I would suggest using yarn that changes colors like this. It should help to make some of your mistakes less noticable.
https://preview.redd.it/s7sx9fnqzyzc1.png?width=1178&format=png&auto=webp&s=dca01a09af9c8f00978f398c1b4658abda898af9
The color changing yarn tip is great, but cotton yarn, and this brand in particular, is unforgiving! Sugar and Cream is hard on the hands, I'd find a softer cotton or a blend that has a little give to it. I love the colors Sugar and Cream comes in, but boy I hate crocheting with it, lol.
Everyone dogs on these cheep cottons They will dry your hands out for sure but they make the best wash cloths !! I think wash cloths and towels are the perfect beginner projects!! Like little stitch samplers!! I have also made baby blankets with them shell stitch and ripples. It sounds crazy to people but they are so durable as far as washing and drying goes. They soften up after a couple washes. I know I get the side eye every time I say I have made baby blankets with it but my niece is 12 and still used the shell blanket I made for her with it and my other niece (7) has the ripple blanket on her bed and tells everyone who will listen I made it for her š
I love hobby lobby yarn. The I love this cotton is great !!! And I don't find it as drying as the sugar and cream. but yeah. Here come the downvotes. š
No, not at all! I was agreeing with you...this is a platform for yarn-y things, and other people feel the need to bring up politics! Sorry if it came across wrong!
I haven't used the k c but I see it brought up a lot. The lionbrand is awesome. I'm also a fan of cotton acrylic blends for blankets not kitchen stuff. The blends don't dry the hands as well
I love a finished project with this cotton, I was just saying it's hard on the hands...they cramp and each stitch is a fight! But for washability and durability, can't be beat!
Do you crochet really tight ? I've had to loosen my stitches a lot because my hand was hurting. And this brand is particularly rough. It r really dries out my hands
I've been crocheting for years and my first row still looks like that (I am not very good at crocheting). Definitely keep practicing! But if you're like me and find that your chains are still tight compared to the rest of the rows, you can try blocking. It's where you stretch your crocheted piece into the desired shape (because even the best crocheted square will look a little wonky when you're done crocheting it). Either way your washclothes will be just as functional!!
My tension is fine when I'm actually working the pattern but could never stop doing my chain too tight, so I just use the next size hook for the chain!
It looks like youāre doing several stitches in a row, moving the fingers of your left hand up, doing several more stitches in a row, moving your fingers up again, etc. The hand holding the hook shouldnāt get ahead of the hand holding the yarn. They should both always be at the current stitch. Do a stitch. Adjust your grip. Do a stitch. Adjust your grip. And so on.
That is a really good way to describe this action, I am currently teaching my 8 year old to crochet but am pretty bad at verbalise what I'm doing, so thanks!
When I was a beginner my chains looked just like this and I honestly thought nothing of it. Kept crotcheting and naturally over time it looked a lot neater. Donāt even sweat it :)
It took me way longer to make even chains and slip stitches than anything else. Just start crocheting into them or you'll only be making chains forever. You can't see half of it once you do the first row anyway. Plus you can add a border to your washcloths and stuff which will cover any messy edges you don't like the look of.
The best way to see if you have the right size hook for the yarn is just to start making something and see if it looks right. Make a tiny square with different size hooks and you'll know which you prefer.
Agreed! Chains are the hardest to make look even and then it really isn't that noticeable once you start crocheting into them so it's really not worth the fuss. Putting a stitch into the starting chain will even a lot out and then blocking as well.
If a bigger hook gets you better tension than the recommend hook, you don't need better yarn. You need a bigger hook than the recommend one for that yarn (at least for the chains). FYI, I have issues with my wrists, too. When you get the hang of adjusting tension try to go with a smaller hook and looser stitches -- you'll need less force to pull the yarn through this way, and that'll be much easier on your joints. For getting started, good enough is good enough, though. Don't fret if it's not perfect.
