Crochet a C2C Gauge Swatch & Calculate Finished Dimensions

If you’re about to start a C2C and want to know how big your finished project will be, then check out this tutorial that explains how to make a gauge swatch and use the measurements from the swatch to calculate the finished dimensions.

Crocheting a Gauge Swatch

It’s essential to crochet a gauge swatch if you wish to know how big your finished project will turn out and to find out how many yards of each yarn color will be needed. For the most accurate results, and for this tutorial, we will be crocheting a square swatch that is 10 blocks wide by 10 blocks high.

I am using a 5mm (H-8) hook and worsted weight yarn for this gauge swatch. Use the same size hook and yarn that you plan to use for your C2C project.

 

Abbreviations (US Terms):
CH = chain
DC = double crochet
SL ST = slip stitch

Instructions for Gauge Swatch

Row 1: CH 6, DC in 4th ch from hook, DC in next 2 chs. Turn.

Row 2: CH 6, DC in 4th ch from hook, DC in next 2 chs, SL ST into ch-3 space from beginning of row 1, CH 3, 3 DC in same ch-3 space. Turn.

Row 3: CH 6, DC in 4th ch from hook, DC in next 2 chs, *SL ST into next ch-3 space, CH 3, 3 DC in same ch-3 space, repeat from * to end. Turn.

Row 4 through Row 10: Repeat Row 3

Corner: Start decreasing on both ends.

Row 11: SL ST in first 3 DC, CH 3, 3 DC in first ch-3 space, SL ST in next ch-3 space, *CH 3, 3 DC in same ch-3 space, SL ST in next ch-3 space, repeat from * to end. Turn.

Row 12 through Row 17: Repeat Row 11

Row 18: SL ST in first 3 DC, CH 3, 3 DC in first ch-3 space, SL ST in next ch-3 space, CH 3, 3 DC in next ch-3 space, SL ST in next ch-3 space. Turn.

Row 19: SL ST in first 3 DC, CH 3, 3 DC in first ch-3 space, SL ST in next ch-3 space.

To finish off, I like to turn my work and SL ST in the last 3 DC to the corner before fastening off my yarn. It’s not necessary, but I like the way it looks.

 

Measuring a Gauge Swatch

Once your swatch is complete it’s time to measure it and do some calculations. If you plan to block your finished project, you should block your gauge swatch prior to measuring it.

Since we have crocheted a square swatch, the height and width should be the same, but measure in both directions to make sure. My swatch came out exactly square and measures 7.75 inches by 7.75 inches.

 

Calculate the Finished Dimensions

According to our sample, 10 C2C blocks equal 7.75 inches. Divide the measurement by the number of blocks: 7.75 / 10 = .775 inches <- This is your final measurement per block.

A typical chart size for one of my pixel crochet patterns is 80 pixels wide by 100 pixels high. We take our final measurement from above and multiply it by the total number of blocks for width and height.

Finished width:  80 x .775 = 62 inches

Finished height: 100 x .775 = 77.5 inches

Therefore, the finished project will measure 62 inches wide by 77.5 inches high.

 

Want it Smaller?

The easiest way to adjust the size of the project is to go down in hook and/or yarn size. Another method is to use the mini C2C stitch, which replaces DC stitches with HDC stitches. If using HDC stitches, CH 6 becomes CH 5, and CH 3 becomes CH 2.

Comments are closed.

  • *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *

    Written patterns and images are Copyright © of Pixel Crochet. All rights reserved. Please do not reprint or re-post these patterns, but please do link to this site to share the patterns with others. All content on pixelcrochet.com is the sole property of the site, unless otherwise stated.

    You are welcome to make items to sell for profit or for charity from these patterns as long as you don’t sell or reproduce the actual written patterns. Please use your own photos to promote your work.