How to Crochet - Avoid Crochet Swatch Disasters: Tips & Tricks | The Crochet Crowd

Learn what NOT to do with certain types of Crochet patterns. Mikey laughs his way through the terror of his afghan being all messed up. He avoids gauge and in today's project, he will need to rip it apart. Laugh along, learn and enjoy some crochet tips. Mikey is referring to this pattern in the video. Free pattern is available at www.yarnspirat...|_Yarnspirations #crochet #learntocrochet #crochettutorial .
This video is closed-captioned for the deaf and hard-of-hearing communities. The captioning is also available in multiple languages such as Spanish, French, German, Italian and Portuguese. The written pattern is only available in English. . *** .
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[@Missbrita]

I love that you can admit when you are wrong most people have a hard time doing that....Bravo to you Sir !!!!

[@gemini2s]

Sweetie, Your mistake in gauge turned into a great swatch disaster tutorial. Thank you so much for the tip, Mikey. I do not gauge either! This has taught me to do so from now on.

[@sandymalich]

This was the best advice ever. Thank Mickey, I now know where I went wrong. I never knew what a gauge was. You are awesome and humble. lol

[@unknownorchid]

Thank you so much Mikey, for sharing this! I'm admit it too. I NEVER gauge. This is very helpful to those of us that don't.

[@brigittescott2438]

Oh good even people good at crocheting make mistakes yay! Thank you for your honesty.

[@douglasradowick508]

Mikey, I've never counted my stitches, or, mat he'd my gauges. I've always bought red heart yarn and just " went to town" crocheting the aphgan, lap-throw or shoulder--wrap. I just recently had to "frog" 90% of a 6' x 4' blanket and recrocheted it to get rid of the mistake I made WAY early in the project. I got it finished 6months ago after starting it 2 1/2 years ago, it now looks fabulous and my long-haul trucker friend keeps it in his rig for when he sleeps in his rig for the night. He treasures it because it is hand made, with love stuffed into every stitch!❤️ Doug

[@want4onlyone]

Thank you Mikey, I love the way you come across on camera. I feel like we are old friends sharing patterns secrets.

[@NuclearMango.]

I never knew how to follow a gauge... I do now!!! You're so sweet, cute and funny, Mikey!! Thank you for "straightening" us out. ; )

[@christineneidel2438]

You made me giggle! I've done this several times, too, while trying to substitute yarns. I've learned to do a swatch because of it, but it's only the barest minimum. Gauge is a dirty word!

[@annhaynesparker]

Boy, can I relate! And you are an inspiration by sharing your goofs so we don't feel alone with ours! Of course, I'd be bawling my eyes out, but maybe I'd get to the laugh-at-myself stage eventually.

[@chrismith9714]

Glad to hear you laugh at your self it shows we are all human

[@Theguys1]

You are fantastic! If I was good enough, I’d even go on the cruise. Keep us all posted.

[@infonurs]

Lol...the giggling is too contagious! Thanks for the tips!

[@solisperla97]

Love your projects. Would love to see a step by step for this pattern. Please!!!! Pretty please!!!! :(

[@Blueyedrebel]

Thanks Mikey! I'd of fallen right in that boat with you. That pattern looks like one I've seen before and want to do but got scared away. Had I tried it I'd of been all messed up right with you I crochet tight and never gauge also lol! Thanks for the smiles :) Maybe when I get done with the entralac I'll try this one.

[@suzi4226]

Glad to know i am not the only one who never checks gauge. guess i will have to when i do this project. Thanks for all the tips, i enjoy watching you. Even when you do make mistakes. To be accurate, because you make mistakes, just like the rest of us and aren't afraid to admit to it.

[@deana6633]

We all make these mistakes. It's great to see you laugh about it. Love watching your videos. Our failures always lead to bigger successes.

[@jeanproctor560]

Mikey! I have always done a tension square and have never had any problems with substituting yarns. I love trying new stitches and patterns but I never really follow patterns. I love to do things my way using I stitch are style that I like. I enjoy your videos, you make me laugh and I find I can follow your tuitions easily, as an old lady of 84 who taught herself to crochet I think I will never be too old to try something new.

[@cheryls4526]

I love when normal people show what happens when you make a mistake.. All we ever see is the final perfect project. So, keep making mistakes because we still learn what to do when we do it:)

[@TheCrochetCrowd]

Have to keep it real but in tutorial work, if I screw up, I have to refilm as people will follow the mistake and then be forced to rip it out. I have learned the hard way years ago.