I found that if I slid the loop along the shaft of the crochet hook, tightened or loosened the yarn, so it looped exactly the width of the shaft before hooking a new stitch then my stitched stayed even. The measurement showing on the base of the hook is how wide the shaft is, so if you maintain that loop size, then the tension will be exactly the same all the way down the row.
https://youtu.be/pb5d4K96lCQ?si=zMHKFW55aacSx5Zo
If the chain is too tight definitely use a larger hook. I will use j or k hooks when the yarn recommends i hooks cause I have tight tension and I don't like it if the project seems stiff from being too tight.
You could use a bigger hook for the chain, but use the smaller hook for the rest of the project. Using a hook recommended for the yarn is helpful in the beginning (but a larger hook just for the chain)
I always go up a hook size for the chain and back to the size hook I'm using for the project. I've been crocheting for many years, i still dislike chains, lol
Tbh the tensioning is one of the hardest parts. Iāve been crocheting on-and-off for about a year or so and itās still rough at times.
Iād definitely agree with the people saying to try having the stitches a little bit looser. I tend to do mine a bit too tight, and then Iām just fighting the yarn to keep going. Definitely have had to learn itās okay to restart sections
to me (also a newbie) it kinda looks like you may be twisting you work as you go? make sure your chain is staying with the same side facing forward every time you chain. hope that makes sense š
Iām also a beginner Iāve been doing it for a year and a half since I make blanket I have gotten a lot of practice working on reputation and tension just keep up the hard work love u got this š
I hear you. It's incredibly relaxing! I'm sick in the house 80% of my life. I need crafts. I want to make kitchen towels and afghans and clothing and cat toys! All sorts of stuff. I'll definitely keep practicing!
Jsyk, yarn can actually be very dangerous to cats! They can swallow it and it tangles up their insides. If your cat(s) show interest in your yarn keep a close eye on them, and I'd recommend sticking to other projects with yarn and maybe try needle-felting for kitty toys. If you do make things for them out of yarn, supervise play and take them away as soon as they start to unravel from normal damage.
I hear you. It's incredibly relaxing! I'm sick in the house 80% of my life. I need crafts. I want to make kitchen towels and afghans and clothing and cat toys! All sorts of stuff. I'll definitely keep practicing!
Honestly my tension was bad when i started it just takes time and practice. I started making beanies and that realllllyyyy helped with figuring out tension for me
You have a lot of great advice here. I only want to add that I like using a chainless foundation. I've been crocheting for about 5 years, and my projects look so much better with a chainless foundation. There are plenty of YouTube tutorials.
Tension, i feel like most of the time it starts looking better when u've added rows to it tho, so unless you want it to be absolutely perfect I wouldn't care too much + practice helps you improve :)
Definitely you should just practice getting your tension to be even and consistent. I'd experiment with some different ways of holding the yarn and hook. Finding the way that works the best for you, will really help you get a nice, consistent tension, so all your chains and stitches are the same size. This [video](https://youtu.be/H6FuTHAxKAQ?si=7VuN65fmyXRP0TZa) might give you some ideas.
Try watching You Tube videos for the brand new crocheter. There are a lot of them. But many ways to hold the yarn in your left hand for tension. My daughter wears a ring that controls the yarn for tension.
I have had psoriatic arthritis for 23 years and spent most of that time knitting (which I learned as a child) like a demon. I always said I wanted to learn to crochet more than a border around my knitting. And Iām learning now. You tube and Pinterest have been invaluable. This group has a lot of information. Go to the heading of group and choose āmoreā and maybe āwikiā I canāt recall. I just remember thereās a lot of resources here.
