Lets talk about crochet stitch swatches & why you need to create them for your projects.
Do you sometimes hesitate to try a pattern because you’re unfamiliar with the crochet stitch being used? I know I did!
You know how it goes… you like the look of the pattern and you REALLY want to create that beautiful item but that crochet stitch…(sucks air through teeth)… it looks sooo complicated!
What if you splash out on all the materials and find you can’t work the stitch?!… or worse you hate how it looks in the materials you’ve chosen!
How did I solve this dilemma?
By creating stitch swatches.
What are Stitch Swatches?
At stitch swatch is a square sample created by a single, repeating crochet (or knitting) stitch for the whole piece.
Why do I need to create Stitch Swatches?
- They are a great way to learn new stitches and can help you see if you like them
Use them to test a pattern with different yarns and hook sizes. - You can see how the stitch looks and feels and see how the finished fabric drapes.
- Use them to check the gauge of your project. Many patterns, especially garment patterns, refer to a gauge to make sure the size project you produce is the same as the designer.
- You can use them to build up a library of stitches. This not only serves as a reminder of the stitches you’ve tried but can be used to help you use alternative stitches in crochet patterns when you want to change things up a bit.
- Swatches are a fantastic way to explore new things in crochet and improve your crochet skills.
How do I create a stitch swatch?
You will want to create a swatch that is big enough to give you a good feel for the number of repeats in your pattern.
If the main pattern has a gauge that is also a good place to start. You’ll want to create a panel that is slightly larger than that given in the gauge.
What do I do with the swatches?
You can store them for future reference. A bag or a box will do, or you could try adding them to a ring binger.
Alternatively you can turn them into dishcloths or use them in a bigger project like a patchwork afgan blanket or wall hanging.
Stitch Swatch Labels
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Once you’ve created your swatch you’ll want to block it so that it lies flat. After that you might want to add a label similar to these*.
On one side write the name of the stitch or the pattern, on the other write the important information like hook size and yarn weight or even the stitch instructions.
The size of your swatch and the number of stitches you need will be different for each project. It will also depend on whether you are sampling a single stitch or a pattern consisting of multiple stitches.
To help you with this I’ll be creating stitch guides that give instructions on how to work the stitch as well as a pattern for creating a swatch.
These stitch guides will build into a printable stitch library. Be sure to bookmark this pages as I’ll be adding links to each new guide below.
Until next time… happy crafting!
