I don't know anyone who enjoys swatching. There are some that will even go as far as to hate it. I see it more as a necessary evil I must overcome before starting my project.
In the beginning of most patterns (where gauge matters at least) you'll see something like this "11 hdc + 8 rows = 4 in. (10 cm)". In translation: if you crochet 11 half double crochet stitches by 8 rows you should get a 4 x 4 swatch using the suggested hook... should being the important word here.
I don't know how the designers work, but none of them ever knit or crochet as tightly/loosely/frantically as I do so I always end up switching my hook or needles to find the one gets me gauge (i.e. 11 hdc + 8 rows = 4 in. (10 cm)).
I always try the recommended size first though...must be the optimist in me. In this case, the patterned called for an I hook and make my swatch 15 hdc over 10 rows, just so I have a little border.
This gave me 12 hdc x 10 rows after blocking. Now, logic would be seeing that I have two many stitches per inch so I should go up a hook size (to a J). This would make the stitches bigger and give me more stitches per inch.
But instead of trusting my thought process, I decided to trust the thought process of a professional and go down a hook size (to an H).
This gave me even MORE stiches/inch and using up more of my pretty, squish, pricey, organic cotton in the process. ::sigh:: Maybe I'll try to reuse this yarn for my next swatch try.
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