[@laurawilliams7146]

Hey, we learn from our mistakes. No matter how long you have crocheted. Now I know guaging is very important in some afghans. Just luke in your granny sqare totural. Never thought about the corner thing until I saw your video. And I learned to crochet when I was 8. Now I am 55. 😂😂

[@lnb804]

Love this! Love the laughs!!! Well, basically you can increase or decrease the gauge as long as the proportions are the same.

[@angelaearley3429]

I admit I hardly check my gauge as well, but now that I am following a pattern from a catalog I am making sure to check it.

[@VelvetNhtshade]

i got to admit ive never realised how important gauging was most of the time i will just start a project wish whatever yarn i can get lol im glad ive seen this before starting to make any garments i will remember to do a gauge now thanks :)

[@dalekalyvas9005]

This was hysterical! I just found your channel and am enjoying going through your posts and collecting all of your tutorials...but this was a real treat. LOL

[@joycerosson2527]

Mikey...I just love watching you.. LOVE, LOVE , your personality.

[@wolfkat7]

I absolutely adore you and love your videos! I never knew you existed until about a week ago when I accidentally ran into one of you videos while trying to find an answer to a question I had. I have been knitting since I was 14 and a couple of years later I started crocheting. Mostly, I am self-taught. But, I've taken classes and had help from others when I needed it. Anyway, yes, you crochet upside-down in one place (just cuz it's different from me) but you have given me so many tips and tricks! Thank you! And, I HATE doing gauge swatches......................

[@ritamcginnis8737]

Great video, Mikey! I am guilty of not searching! I will have to mend my ways!

[@MsMOLLYKINS]

It feels good to know you make the same mistakes I do and I hate following gauge ... I follow what ever you tell me lol I won't be trying this blanket at a ll ever ever ever lol thanks mikey

[@chapplekilgore9034]

Even though you made a boo boo Mikey this is my absolute favorite video being you brought so much enthusiasm and character to this video. Plus it has truly helped me in so many ways being I can not find a video that I can understand on the gauge. Again, thank you for so many helpful and creative videos.

[@MissaRosa]

I actually like this "disaster" of yours! Picasso's paintings make no sense either, but they are priceless. Use it as a wall hanging or something. Nothing is perfect!

[@robingilson2201]

I like that it don't sit down. You can use it for back of chair or kids play blanket

[@beckybramlett3515]

I usually have to use a hook 1-2 sizes bigger..... I crochet a little tighter than the recommended size. Gauge, maybe I need to start doing that too !! Lol

[@sandygrogg1203]

Interesting... I knit and crochet way tighter than most people, so always adjust my heedless/hook size...

[@sandydawson5574]

Mikey, you are so fun to watch! I'm glad to see that you also make mistakes! P.S. I LOVE Bates Hotel too, I'd better put my crocheting down, it's the season finale tonight! ;)

[@MsMatador7]

Like yourself, I hook tight also...Therefore, I have to change up to a larger hook with most patterns...For example; if the pattern calls for a G hook, I usually use an I, or a J, to get the right gauge...Have a great weekend...

[@theelfherself839]

Guilty of not checking the gauge...I have been trying to make slippers for who knows how long, and they NEVER FIT!!!! It never crossed my mind to change the hook LOL, tytyty Mikey!! But, I think I'm going to make my Mom a lap ghan...I think the slippers will be easier to have the foot on hand that I'm making it for ;) thanks again

[@sewinsuzie75]

I hate making gauge swatches and so far have got away with it BUT I WILL NEVER EVER, do that again. I didn't realize the differences in yarn, such as drape ability. I went by the feel if Walmart didn't carry what I wanted which is most of the time. I wish I could order Red Heart online. Thanks for this lesson, if you can show your WOOPS online I can confess to my ignorance about the qualities of yarn. Great tutorial. Granny Dorothy

[@abbyshutterbug]

I have so made this error myself! With a granny square afgan, I use one brand in the same gauge in 3 diferent colors, and one seg of squares I used a different brand and gauge, I couldn't figure out why those squares didn't fit, but I pushed on and stitched them together anyway, and I ended up with an afgan that bunched evertine there was a square of the odd gauge. Needles to say I am very particular about using thw same gauge throughout my projects now, and I even go so far as to make sure all of the yarns are the same brand.

