Gauge for fulling?

[MidnightandOreo]

I think I remember reading somewhere to use loose stitches, but I can't find it again to verify that. I thought the writer said that they were surprised to have to use loose stitches because their common sense told them the opposite. Am I remembering correctly?


Edited because the typo in the subject was driving me crazy.

[MarvieN]

yup. If the stitches are too tight, the item won't full as well. So you want to use a bigger hook, looser stitches, and make it bigger all to compensate for the fulling and shrinking.

[HollyM]

Friction of the fibers is part of the fulling/felting process. If you use very tight stitches, it's hard for the yarn to move.
You don't want to go overboard of course, I don't think you'd be happy using a Q hook with worsted yarn for example, but probably a J or K would be good.

Unfortunately, there is no hard & fast rule. Every yarn behaves differently. <img border=0 src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v84/crochetville/toothygrin.gif" /> Even though we tend to think of swatching as a dirty word , it really can save you dissapointment down the road.

Holly

[Donna]

Even though we tend to think of swatching as a dirty word , it really can save you dissapointment down the road. Swatching a dirty word? :faint Nyah, nyah, nyah, I can't hear you, I can't hear you! :eek2

[HollyM]

Hehehe, I knew that would get you Donna <img border=0 src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v84/crochetville/lildevil.gif" />

Holly

[Donna]

:ohdear :p