I recently purchase these booties from Holland Designs. She has THE cutest patterns and I always want to buy all of her patterns. Look how cute these are (these are pictures from her site):
Cute, right? Well, for some reason I cannot seem to figure out how to create them. I know I should check gauge, but in all honesty, I have never paid attention to that. Do other people ignore this, or am I just the only one to lazy to check??? Her patterns are written very clear and I can follow along just fine, but in the end I get frustrated and throw in the towel. I should ask for her help, as she has made it very clear she will help anyone out who has questions. I guess I just don't know which questions to ask and how to explain that I really am following everything right, but my crochet skills seems to lack in the bootie making area.
To be fair, it is not just booties from Holland Designs that I can't master. It is pretty much any bootie pattern. I am bootie pattern impaired. So, for all of you who have no problem, I envy you and wish you could teach me your secrets!
I have created my own pattern for a set of booties that I can whip up just fine. Maybe I will forever be subjected to my own patterns...they just aren't nearly as cute as other patterns I have found.
If anyone has any wise words of wisdom I am open to help and suggestions. Otherwise, I will keep on practicing and hopefully I will one day see the light on what I am doing wrong!
LOL! I can totally agree with you on this one! I've tried several cute little bootie patterns and they never work. I've never really checked gauge on stuff. I just try the same weight yarn and hook and everything else works fine. I hope people have some suggestions to help!
ReplyDeleteWhen I have a problem with a pattern I have my husband read it to me as I follow along. Just being able to keep my eyes on the project helps as I work continious. He has no idea what he is saying but by the end I have a clue. ;) Keep trying!
ReplyDeleteI hear ya! I bought the Little Button Loafers and crocheted the durned things at least 8 times and every time I get shoes for a Cabbage Patch doll! They just won't work. Very frustrating!
ReplyDeleteI have bought SEVERAL pairs of booties from holland designs, I love her patterns, but I can't for the life of me get two of the booties to turn out the same!! I think I have baby bootie add or something. =)))
ReplyDeleteI never check gauge...I have found though that sometimes if I change hook size or yarn weight that I'll have an easier time of making the finished product look like a picture or product from someone elses pattern. I'm a tight crochet-er, sometimes those little tension changes can make all the difference.
ReplyDeleteI just found your blog and I LOVE it! I've been crocheting for a while now and feel like I am just now making good progress. Understanding it more and everything, but I totally get what you mean with gauges. I never pay attention to them and sometimes I think it has caused me problems. But I have made one successful pair of booties and with the same pattern I have gotten stuck and have not been able to do it again. So I'm glad you figured it out!
ReplyDeleteI am absolutely addicted to baby booties and have made them from lots of patterns. I think sylver designs (hookcandy.com) patterns are the easiest and best explained by her illustrations. I have finally gone and written my own pattern now though since I have made so many. I always wanted to change whatever pattern I bought so it's time to do my own thing!
ReplyDeleteI can't do booties either! If I finish a set, they just look like oval tubes--no shape to them. I knit booties, but I REALLY REALLY want to make all those cute crochet ones!
ReplyDeleteI have the same problem i have been crocheting for 9 years and i have just now started checking guage some thing HA HA. HONESTLY i hate making booties i would rather take a knitting needle to the eye. I get so frustrated. I have found one bootie pattern than i love, and have been able to make, i wrote my own pattern a few years ago LOVED IT i could make a pair in about 30 minutes, THATS 2 booties (not with the pom poms of course) in 30 minutes. I honestly hate buying patterns because you never know how easy to follow they really are. This is the pattern i use now and its easy to follow and i love it. I will give you a tip make both booties the same day. I have learned that my tension is different provided how TENSE my life is ha ha, and on different days i get different size booties. I ALSO use two separate skeins and i do not finish off a bootie till they are both done and i can compare size. THAT WAY i dont end up with 2 different sizes i can frog if i have to. Oh here is the pattern i love and its EASY EASY http://www.e-patternscentral.com/detail.html?prod_id=7317&cat_id=&criteria=bootie
ReplyDeleteDitto! I have more trouble with booties than any other item I crochet. Do I ever check gauge?? Heck no! But that's not the problem. I just can't get a bootie pattern right - not ever. I always end up frogging at least one or two rows, then "fudge" with the stitch count. What's worse is, after I've "fudged" I have to try to remember how I did it so I do the SAME thing on the other bootie (heaven forbid I should stop crocheting and actually write down my, umm, "improvement").
ReplyDeleteIf I could figure out a perfect bootie pattern I'd be very happy, since even in spite of the trouble, a pair of booties is my "go to" gift for any new baby.
You are not alone!