Last week, DaniellaJoe had a post about tension in crochet. Traditionally, I crochet very tightly, but have come to realize that it sometimes depends on circumstances. When I am learning a new pattern, I tend to crochet more tightly as I am concentrating. When I would get home from a long day at work, my crochet would be tighter than if I were sitting down on a weekend.
I was a coaster-making fool this weekend, it’s the only crafty thing I did each day. We were able to convince my father-in-law to leave his house and come over on Sunday, and he likes watching me work. While we visited I was able to complete the initial work on all of the coasters I’m making for Christmas gifts. They still need to have the ends woven in, so they don’t count as done yet, but the hooking part is complete.
I have a set of these I made for myself back in May. The one on the top in the photo is from May and is the first one I ever made, the one on the bottom was made this week and somewhere around number 30. These were made using the same pattern, the same yarn and the same hook. I’m assuming the difference is mainly my comfort and familiarity with the pattern. If I ever decide to make a pair of socks, I’ll have to remember that I will probably need to make three since the first will probably end up kid-sized based on how tightly I work when I am in learning mode.
alookatthelittlethings 
The size difference is amazing. For coasters, I would like the size variety.
I could not believe how different the size was either. It really shows the difference in how tension effects the piece.
I am the same way! I enjoyed DaniellaJoe’s post too! 🙂 The coasters are very nice and love the colors and pattern! Way to go on completing all the sets!
Thanks! It feels good to be working through my Christmas to-make list.
Wow that is a big difference. Very pretty
I like to think of myself as laid back, but apparently, there is stress stored up somewhere that comes out through my hook.
The difference between the two is amazing, who would have thought that could happen?
I would have expected a small difference in size, but these really showed how much a project can change. It is pretty amazing, and something I need to keep in mind in the future.
This is a good lesson to have learned!
I’m afraid it is one I need to learn over and over, but recognizing the problem is the first step to remedying it.
Ditto, as a new knitter (and hopefully learning to crochet soon) this is a very good post!
You illustrated it perfectly 🙂 and thanks for the mention 🙂
Your post stayed in my head. I see the difference in my crochet class when we look at everyone’s work side by side, but this was the first time I really saw the difference in my own crocheting.
🙂