According to a 2017 survey by the Craft Yarn Council, more than twice as many people responded that they prefer crochet to knitting.  51% of respondents prefer to crochet, 20% love both skills and 29% prefer to knit.  So, those of us who knit are in the slight minority!  71% enjoy crochet, and only 49% enjoy knitting.

How long should a hat be before decreasing?

Distance from the cast-on edge

Baby 4”

Toddler 5”

Child 6”

Women’s. 7-8”

Men’s.  8-8.5”

These are just estimates. The answer is really dependent on when and how the decreases are implemented. If you prefer a slouchy look, add 1-2” to the length.

Gauge in knitting is simply the size of each stitch and the space between stitches. It is measured in stitches (horizontal measurement) and rows (vertical measurement). Since each stitch is usually pretty small, gauge is measured in stitches or rows per inch (2.54 cm), or 4 inches (10 cm).  The smaller number of stitches per inch, the larger the stitches.  Example:  4 stitches per inch will be larger stitches than 20 stitches per inch. The larger stitches are referred to as a larger gauge.  

Most people don’t have a clear plan of what to knit next.  When choosing a new cast-on, you might search for a pattern to pair with a certain yarn you found on sale (this is TOTALLY me!).  You might have heard a podcaster or “knitfluencer” talking about the latest trendy pattern.  Or you just knit whatever new pattern your fave designer just released.  And let me tell you, friends, this is my usual way of being!  I’m very much distracted by the next shiny object I see.

*squirrel!!*

But for those of you who like systems, and like to be a little more in charge of your knitting, let’s look at a few questions to ask yourself before you cast on, or even spend a penny.