiple items of the same piece.

Here are a few unsponsored links to articles on 'Blocking':

How to Block Your Knitting - Coco Knits:
https://cocoknits.com/blogs/knit-tutorials/how-to-block-your-knitting

How to Block Your Knits - A Tutorial + Tips - Bluprint:
https://www.mybluprint.com/article/how-to-block-your-knits-a-tutorial-tips 

How to Block Knitting Techniques - Interweave:
https://www.interweave.com/article/knitting/how-to-block-knitting-tips-resources/

How to Block - Instructions for Spray Blocking Crochet Squares:
https://www.interweave.com/article/crochet/how-to-block-instructions-for-spray-blocking-crochet-squares/


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