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HI!!
5164 views   6 replies   Latest reply: October 30, 2016 at 3:51:40 AM

 
Member since:
Oct 18, 2016
Posts: 4
stacylh77 message #1
HI!!
October 18, 2016 at 4:52:41 PM
 
Hello everyone!! My name is Stacy and I'm from Houston, TX. I'm new to this and extremely excited. I have been crocheting for several years. I usually donate the things I create to hospitals, CPS, and the homeless. My son asked me to make a graphghan for his Dad. While trying to find the perfect picture I forgot all about his Dad and started to think about my own parents. I would love to do a graphghan of my brother. He passed away in 2010. Of course the only pictures I have of him are coming out really dark. I was trying to stick with black and white for my 1st graphghan. Anyone who can offer ideas of how to lighten it to make it a bit easier please share!! Also I see the max amount of stitches is 150. Approximately how large would this be using a size J hook doing single crochet.

Thanks! I look forward to hearing from anyone with ideas.


 
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Member since:
Jul 1, 2009
Posts: 4609
Stitchboard Admin message #2
Re: HI!!
October 19, 2016 at 3:48:05 AM  (in response to stacylh77 message #1)
 
Stacy,

Welcome!  Smile

Have you tried using a graphics program to lighten your images?  If you're using Windows and need a graphics program, I know of two very powerful free ones that are available for download online which can help.  Smile

As for the maximum number of stitches, actually, that number is 500 stitches across; however, when you go to either 300 or 500 stitches, you're then talking about our Premier features, for which we have very nominal fees.  The 300 stitch option carries an introductory price of $2.99 for a full year, and the 500 stitch option carries an introductory price of $4.99 for a full year.  If you pay for the 500 stitch option, the 300 stitch option is also included, so there's no extra charge for both.  You can see more information about our Premier features here:
/pages/pattern/subscribe.php

If you're still interested in working at only 150 stitches across there's only one way to calculate how large your finished item will be.  You must crochet a gauge swatch.  There's no way around it; your gauge depends on several factors - your hook size, fiber, and it also greatly depends on how tightly or loosely you personally crochet.  There are good possibilities that even if you and I both used the same size hook and the same fiber, we'd still produce different sized swatches!

Your gauge swatch should be at least 4 inches x 4 inches.  After you end your swatch, you need to block it, then measure and calculate the number of stitches per inch by measuring fully across and dividing the number of stitches by the number of inches.  Then with that number you can calculate out the finished size of your graphghan.

So for example, let's say your finished swatch was 3 stitches to the inch and your graphghan pattern had 90 stitches across.  You'd figure 90 divided by 3, and that would tell you the finished graphghan pattern would be 30 inches across.

One thing about crocheting (or knitting) is it's all very math intensive.  It's also very necessary, especially for things like garments, since you wouldn't want to find that the cardigan you worked hours and hours to make either drags on the ground or is small enough to fit a 10 year old!  Surprised


Melanie  (cat slave and Official Feline Can Opener) =^.^=
~~~~~
I'm a beading, knitting and crochet addict.  If that means I'm admitting I have a problem, then I admit to nothing. Please refrain from helping me.


 
Member since:
Oct 18, 2016
Posts: 4
stacylh77 message #3
Re: HI!!
October 19, 2016 at 9:26:37 AM  (in response to Stitchboard Admin message #2)
 
Thank you so much for all the useful information. I was excited about doing a graphghan that I started the one for my son's father. It's so long I think 150 stitches is more than enough.

I could definitely use the graphics program. If I can get a better image my current WIP will be set aside. I have a feeling I'm going to love this site a little too much!! 😆😆


 
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Member since:
Jul 1, 2009
Posts: 4609
Stitchboard Admin message #4
Re: HI!!
October 20, 2016 at 5:01:54 AM  (in response to stacylh77 message #3)
 
Stacy,

You're very welcome!  Glad the 150 stitches works for you.  Smile   Sometimes it's better to work with a larger stitch/fewer stitches, especially if you have a strict time limit.  Smile

Here are the two graphics programs.  I can't advise on how to use them...I'm almost embarrassed to say I use an ancient graphics program, circa about 1998, LOL!  Embarassed  I'm comfortable with it, so as long as it still works, I won't switch.

One program, GIMP, is available here:
https://www.gimp.org/

The other, Paint.net is available here:
http://www.getpaint.net/index.html

Awww, thanks...we definitely hope you'll love our site a little too much!  Kiss


Melanie  (cat slave and Official Feline Can Opener) =^.^=
~~~~~
I'm a beading, knitting and crochet addict.  If that means I'm admitting I have a problem, then I admit to nothing. Please refrain from helping me.


 
Member since:
Jul 3, 2013
Posts: 575
BetwixtTheStitch message #5
Re: HI!!
October 20, 2016 at 9:51:39 AM  (in response to stacylh77 message #1)
 
Hi Stacy, and welcome.

I'm up in north Tx. I've been using this site for a few years and love it.

I can tell you that the more detail your image has, the larger you need to make your graph or you will start losing the detail.

Hope that helps.


Sherry


 
Member since:
Oct 18, 2016
Posts: 4
stacylh77 message #6
Re: HI!!
October 29, 2016 at 12:06:17 PM  (in response to BetwixtTheStitch message #5)
 
Thank you so much for this suggestion. I'm not sure that the one I'm doing now is going to look like what it's suppose to. I cant see it yet and it has me worried. maybe I should scratch this pattern and just work on the pattern for my parents.


 
Look at that smile! (Photo guaranteed unretouched)
 
Member since:
Jul 1, 2009
Posts: 4609
Stitchboard Admin message #7
Re: HI!!
October 30, 2016 at 3:51:40 AM  (in response to stacylh77 message #6)
 
Stacy,

Has the lightening process helped at all?  Smile  I also concur with Sherry; the more detail you have, the larger your graph should be, so you don't lose that detail.  Another thing to keep in mind is that in yarn the colors are much more limited.  (Which doesn't apply if you're working in black & white, of course.)  Smile


Melanie  (cat slave and Official Feline Can Opener) =^.^=
~~~~~
I'm a beading, knitting and crochet addict.  If that means I'm admitting I have a problem, then I admit to nothing. Please refrain from helping me.

 
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