Now, as much as I wish there were, there actually is not a magical way for me to bestow on you the knowledge and skills needed to create perfectly fitting and draping garments every time. Wouldn’t that be amazing? There is however the long way around and that is practice…yuck.
I CAN however give you three things that should definitely be a part of your routine when you make a garment. These are not the only things that will take you to garment making success, but they will give you a solid foundation to start with. So here’s a quick run-down on my suggestions for the 3 things to NEVER skip when you are crocheting a garment.
#1
MEASURE YOURSELF
Why: It’s really good to measure yourself EVERY time you make a garment (or whoever you are making for if possible). My body measurements don’t change all that much from day to day but how a garment fits DOES change. Is it fitted? Loose? Does it have shaping? Maybe I don’t like crop tops or maybe the pattern is written to be form fitting, but I want it to have an oversized fit. I’ll need all of that information and correlating measurements to make the right choices about size and modifications.
How: You’ll need a flexible measuring tape to take your body measurements. I love my retractable one. I like to measure myself closely so I have my body measurements and can choose a size. I also like to hold up the measurements from the size I’ve chosen against myself with the measuring tape. I can make sure a cardigan closes or that it falls at a length I like. I ALWAYS check the armholes…things never fit my arms!
If you are not sure how to take measurements. I do have a printable available that has some of the more commonly used measurements in crochet garments, with explanations and graphics to help you know how and where to take the measurement. It even has a tracker so you can write them down! You can find that in my Etsy shop, or sign-up for my email list and get it for FREE!
#2
TAKING GAUGE
Why: I know, it’s tedious but it really is super important! In my opinion, gauge has two crucial roles to play in how your garment turns out. It’s going to help you get a similar fabric & drape as the designer did. (Fiber content shows up here also but that’s for another time.) It’s going to get you stitches that are a similar size to the designers. Ensuring that when the pattern is followed the measurements of your garment will be similar to the designers and the intended size.
How: Almost all patterns have the yarn and hook information listed. It will also provide a set of stitches and rows that the designer got in a specific size square with that hook and yarn. You’ll crochet a square to compare to the designer’s square. You’ll want to make this slightly bigger than the swatch measurement given so that you can measure without including the edges of your square. Measure your piece, if you have fewer stitches and rows in your swatch, you’ll go down a hook size. If you have more stitches and rows in your swatch, you’ll go up a hook size. You can use an ordinary school ruler for this or there are some great gauge ruler options out there!
#3
TESTING FIT
Why: Even if you decide to skip out on #1 and #2. I BEG you, please test your fit as you go! Now of course this might not be possible if you don’t have the person you’re making for (but you should see…ahem…#1, because concise and complete measurements is the next best thing!) but if you are making for yourself definitely take a few moments periodically to try your garment on. Frequent try-ons will help you to confirm the size you chose is fitting as you like, that any alterations you made are working, that the drape is working up desirably and so much more.
How: I do two things to check that my sizing is coming out correctly as I go. I measure the piece flat on a hard surface and take note that the measurements seem on track with the size I need. I also try-on physically to make sure that those measurements are working for me. If it’s panels, I’ll hold them up or I’ll use stitch markers to pin pieces together so that I can actually put it on before ever doing any seaming. I like to use my dress form also to help me get a good look at how the fabric is looking, especially in the back and how that is laying. And of course, once it’s a solid piece it’s a little easier to try on. Make sure you do some twirls in that amazing garment too!
Again, I can’t promise you if you do these three things that you’ll make perfect garments. I am pretty confident though, that you’ll be much closer to it if you take the time to do them. I hope this was helpful, now go make some beautiful crochet garments!
