Crochet a sweater with five skeins of yarn. Yes please! I am always looking for ways to stretch my yarn a little farther. And I found my excellent tips and exquisite patterns in Robyn Chachula's new book Simply Crochet. Robyn shares with us

Float Cardigan by Robyn Chachula

Not all stitches are created equal. Have you ever noticed that sweaters with tall stitches, like double or treble crochet, usually drape and flow easier than single crochet sweaters? The reason for this is actually quite simple. Those little squat stitches, like single crochet, use more yarn than their taller counterparts.

	Sidney Cardigan by Robyn Chachula

So why do those taller stitches use less yarn? Well, think about how the single crochet stitch is made. You insert your hook into the row below and yarn over, making a very short stitch. Though the treble crochet also has to pass through the row below and come up; on tall the rest of the yarn overs, it only has to pull through loops on the hook and does not go through the row again. That little extra yarn you need to go through the row with the shorter stitches really starts to add up. Another way of thinking about it is to consider the amount of "air" between the stitches. Single crochet stitches are so short and squat and crammed together that they have little space between the stitches, while treble crochet stitches are long and lean and have lots of space. The more space or "air" in the fabric, the less yarn you will need.

Spa Shawl Top by Doris Chan

Now, how can you use this information to your advantage? When choosing a stitch pattern to use, keep in mind the airiness of the stitches. Lacy stitches tend to use the least yarn, while cables tend to use the most. If you have your eye on some beautiful but expensive yarn, look around for a project that uses a lacy stitches pattern or tall stitches to get a lot of bang for your buck. On the other hand, if you really have your heart set on creating some fabulous cables or you've fallen in love with a dense stitch pattern, go with a less expensive yarn or try making smaller projects, such as a scarf or a hat.

	Giselle Vest by Simona Merchant-Dest

You will find more tricks for using your yarn economically as well as tips for organizing your yarn stash in Simply Crochet: 22 Stylish Designs for Every Day by Robyn Chachula. Order your copy today and begin crocheting a beautiful wardrobe with innovative patterns that fit your yarn budget.

Best wishes,