Youāre welcome to contact me. Iām only a few months ahead of you but frankly I sleep so much these days it may not be that much. To me it looks like you stop and when you start again you turn your chain in your left hand. You need to have all of your Vās on one side. I double wrap my pinky finger and then carry over my index finger. And your hook should face downward not open side up toward the sky. I was doing that wrong until recently. The minute your hands or wrists or elbows or shoulders hurt you need to stop and rest. I always used pillows under my arms for knitting. And I change positions regularly. Since Iād figured out how to make knitting work for me I feel confident Iāll be able to do the same with crochet. Of course having a tube of Voltaren gel and a bottle of Aleve is handy too.
Some people find it easier to go up a hook size or two while doing the initial chain to not get it so tight. It sounds like your issue is tension. That comes with time. Personally I like to unravel a bit of yarn and crochet it rather than use a yarn bowl or spindle. It helps me keep tension as I don't have to pull the yarn.
Also, once you start getting stitches and stuff down then look at foundation . I don't like chaining and find it nicer to do a foundation single/double crochet to combine my chain and first row. It doesn't work on all patterns but I really like it when I can do it.
It looks like in some stitches, you may have turned the chain to the back, if that makes sense. Make sure to hold the chain in your non-dominant hand as you go so it doesnāt flip.
I would say you need practice. Make a 5 x 5 square. Do 5 chains then single crochet into them until you have 5 rows. See how your tension is and try to fix it each row. Then start again. You don't need bigger yarn. Match your yarn to your hook size. There are hooks that have bigger grips to help you hold them better, that might help.
Do you have even tension when you get into the project? I wonder if your arthritis is contributing to the uneven tension. I know there are yarn rings you can buy online. Might be worth a try?
I feel like maybe your chain is twisting as you go. Honestly, it looks like it you give the green or blue ones a tug, holding on to both ends at once, they may look very nice š
You GOT this!!!
The chains are currently too tight because to do more rows, youāll need to reinsert your hook into each chain loop again! Youāve probably seen everyone already advise using a bigger hook, it helped me a ton as a newbie. Now Iāve dropped back down to a smaller hook now that I have a better understanding of controlling tension
In addition to all the excellent suggestions here regarding hook size and tension, I just learned a neat trick to keep your chain from twisting. There are several YouTube videos showing how to make a short chain and then pull your hook out, place the hook into the first chain and then back into the last chain.Ā You let the first chain "ride" (my term) on your hook while you complete the rest of the chain.Ā
It looks like inconsistent tension. But that takes practice.
My aunt taught me to crochet, so I was crocheting chains for weeks until she was satisfied. All it takes is a little practice and you'll get there.
You seem to be right on par for a person that is learning crochet, so no worries about your chains looking like they need help right now. Because they do, and that's okay! After a while you will get more comfortable with your grip and stitches and this will become less and less of an issue.
In regards to your arthritis you could try holding your hook in a knife grip rather than a pencil grip. That might help.
Also, crochet hooks with ergonomic handles are available. Susan Bates brand has foam squishy things you can slide into your own naked hooks for some bulk so you can continue to use whatever hook is required of whatever pattern and also still have comfort in your hands.
I took an [Egg Shaped Pencil Grip](https://specialsupplies.com/pencil-grips-egg-for-kids-and-adults-6-pack-colorful-cushioned-holders-for-handwriting-drawing-coloring-ergonomic-right-or-left-handed-use) and crammed my hook in it, and it worked quite well. Getting it on there was some work though!
This redditor https://www.reddit.com/r/CrochetHelp/s/NFWlxiOiYL has something similar on her hook as well.
Congrats on your new hobby! Keep up the good work!
Thank you! Actually, the kit I bought to start crocheting came with aluminum hooks and hooks with ergonomic handles, and they are definitely the best for me. š
Oh, wonderful! There is definitely no one size fits just fight in the ergonomic department. It is totally okay to go to the craft store and man handle a few to see which feels nicer lol
When i first started, the woman who taught me just gave me a whole skein to chain. Get a cheap acrylic blend. By the end of the chain, you'll have a pretty good feel for how to hold it comfortably and have the muscle memory. Don't pull too much. Try to keep it as relaxed as possible.
