Crochet help

Don't worry about curling while you are working on it. It happens, it's normal.

When you are finished, you'll block it flat, and it should be fine.

Caryn

As Caryn said, it's normal. I'll add that the first row normally curls, and it "straightens" as you add more rows/weight. Just make sure you're consistently working in the top of the single crochet stich every time so your piece doesn't get twisted in the first row. (I seem to always twist the chains and it doesn't seem to matter so much there...but in the second row of SC, you have to have them straight!)

sue

Thanks Caryn, Susan and Mirjam for responding! I don't have a bigger sized hook yet. I got a beginner set and this is the biggest I have. It does seem to be curling less as I get more done (about 2/3 done now). I am making sure that the stitches aren't twisted tho as far as I can tell... but how do I block? Sorry I'm so completely new at this.

Don't apologize for being new at crochet! We were all "new" at one point in time. Even old timers have questions.

Blocking is pinning out the object to size and steam pressing. If it was a doily, you'd wash and pin until dry.

Large pieces I've never pinned but merely steam pressed the edges. Or for things like afghans done in strips, steam pressed the individual crocheted strips without pinning prior to putting them together.

Dianne

magikjaz wrote:

I block by getting the piece good and wet and laying it out in the proper shape on a towel. The results seem to last better for me than steaming does. With thick things like scarves and sweaters I don't always use pins just gently shape the piece and let it dry that way.

Caryn

Steaming does require patience, and lots of it. But you can steam an area and pat it gingerly so that it cools more quickly. Once cool, you can move onto the next section.

Dianne

snipped-for-privacy@aol.com wrote:

Thanks! I should be done tonight with my first project and try blocking it then. Tomorrow I try a new project...I'm thinking afghan Jaz

Most of my crochet stuff barely needs blocking, that I could steam fairly effortlessly.

I knit a lot of arans, some using pretty dense wool. Steaming those would be such a royal PITA, when a quick spin thru the rinse cycle in my washing machine with cold water will do the job. Not to mention that really soaking the fibers helps them retain their blocked shape better in my experience.

Caryn (who finished a knit sweater on Tuesday and will finish a crochet one tonight-if I stay awake that long)

ooooh that sounds tempting! I think I will try this! One question...would i block before or after I add the fringe?

Never mind I did this after the fringe (which took me forever lol next time I'm making the fringe long and cutting after i attach) and it turned out beautifully! I'm taking a pic tomorrow/today before i give the scarf to my mom...then it's afghan time! Jaz

Sorry I didn't see your question sooner, been working a lot the last few days.

I dislike fringing, it adds a lot to scarves and ponchos, but the process isn't much fun.

Glad you are happy with your scarf tho, and good luck with the afghan!

Caryn

wow you aren't kidding! It took me FOREVER to fringe! Here's a pic tho:

mom loved it and called me today to tell me she got alot ofcompliments on it. Today I'm working on a matching hat before I'm ontothe afghan! I'm so hapy cuz I've learne4d 2 new things...increasing andcrocheting in the round.Jaz

wow you aren't kidding! It took me FOREVER to fringe! Here's a pic tho:

My mom loved it and called me today to tell me she got alot of compliments on it. Today I'm working on a matching hat before I'm onto the afghan! I'm so hapy cuz I've learne4d 2 new things...increasing and crocheting in the round. Jaz

I have learned that my tension is too tight when I do the initial chain, so I use a hook 2 sizes bigger than what is called for to do the chain then switch to the correct size. Sometimes I can get away with only 1 size larger, but 2 sizes seems to work the best for me.

I also use a hook 1 or 2 sizes smaller to work in the loose ends.

I have never blocked or steamed what I have crocheted except doilies. With the Acrylic yarn it has never seemed needed. If I use a different fiber then I may have too...not looking forward to it though :)

I also don't usually do fringe. It is time consuming and no fun at all for me. Also, I have had it become knotted and tangeled when an article like a shawl is wahed and dried.

I guess there is more diversification with us crocheters than I would have realized. Ain't it Great!

Naomah

Another approach to eliminating too-tight base chains that choke up or too-loose ones that sag is suggested by Lion yarns. "It creates a base chain and foundation row of sc at the same time-easy, sturdy and elastic, quite an elegant solution, especially useful for necklines and waistlines."

"Begin with a slip knot, chain two, insert hook in second chain from hook, draw up a loop, yarn over, draw through one loop, yarn over and draw through two loops. You have one single crochet with its own chain at the bottom. Work next stitch under loops of that chain. Insert hook under two loops at the bottom of previous stitch, draw up a loop, yarn over and draw through one loop, yarn over and draw through two loops. Repeat for length of foundation."

Try it. It works for me.

- Marleen

Naomah wrote:

I've been crocheting since I'm a kid, which seems like eons ago, and never saw this method before. It looks fabulous and besides the elimination of too tight foundation row, it's got to be easier to count the stitches.

I can't wait to try it. Thanks much.

Lucille

It's called double chain, and I've seen it used as the foundation row for something that will require crocheting up one side of the base chain and down the other.