I recently purchased the book Positively Crochet, mainly because I fell in love with the sweater on the cover. I started it last night and am having an interesting problem.

I made a swatch and may gauge is spot on.

The instructions start... with g hook loosely chain (my number is 110) Single crochet back, = 109 sc. Then it states... This row should measure approx 231/2 inches. Mine measures 26 hmmm The next row is a shell dc, ch1, dc, ch1, dc etc... There are supposed to be 18 shells... I have 19!

So what am I doing wrong??? This is maddening since for this sweater gauge is supposed to be real important.

The only thing that I can think of is that I am using a different yarn?? It calls for Berroco Softwist, Carron Simply Soft or Red Heart Soft. Pattern states that if you use Red Heart or Simply Soft you need to use a larger hook to get correct gauge (K). The yarn I chose to use is closer to a DK I think... it is called accord by Sierra Pacific Crafts.

O.K. so here is a side by side comparison of the yarns...

Berroco Softwist	Accord
FIBER: 59% Rayon, 41% Wool HANK WEIGHT: 1.75 oz / 50 g HANK LENGTH: 100 yds / 92 m GAUGE: 5 sts = 1" 20 sts & 28 rows = 4" (10cm) NEEDLE SIZE: 8 (US) / 5 mm	FIBER: 100 % Acrylic HANK WEIGHT: 100 g HANK LENGTH: 348 yds / 320 m TENSION 21 sts & 29 rows = 4" (10cm) NEEDLE SIZE: 6 (US) / 4 mm

So what the heck am I doing wrong? (I am off to remeasure my swatch).

Socks aren't too bad...

Well the socks that I made weren't to bad. I two evenings. So if you had a full day I would think you could easily complete them. Once you get the hang of the pattern it goes by real fast. While I really wanted to get the book Crocheted Socks: 16 Fun-To-Stitch Patterns I couldn't find it here locally. So, I settled for Stocking Feet (which I paid full price for... I just realized). I made the first one in the book. They are worsted weight, out of yarn from my stash. When you look at the cover, they are the ones in the bottom left corner. I like them. I am currently wearing them as slippers since they are to thick for shoes. I will be trying to make another pair soon. Different pattern, different yarn, but I think I like these...