[@kathleenchamp3764]

AAAAAAAAAAAAAH! NO DIAGRAM ,,,MY EYES POPPED OUT AND MY HEART SANK ...I THINK THERE ARE TEARS ON THE HORIZON..,..hold back grl , hold back. lol I feel like a child that was skipped for the classmate party invite. ANyWAY, I think ya'll left on a cruise this morning delightful, I pray you ALL have a safe and splendiferous fabtabulous time! & I realy hope when u have time after reurning you get back to me with good news on this purdy lil ditty *8 }

[@karenlautzenheiser2003]

I'm guilty of not doing a gauge, too! I will have to think twice about the gauge the next time I start a project. Thanks for sharing this with us! You're the best!!

[@JeimiJamie]

You're too funny 😂😂 I'm gonna go through your videos because I'm looking for something about when you can't get the right gauge in one direction or the other. I've always crocheted amigurumi, so I hold my working yarn tightly (even when I don't wrap it around my fingers). I'm trying to crochet my dog a sweater (to become part of her Halloween costume), and I want to get the gauge right so that I can make more garments, but no matter what, I can get the stitch count right, and end up with way more rows than the designer gauge. Even going up 2 whole hook sizes (4mm to 6mm, even different kinds of hooks, and here I am 12 swatches in and about to give up on gauge), considerably loosening my tension (to the point that I'm sure nobody crochets that loosely), I continue to end up with too many rows, along with too many stitches in that case. I'm using the same yarn weight, but no idea on the brand since it isn't mentioned in the pattern. Thanks for making me laugh today though.

[@barbie61785]

OMG this video was hilarious....i have yet to check my gauge, however i am a newbie and have only completed like six projects. i am working on the Catherine wheel afghan now and i was halfway finished when i realized the blanket was uneven...think its because i am adding one too many stitches when i turn....not sure will have to figure it out!

[@nightmiztrez]

I'm like you Mikey I like to play it fast and loose with gauge... (afterall, I learned to crochet from you lol) This was a great video and lesson to learn. I found out the hard way trying to make a shrug. The pattern called for 15 stitches and 15 rows to be 4 x 4 inches. As it turned out, with the SAME HOOK SIZE, I got a swatch that was 3.5 x 3.5 and kept going. Oops.

[@elidamurada4807]

Love this guy

[@MrsElleGuapo]

Whoops! Well I always do pay attention to the gauge and measurements. Only because couple of times I finished the items and realized they are much much smaller in size than they were supposed to be... And I must say I am not a tight crocheter, I crochet with normal average tension but surprisingly most of the time I have to end up with a bigger hook, just like for example with one of your tutorials of a diaper cover- their gauge in the instruction of that diaper cover is just ridiculous. I love your tutorials, and thank you for them!!!

[@itsauntied]

I LOVE this video! It proves that you are human, like the rest of us! It can be rather discouraging to see perfection in every tutorial, so it is so realistic and reassuring when you show us your outtakes and errors like this, Mikey! On topic, last year, I decided to make the Octagon and Squares throw (making in Queen sized) for my niece in colours she chose, so that meant substituting the yarn.I did a practice motif, and it's a good thing I did, cuz I had to go up to 8mm hook (instead f the 6mm called for) before the octagon would lie flat with that many stitches! I'm still working on the afghan (I work on it between other WIPs) and am more than half-way through. I hope to finish it by the end of the summer, but that remains to be seen. Just try and keep me from posting a photo everywhere!

[@debis762]

Love this video. I NEVER do a gauge swatch! If it is absolutely required.... I will absolutely not be making that project. lol I think of them as something to be avoided at all costs.... like the plague. ;)

[@JosJerseyJournals]

You are just to much fun lol even when your explaining how you messed up you still make me laugh right along with you. Thank for the tips.

[@narcissanelson6404]

omgoodness, you are so funny! Thank you

[@TerryJ950]

Really? 14 people didn't like this video? I'm grieving right now and I was able to smile and even laugh along with you. Thanks so much. The only part I didn't like was at 10:42!

[@abaussermanamb]

Ty Mikey

[@theheathershar]

That's what that means. I just crochet an follow your videos. I don't know how to read a pattern or anything like that I have always wondered what that was. Thanks Hun you are the best.

[@kathleenchamp3764]

mikey...what a giggle buster! just hoping theres a video to show correct swatch making,,,honestly ..lol ive done one ONCE...LOL NOT SURE IT WAS RIGHT~ lolol the totem by the way,,adorbs!!!! lol on a serous note..i want to see this afgan completed and try it as welll IKES!!!!!! LOL LOVE THE UNUSUAL PATTERNING *8 }

[@Gegit05]

Are you still going to make a video for this pattern? I love this afghan but can't seem to get it started right. Please, Please make a tutorial!! Thanks

[@mariasmith7002]

Adorable! :)

[@francesca.pellegrino]

I don't gauge either...oops. guess I need to start doing that... I always figured it didn't matter, as long as I was okay with the project not being the exact same size as the directions. I guess in that pattern it wouldn't be okay.

