How Do You Know What Size You’ve Made?

Tags

baby, body measurement, charts, clothing, Crochet, garments, gauge, guidelines, hook, knitting, sizes, sizing, yarn

When creating clothing, sizing is important for a good fit. Yarn thickness, hook size, and stitch gauge all effect the size of a garment. So how do you know if you’ve made the right size?

For example, over the past weekend I created this little cardigan. I used sport weight yarn and a size F crochet hook. My goal was to create something for a 1 year old child, but how do I know it’s the right size?

I use the Standards and Guidelines for Crochet and Knitting found at http://www.yarnstandards.com. I wanted my cardigan to be a standard fitting garment so it can be worn over another layer, so I went to their website. I clicked on “Standard Body Measurements/Sizing” in the left sidebar and scrolled down to the Fit Chart.

The fit chart explains how much extra you need in the garment for the various types of fit, known as the “ease”. Ease is the amount you add to the actual boby measurement for a finished size to allow for proper fit.

The standard-fitting ease is 2-4 inches.

Now that I know what the ease is, I went to the Baby Size Chart (you’ll find the link in the left sidebar under the Standard Body Measurements/Sizing link).

The finished chest measurement of my cardigan is 20 inches, the finished back length is 10 1/2 inches. The measurement from shoulder to shoulder across the back is 10 inches.

Comparing my finished measurements to the baby chart sizes and remembering the amount of ease needed for standard-fitting, I know that my finished cardigan is sized for an 12 month old. Since my cardigan is for a fundraiser, I only needed a general size.

These charts are a great reference for body measuring, body fit and sizing garments for babies, children and adults. However, every body type is different and if you are creating something for a specific person, you’ll need actual body measurements.

In addition to the charts I referenced, the guide provides instructions on how to take body measurements, the standard yarn weight system, yarn label information, chart symbols, abbreviations, etc.

You can download the full Standards & Guidelines for Crochet and Knitting booklet for easy reference. Click on the “Downloadable Guidelines PDF” link at the bottom of the left sidebar. It’s a valuable tool to have, and with it, you too can create your own beautiful crochet garments!

~ Renée

There are no limits when it comes to our individual creativity! It’s what makes our finished works One of a Kind!

Calvin’s Hats – Egg Size Crochet Preemie Hats

Tags

baby, Calvin's Hats, charity, children, Crochet, hat, Pattern, Preemie, pregnancy

 

Simple and quick crochet egg size preemie hat. Free pattern.

 

While surfing facebook, I came across a post by Calvin’s Hats asking for egg size baby hats, they were running low.  So I visited their website, www.calvinshats.com, and was hooked!  They inspired me to create this simple and quick pattern.

This is a wonderful organization that provides tiny hand made hats for babies who have been born too early.  Hats that fit these little babies and hopefully provide their families with a small treasure to remember and take comfort from.

I can’t imagine what it is like to have a child born too early and know that the odds of survival are very slim, my heart goes out to them.  Despite a risky pregnancy and extremely difficult delivery, I was blessed with a healthy son 27 years ago, though he was a month early.  I was strongly advised not to have more children and I mourned for a long time over not being able to give my son a little brother or sister.  In that respect I understand the loss.

Calvin’s Hats touched my heart.  I feel blessed to have found them and I hope to continue making hats for them.  Tomorrow I am shipping out 50 little “egg hats”.  If you are interested in donating to Calvin’s Hats, you can find them on facebook at www.facebook.com/calvinshats.

If you would like to have this free pattern, click on the picture or you can find it here … http://www.craftsy.com/pattern/crocheting/accessory/egg-size-crochet-preemie-hats/60894

~ Renée

Welcome to Garnet Rose Crochet!

Tags

afghan, American Diabetes Association, Arts, Atlanta, baby, Craft, Crochet, hats, Infant, inspiration, Pattern, Preemie, scarves, Special Olympics, type 2 diabetes

I’d like to start by telling you a little bit about me.  To tell you how this blog and the Garnet Rose Crochet facebook page came to be.

I’m a busy lady, between family and work, there aren’t enough hours in the day to do everything … I’m sure you know what that is like.  To complicate things a bit more, I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes in 2009.  There’s a lot that goes on in my daily routine where that is concerned, but the biggest problem I was having was stress.  Home stress, work stress …. too much stress! and it was shooting my blood sugar way up.  So, last year I started crocheting again, usually at the end of the day to help me relax and release all of that stress.

Crocheting for me is that long hot bath that just eases all of the tension away and soothes the nerves.  It has become my go to stress buster!  Some nights I fall asleep in mid-stitch … LOL … it’s so relaxing!  BUT, all of this crocheting created another problem for me … what to do with all of the things I was making?!  Well, the answer was fairly simple, donate them!  There are so many wonderful groups and charities that crochet for a good cause and they are always looking for volunteers to help them reach their goals.

The first group I began crocheting for is Sweet Lil’ Peas (http://sweetlilpeas.wix.com/sweetlilpeas).  I crochet baby hats for them to be sent to hospital NCIU’s for the preemie and newborn babies.   Along the way I have also made scarves for the Special Olympics and squares for groups that were making blankets for families who have experienced tragedy.   The most recent charity that I have begun crocheting for is Calvin’s Hats (www.calvinshats.com).  They are a non-profit organization that provides tiny hand made hats to babies who are born too early to survive.  Their need of egg size preemie hats is what led me to creating this blog.  I received a request for my pattern and I decided to do a photo-tutorial, but I needed a place to share it.

Recently I began looking for other charities and groups that I could help and that led to creating the Garnet Rose Crochet facebook page.  I wanted to share ideas and inspiration with my fellow crocheters as well as share the many savings and giveaways that I come across and of course the free pattern links!  I wanted to also shed some light on the many groups and charities out there who could use a helping hand.

Having diabetes, I wanted to get involved with the American Diabetes Association.  So last year I took part in the ADA Step Out Walk to Stop Diabetes.  One of the most rewarding things I have done and this year I am registered to walk again.  Fundraising for this walk is very important to me, my goal is to raise $1000 for the Atlanta walk in November.  The afghan I am working on in the picture above is one I crocheted for ADA – Atlanta for their 2013 June Father of the Year Auction.  It’s called “Ocean Waves Throw” and is a free pattern available on the www.RedHeart.com website.  I loved making it and was thrilled to be able to contribute to the auction.

I hope to continue being able to help others in some small way, to give back for all of the many blessings that have come my way over the years.

Stay tuned for my egg hat tutorial and future creations as well as shared thoughts and ideas!

~ Renée

There are no limits when it comes to our individual creativity!  It’s what makes our finished works One of a Kind!