Speed or Stitch Definition?
Yes, we are in the era of faster gets more attention, but is it all it’s stitched up to be? There are things to consider that have changed my perception of crochet over the years.
What is the purpose of the finished items?
What is the best presentation for the stitch itself?
Will the yarn I have selected be the best option?
The obsession with speed most often comes with chunky weight and larger hooks. Even if they’re using the hook and yarn a pattern calls for, some crocheters can maintain a crochet gauge, but speed sometimes comes with exaggerated movements of the hook. For example, during a community blanket project, each participant was asked to crochet 7-inch squares. One woman’s square ended up closer to 10 inches, which meant it couldn’t be used for a community blanket as it didn’t fit. You could ram her fingers and toes through her square. She was happy with her square, was done in half the time of everyone else, and got a round of applause—but realistically, it didn’t look great. It looked rushed and lost its stitch definition through pulling too much yarn with each yarn over. For specific projects, that is great, but when sizing matters, not so much. The purpose of the square was to connect with others, but the square was never to be included.
What Is Stitch Definition?
We refer to projects as having ‘stitch definition’. This means that the pattern will showcase the work applied, which could be textures, the sheen of yarn, or, of course, color. For example, some great stitches, such as herringbone stitches, will not showcase so well in fluffy yarns like Bernat Blanket. However, in Bernat Super Value, you will see the stitch definition. The intention of the stitch is evident in some yarns and lost in others.
Tips for Improving Stitch Definition
With today’s trends of yarn being spattered with color instead of solids or even variegated yarn, I’ve found that reducing the hook size, if there is no pattern to follow, gives a finished item a better overall look. A smaller hook means the color can carry over a stitch or two more to flow better. Sometimes with larger hooks, especially with variegated yarns, the color can look scattered instead of intentional. This is a game changer for me and lifts my spirit higher in the end with a project I know looks better with a simple change.
Think about a crochet doily. Often, the same pattern is used with an increased hook size or chunkier yarn, but it just doesn’t add the same oomph to the overall look. The yarn or the hook size can compromise the result. While it’s great to finish projects quickly, it’s better to have a finished item I am more proud of if the stitch definition is important to me.
Speed or Stitch Definition? It’s Up To You!
The picture above shows the exact stitch count, the same yarn, and a different hook size. You have to decide for yourself. Take a moment now to think about your journey. Have your goals or outlook changed since the first few years of your crochet journey? I know mine have several times.
Michael Sellick, known as “Mikey” by crocheters, pioneered crochet instruction on YouTube, transforming a simple idea into the thriving community, The Crochet Crowd. Driven by the uplifting moments he witnessed, Mikey has fostered a global community since 2008, designing over 300 patterns, including his popular “Study of” series—stitch samplers reflecting current themes. Read more about Mikey here.