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Hi, it’s Michelle 👋
Fall is quickly approaching and so are the Fall Festivals and events.
On Friday, I’m headed to the Shenandoah Fiber Festival in Berryville, VA. I’ve never been and it looks huge! I’ll be sure to report back next Sunday.
Find a festival near you with this great list from Thatched Roof Cottage.
✨ Look for a special, stand-alone issue this week on crochet-related advent calendars, so you can treat yo-self!
And, I’ve updated the website and created a new page where all the Crochet Current Tools and printables will live so you can find them at any time.
In case you are new to Crochet Current or missed an issue, find all the past issues on the website as well! 🧡
In this week’s e-mail:
Using crochet in advances scientific studies
Discounted Hooks
Breaking down when size 4 yarn is a size 4 yarn
Where do you find your patterns?
LOOPED IN
Crochet News
🔶 When Science Meets Crochet. On opposite coasts, college students at Penn State and San Diego State are using crochet to enhance their scientific fields of study. One student is crocheting spectrograms — visual sound files — to represent her work, while the other student crochets chemistry beakers and flasks as way to introduce complex concepts to others. They’re proving crochet can make even the most complex science concepts easier to grasp. (See pictures and read more: PSU and SDSU)
🔶 FREE Crochet Blanket Summit (Sept 29–Oct 2) — Four days of talks on planning, colorwork, Tunisian, interlocking, scrap blankets, borders, C2C, and motif builds from your favorite designers — designed to help you use your stash. (Read more and sign up: Knitting with Chopsticks)
🔶 Super Discounts on Hooks. The CGOA reminds members that Clover and Prym, among others, offer big discounts to Crochet Guild of America members. They are also offering classes on Tunisian crochet in October and Tunisian cables in November. (Join or find out more: CGOA)
🔶 Why is everyone wearing a crochet skull cap? These crochet caps popped up during Copenhagen Fashion Week earlier in the year, and as a “trend that’s been brewing for a while now”. they are all over the place! (See pictures: Vogue)
Are you taking advantage of your Amazon Prime perks? Whether you’re already a Prime member or considering signing up, here are 9 Prime member benefits you should be using!
For many of us, free shipping and access to exclusive shows and movies is enough reason to fork over the $14.99 per month to get Prime. But if that hasn't been enough to entice you to join Prime, maybe some lesser-known incentives like free music/podcasts, access to lightning deals, and Whole Foods discounts will tempt you to sign up.
Make sure you're not missing out, and get the most out of your Prime membership!
YARN OVER HOOK
My Weekly Favorite Finds
A curated selection of useful (mostly) crochet-related articles and tools I’ve come across recently for you to explore. All links have been vetted! 🧡
🔤 Font Preview Tool
This website is a game changer for designing documents! It gives an easy way to preview a phrase in all the fonts installed on your computer at the same time, AND allows you short list selections and compare them. (Wordmark)
🤑 What to Crochet for Craft Shows
When I see a Craft Show best seller lists, I cannot NOT read it. This one has some unusual things on it, including a fish in a jar (!) and a cat back pack key chain! (HookedByKati)
🔮 Halloween idea
Still need an idea for your Halloween costume? Check out this Twisted Witch Hat! (Ravelry)
🧡 Featured Crochet Charity
Alice’s Embrace provides hand-made prayer shawls and lap blankets to those with Alzheimer’s with contacts from across the USA. (AlicesEmbrace)
👀 ICYMI
Click below to get the FREE Crochet Current Yarn Cost Calculator that helps you choose the best deal when purchasing yarn. The printable Crochet Gift Planner Worksheet helps you plan your gifts and get ready for the holidays.
STITCH BY STITCH
🧶 How to Determine Yarn Size with WPI
One of my life’s big mysteries is the difference between worsted and bulky or chunky weight yarn. They look the same to me!
Even yarn labeled worsted sometimes doesn’t really seem worsted, it seems closer to a DK.
If you’ve ever lost a label or need to categorize your left-overs so you can make a scrap blanket, there’s a simple way to figure the size of your yarn: Wraps Per Inch (WPI).
What is WPI?
It’s actually really simple. WPI measures how many times a strand of yarn wraps around an object in the space of one inch.
That number tells you the approximate yarn weight.
How to Measure WPI:
Use a ruler, or a pencil, chopstick, knitting needle or WPI Measuring tool
Wrap the yarn around snugly—no stretching and no overlaps.
Count how many wraps fit in one inch.
WPI Quick Guide (with Standard Yarn Sizes):
💡 Pro tip: Screen shot below table for easy future reference
| # | Weight | Wraps per Inch |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | Lace | 18+ wraps |
| 1 | Super Fine (Fingering) | 14–17 wraps |
| 2 | Fine (Sport) | 12–14 wraps |
| 3 | Light (DK) | 11–13 wraps |
| 4 | Medium (Worsted/Aran) | 9–11 wraps |
| 5 | Bulky | 7–9 wraps |
| 6 | Super Bulky | 5–6 wraps |
| 7 | Jumbo | 1–4 wraps |
It’s not an exact science—fiber type and twist can change the feel—but WPI is a reliable starting point.
TIP: Use an inexpensive manual yarn winder to make scraps and half-skeins into small, neat cakes as a way to keep your yarn organized when you’re group similar sized remnants.
Once you know the category, you’ll have a much easier time picking the right hook and substituting yarns in patterns.
So next time you question the yarn, wrap it, count it, and give it a number. Problem solved!
HOOKED ON TRIVIA
What’s the main purpose of chaining 3 stitches at the start of a granny square round?
WEAVING IN THE ENDS
Thanks for reading!
🎄 Keep an eye on your inbox — the Advent Calendar Special Edition is coming this week.
—Michelle 🧡
P.S. I love hearing from you! Reply with tips on Crochet-Alongs, Advent Calendars or anything you don’t see featured but would like me to cover…and share with a crochet friend!
Where is your favorite place to find your free patterns?
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