The pattern requires 9 stitches and 10 rows per 2 inches. This was recommended using 6.5 mm Tunisian Crochet hook.

I went away for a mini city break (the break was mini, not the city) last week (end of January 2025), during which I decided to make a start on the swatch. I had finally unwound the disastrous ball I'd made the week previous (see Elf Coat Update 2 – A chair does not a swift make) and rewound it on into a new ball, so was ready to start.

After a long and wet walk in Cambridge, I managed to find somewhere dry and warm to crash with a drink and a burger. I made went to start my swatch only to realise my Tunisian Crochet set didn't have 6.5mm hook. So my only choice was to try with a 6mm hook. This gave me 8 stitches to 2 inches, which was close, but not what was required for the pattern.

The next day, I went on the hunt for a 6.5mm hook. I couldn't get a compatible TC hook, but found a good normal hook which would be fine for a small swatch. The 6.5mm hook gave me fewer stitches per 2 inches than the 6mm, which in hindsight makes sense.

I reached out on Mastodon and got some good help suggesting I both make a bigger swatch and to drop down to a 5.5mm hook (which my kit did have) to see if that worked better.

My third tension square was made using the 5.5mm hook and large enough that the swatch ruler covered it and I finally got my 9 stitches per 2 inches. I think the rows a bit more, but I don't think that matters as much.

With this, I am now ready to cast on my first section of the 'skirt' section of the coat. I think I'll start with the 'peaked section' of the skirt, which I will put at the back in the middle, to give it a bit of shape. The rest of the panels will be straight.

#crochet #TunisianCrochet #FiberArts #FibreArts