SHOPPING, DINING, BEAUTY & EVENTS PAGE 18 theconnectionsnj.com 908-756-0017 www.HigginsFuneralHome.com 752 Mountain Boulevard Watchung, NJ 07069 Stephen Szczubelek, Mgr. NJ Lic. No. #4446 Major Credit Cards Accepted 4/10/25 4/10/25 REMOTE SUPPORT • CARRY-IN SERVICE • ON-SITE SERVICE FRANK’S BARBER & STYLING SHOP 730 SOMERSET STREET • WATCHUNG Appointments required to avoid overcrowding, walk-ins may experience a delay. 908-755-0606 HOURS Tues. & Wed. 7:30-6:00 Thurs. 7:30-8:00 Fri. & Sat. 7:30-6:00 Closed Sun. & Mon. $200 Off Any Ha NEW CLIENTS ONLY ircut Expires 4/10/25 Men's & Children's Hair Cutting FRANK’S BARBER & STYLING SHOP No Appointment Necessary 908-755-0606 Hours: Tues., Wed., Fri., Sat., 8:00-6:00 Thurs. 8:00-8:00 Closed Sun. & Mon. Children's CREATIVECORNER Pairing Needles and Hooks with Yarn By Carolyn Hanson pattern stitch. The stitch count on the gauge swatch must match the pattern. Rows per inch (length) are less critical because it is easily adjusted when creating the garment by adding or eliminating rows. There is one variable in obtaining gauge and that is you. Yes, we are all different. Some of us are tight knitters/crocheters, others are loose, and yet others are just right. Tight and loose knitters/crocheters will need to adjust needle size, up or down, to achieve the correct gauge. This is why it’s important to create a gauge swatch at the beginning of each project. If the gauge does not match the pattern requirements, change the needle up one size if there are too many stitches per inch (stitches too small), or go down one size if there are too few stitches per inch (stitches too large). Continue working on the gauge swatch until the gauge is achieved. If the ball band is no longer available, another way to determine yarn weight is by “wraps per inch” (WPIs). To determine WPIs, wrap the yarn around a ruler for 1” without stretching and without gaps. Count the wraps on the ruler’s front. Compare this number to a chart like the one below. This will provide the approximate yarn weight/ type. Use this chart to help with pairing yarn with needles/hooks. Print and laminate for handy reference or take a photo. You’ll definitely want to keep this guide! hich comes first, the yarn or the pattern? Answer: Either one. The pattern will suggest the yarn weight, needle/hook (aka needle) size and gauge needed to achieve the design. Starting with the yarn, the ball band (the paper sleeve around the yarn) will identify the yarn’s weight, needle size and gauge. The objective is to match these key elements on both the pattern and the yarn’s ball band for best results and accurate sizing. Let’s look at each element. Yarn weight is the thickness of the yarn. It ranges from lace (thin) to super bulky (thick). Suggested needles (knitting) and hooks (crochet) are identified by their diameter from thin (<1 mm) to thick (> 1”). Yarn and needles need to work together. Thin yarn uses small/thin needles. Thick yarn uses large/thick needles. Using a thin needle with thick yarn will generate a stiff fabric. Using a thick needle with thin yarn will generate a stitch that is loose and shapeless. Gauge is the number of stitches per inch (horizontal) and rows per inch (vertical). Gauge is critical when making anything that goes around the body (e.g., mitten, hat, and sweater) because stitches per inch are the measurement used around the body (width) to determine size. Achieving the required horizontal gauge will ensure that the finished item will meet the chosen size. This measurement must be verified before beginning the project by making a gauge swatch, a 4” x 4” square using the recommended W
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