[@1955kfraz]

Great tutorial, Mikey! Keepin real! I live that!

[@genmama1955]

I never gauge either. I pulled apart a hat because of that once.

[@tuneahfissh1821]

Bates motel im addicted too and messed up on a blanket haha

[@DavinaHarrison]

It proves you are only human. Don't beat yourself about it. I jump right into a project also, who has time to check gauge, lol.

[@rebaw54]

ty so much mikey for this video helped me a lot

[@lazycatz37]

I tawt I saw a putty cat. Thanks for the tip. I just learned the entrelac stitch working on that first. This one you're doing now is for the experts I am not there yet. :) one day

[@janecampbell1963]

I luurrrvvve Bates Motel Mikey. When's series 2 coming out? I never gauge either but I think if I were to attempt that particular afghan I would have to. Where can I get the pattern please? Love ur channel and that 'Smiley Mikey' face xxx

[@ThatDarlaGirl]

Thank you for sharing.

[@hearfan]

I don't gauge either and also substitute yarn, lol.

[@TheBooper73]

Guilty!, Guilty!, Guilty!!!. I thank you for this video, Mikey. I am not a gauge person either. I usually look at project and expect it to come out just like the pattern shows. I will take your advice and sorry you had to rip it out....that's the most painful thing to do. Love all your tutorials. I am one of your biggest fans. Betty

[@teewimberly6766]

Thank you have so much trouble learning how to guage

[@TheCrochetCrowd]

Happy to help!

[@monasilva5808]

Been there. Done that. :))

[@doonabalthis8489]

Great job explaining! I am also guilty of not gauging and had had to rip out several projects because of it. Frustrating! Good to know I'm not the only one who does this. Mikey, I just love you and your tutorials. you're just so real and honest and imperfect! my favorite combination of personality traits. Stay as you are and you'll go far as we used to say in the year books back in the day. just wanted to let you know we appreciate you out here. And by the way so binge watched all the seasons of Bates Motel in less than a week. enjoyed it. Take care and happy stitching!

[@robertabarnhart6240]

Or you can do something called the Golden loop.

[@DianeCee0]

Thanks for the tips. PS - Bates Motel is a great show ;)

[@robynmcguffee6281]

Love I hate the G word too and avoid it at all cost ;)

[@jenniferbrothers307]

Are u going to do a tutorial on how to make this Afghan?

[@yumitokushige8486]

This must be before yarnspiration.

[@ReallyMimi]

LOVE bates Motel!! LOL Thanks for the tips on gauge etc. BTW what is that adorable thingy hanging in the background??

[@kskc1234]

I never "swatch" either! , just saying, but Mikey I'm more inclined to say, by your own admission, it's because you didn't watch your count of your rows or stitches across. To me is you are using the same yarn throughout it should work.

[@joannv5379]

Could you actually do a gauge swatch and show us. The instructions for the gauge on any pattern always throws me off. This pattern states over center squares in single crochet, afrer blocking; so to me there's more to this particular gauge than just crocheting single crochet across and a few rows up. With me I get confused with the simplest gauges in other patterns. For example one gauge states 15 sts = 4"; 8 rows = 4" in pattern. That's it. It doesn't specify what kind of stitches to crochet. So doing a tutorial on what it actually means and crocheting a swatch or few different gauges from different patterns would be very helpful for a newbie like me.

[@jdracula7792]

❤😘😘😘

[@solisperla97]

I'm not very good at following written instructions.

[@marydale3815]

Thank you for the instructions...but, what is it with the giggle...very distracting.

[@sandyskreationz]

Could you block it?

[@TheCrochetCrowd]

Unfortunately... it's too out of alignment to salvage it.

[@jadaparks8047]

Hahahahahahaha😅😅😅😅

[@joannv5379]

Could you actually do a gauge swatch and show us. The instructions for the gauge on any pattern always throws me off. This pattern states over center squares in single crochet, afrer blocking; so to me there's more to this particular gauge than just crocheting single crochet across and a few rows up. With me I get confused with the simplest gauges in other patterns. For example one gauge states 15 sts = 4"; 8 rows = 4" in pattern. That's it. It doesn't specify what kind of stitches to crochet. So doing a tutorial on what it actually means and crocheting a swatch or few different gauges from different patterns would be very helpful for a newbie like me.