Have you struggled with crocheting garments that fit the way you want them to? There are definitely some very important keys to crocheting clothes that turn out just right.
In this post, I share my three best tips to help you create crochet garments that fit. When the fit is good, you’ll love wearing your creation! These tips can help save you time and avoid the frustration of putting tons of effort into a garment that just doesn’t work for you.
1. Check gauge frequently, not just at the beginning of your project.
Gauge is a funny thing. Definitely, always, ALWAYS swatch before you begin. Swatching is absolutely necessary to check if you have the correct stitch and row gauge the pattern calls for. It will tell you if you need to go up or down in hook size.
Swatching will also help you see if the yarn and suggested hook size make a fabric that you like. There can be quite a bit of variance within a size category of yarn. One worsted weight can be quite a bit thicker than another. Just because the yarn is the same suggested size as a pattern does not mean that it’ll always work out!
Also, this is SUPER important… be sure to check your gauge as you go, multiple times throughout the duration of your project! If you’re working on a project for a long time, over many days or weeks, it’s actually quite common for your gauge to fluctuate. Gauge can change depending on your mood, time of day, or when you’ve been repeating the same stitch for many rows.
I can’t tell you how many times crocheters would check in about a pattern not fitting correctly, and it turned out that when they re-measured, it was because their gauge had changed by just a stitch or two.
Usually, a pattern will tell you how many stitches and rows you should have per 4 inches/10 centimeters. If you’re even just a little bit off, your garment won’t turn out to be the correct dimensions or proportions the pattern indicates for your size.
For example, if you are making a sweater and the gauge is supposed to be 12 stitches and 8 rows in 4 inches, and your gauge is 11 stitches and 7 rows, then for every 4 inches of crocheting you will have .25 inches extra in both length and width.
If you are making a size that is supposed to be 44” at the bust, it would actually end up being 46.75”, a total of 2.75 inches too big.
Then, if the length was supposed to be 24” it would end up being 25.5”, a total of 1.5 inches too long.
This changes the intended fit and ease of the pattern. The difference will increase even more dramatically for every stitch and row that you are off by.
For a sweater made with a top down yoke, too big a gauge can cause excess fabric and bunching/sagging at the underarms. Too small a gauge can cause the underarm area to dig in and be extremely uncomfortable.
2. Try your garment on as you go.
This does not just apply to top down, seamless crochet garments! Of course, it’s very easy and convenient to try these on and check the fit and length.
If you’re making a crochet garment where separate pieces are seamed together, it’s still important to try it on!
Hold the panel up against your body to check for length, width, and shape. You can do this in front of a mirror, use a tripod, or have another human take pictures so you can get a good idea how it will fit. Once you have two panels for the body, pin them together along the seams with stitch markers. Or you can weave scrap yarn through to hold everything in place. Do this before you put in your final seams to make sure the fit is just the way you want.
Taking this important step will give you a chance to make any necessary changes. This ensures that you’re making a garment that will fit you the way that you want.
This leads me to my last super important tip:
3. Be willing to frog.
What if I told you that frogging was a good thing? That it actually was a vital part of your crochet journey and learning. Are you scowling at me?
I promise that once I hated frogging just as much as you. It is easy to get angry and feel like you have lost so much time. But there are some upsides to frogging, I promise!
Of course, there are tiny mistakes that show the handmade aspect of a piece and add to the overall charm. Oftentimes, I’ll leave those be.
But then there are the mistakes that affect the overall fit, look, and drape of the piece. Ones that scream and make it so you don’t even enjoy wearing the garment cuz ya just can’t let it go. These are the types of mistakes I’m talking about here.
If you’ve made a mistake, really ask yourself: am I going to still love and wear this? Be honest with yourself. If the answer is no, frogging is 100% worth it, Even if it takes longer to make than you wanted… Why put any time into a project at all if you won’t even enjoy it?
Here’s some frogging mindset shifts to help with frogging stress:
- More time doing the thing you love- you GET to create with your hands!
- Your project will turn out even better on the second run! When you frog and redo a garment, it gives you more time to acclimate to the yarn and stitch pattern. You’ll develop more even tension and consistent gauge. When learning a new technique, sometimes we can be a little tense and make the stitches too tight. On the second go, you will be much more comfortable and relaxed.
- When you put that much time and effort into a garment, you’ll be so proud! Take the time to do it right! You will have far more appreciation, and get more wear out of your work!
Frog if your gauge changes.
Frog if you mess up the stitch or row count.
Frog if the fit isn’t looking quite right.
Frog any mistake that you know will bother you and prevent you from fully enjoying your garment.
The Big Takeaways for Making Garments That Fit
If you want to love the way your crochet garments fit, take the time to stay on top of your gauge. Try them on as you go, and frog when needed!
By keeping an eye on your gauge throughout the project, you can avoid frogging tons of work. When you check the fit as you go, you’ll know if adjustments are needed before you get too far.
And if you DO make a mistake, (which is totally normal btw) I hope I’ve convinced you that it’s worth it to frog. Even if you absolutely hate it—just do it, and do it again. The more you make yourself frog, the less awful it feels! Just work on that mindset– remind yourself that while it can be annoying, it is SO VERY WORTH IT. You’ll have a garment that you love and wear time and time again!
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Free Crochet Beanie Pattern With Tons of Texture: The Floofster Hat