Help with pattern

[jstaff]

Hello! I am currently working on a red heart pattern listed here. https://www.yarnspirations.com/red-heart-supersized-chic-cowl

I have worked over 75% of it and realized I am using a smaller hook than called for and the cowl is coming out somewhat stiff. Is there any way to salvage it to make it less stiff and more similar to the pictures? I am not really wanting to tear out and restart but I will if there aren't any ways for a quick and easy fix. 

 

Any help would be much appreciated. Thank you. 

[gabby9565]

Hi!! I specialise more in amigurumi but I can try to help anyways  (Maybe fact check me just in case) I would probably finish it and maybe use a fabric softener when washing it and see if that does anything to create more of a drape. This is why I like to stick to amigurumi because it's supposed to be stiff haha. Hope this helps!

[Granny Square]

Fabric  softener is not going to fix your shawl I am afraid, fabric softener doesn't make things bigger, and it is stiff because it is too small.  So many questions in the help section here (usually from beginners) include the phrase "I've gone to far to rip it out" or "I don't want to rip", but that is the only way to make an item right.  Seriously. I've been crocheting for decades, but I'm human and occasionally goof up or make a change I think is going to work but doesn't, so rip I go.  I can't live with something I'm not happy with, it's going to bother me every time I look at it, or in your case it is possibly unwearable.

The very first thing you should ALWAYS do before starting a project for an item that needs to fit or to be a certain size (I am dead serious, no exceptions) is make a swatch .  Everybody has a different stitch tension--loose, tight, tall, short stiches.  The designer of your shawl, and you, are both human, and different, and the designer may have a wildly different stitch tension than you do even if you are using the same hook and yarn.   So rip your cowl and work a swatch with whatever bigger hook will give you the same gauge as the pattern.

I just looked at your pattern, your link didn't work for me but this did https://www.yarnspirations.com/red-heart-supersized-chic-cowl/RHC0110-024431M.html .  It calls for a L hook (8 MM) and the yarn size is #4 medium, so that hook is on the large end of the size range for that yarn (but not out of the question).  For that style you want the fabric to be as soft and drapey as possible, not stiff in any way.  Per the pattern, "GAUGE: 9 half double crochet stitches = 4" [10 cm]. CHECK YOUR GAUGE. Use any size hook to obtain the gauge."  (edited to add, the 'check your gauge' was capitalized in the pattern, not by me--I just copied and pasted what was there as is)  And if you need to get an even bigger hook to hit the right gauge, do it, or find another pattern that takes a hook you have in your collection. 

I'm sounding 'bossy' I guess, but you want to be pleased with the end result (of a squishy warm cowl), not a stiff one you probably wouldn't want to wear, don't you?

Edited February 26, 2022 by Granny Square

[bgs]

I agree with Granny Square in ripping it out.  I have pulled many projects out  including some afghans I was pretty far along with because something wasnt right.  I chalk it up as a learning experience.

[jstaff]

Thank you all. I decided to rip it out and go up a few hook sizes and it is much better. It pained me to rip it all out but it is looking and feeling much more like a cowl now! 

[Granny Square]

Yay, glad to hear it!  A little pain in the ripping is worth it, and healed, by feeling better having a project nice and 'fixed'