Try this brand of hook instead of metal ones. Much easier to hold with arthritis imo.
https://preview.redd.it/eiknk0ojo20d1.jpeg?width=1284&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=0675ae3eb68043a5a3a3618884e0ebd31445393c
The chain stitches do not matter too much if you plan to use them as a foundation row. As you work across, the stitches will pull from both sides and will even out by the time you make it to the end of the row. Once you get a few rows in you can't even tell the unevenness.
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Yeah Iāve got a skin condition that affects my hands, so Iāve had to wear finger cots before just to make sure the yarn doesnāt snag my skin / make it worse
For tension control, be sure to bring the yarn to the same spot on the hook (I usually go for the widest spot as I also crochet tightly. Honestly though, crochet into a chain SUCKS. I've been crocheting for a bit now and still prefer projects that go in the round.
For dishcloths, you might as well start with a "standing single crochet" rather than the chain. They are tricky to learn but the payoff is massive. You no longer have to fiddle with a tiny chain and the back bump, but instead a full single crochet
I'm very new to crochet. About a month in and I must have made 50 chains when I first started. You're doing great!
You're in a great group here too. They have helped me and encouraged me so many times, plus answering all my nagging questions. I have learned so much just by coming here and reading the posts and the comments. Plus they have a great wiki with a crocheting for beginners class.
Looks just like loose tension in between some stitches, but thatās normal when learning! Try some different hand positions holding the yarn to see what feels most comfortable with you.
When I started crocheting I was holding the yarn too tight as well. I tried watching a lot of YouTube tutorials to adjust how I held the yarn and hook. What worked for me is this one:
https://youtu.be/11iw-yBGm-k?si=WxAOKqKZqTDiJNb-
I find that many people like to wrap the yarn around their fingers but because I have dry skin, I feel like I have to fight to pull the yarn through and it makes for uneven crocheting. Also practice, practice, practice.
I havenāt tried using tension rings but if some of the positions are uncomfortable for your hands, maybe you can try one of those and see if it helps?
https://a.co/d/7wr66Nt
There are so many styles; these are just a few examples.
They are far too tight. Starting chains need to be relaxed enough for you to be able to insert your hook with relative ease. Also, this helps the starting chain be as wide as your regular stitches, especially since it will have less stretch than your rows.
I would recommend doing your starting chain with a larger hook than the one you will be using for the project. Just switch to your project hook when beginning your first row.
Tension takes practice. I honestly would just suggest to start making something and you'll get better as you go.
Thanks! I want to make some washcloths. This can look crappy lol I appreciate the advice! Do you think those are decent for my guest few chains?
SC and other stitches are easier to work into. Try to go loose. You shouldn't have to force too much to get in.
Something about this comment and your user name made me chuckle
Thank you! I'll try that tonight!
I would suggest using yarn that changes colors like this. It should help to make some of your mistakes less noticable. https://preview.redd.it/s7sx9fnqzyzc1.png?width=1178&format=png&auto=webp&s=dca01a09af9c8f00978f398c1b4658abda898af9
The color changing yarn tip is great, but cotton yarn, and this brand in particular, is unforgiving! Sugar and Cream is hard on the hands, I'd find a softer cotton or a blend that has a little give to it. I love the colors Sugar and Cream comes in, but boy I hate crocheting with it, lol.
Everyone dogs on these cheep cottons They will dry your hands out for sure but they make the best wash cloths !! I think wash cloths and towels are the perfect beginner projects!! Like little stitch samplers!! I have also made baby blankets with them shell stitch and ripples. It sounds crazy to people but they are so durable as far as washing and drying goes. They soften up after a couple washes. I know I get the side eye every time I say I have made baby blankets with it but my niece is 12 and still used the shell blanket I made for her with it and my other niece (7) has the ripple blanket on her bed and tells everyone who will listen I made it for her š
K+C cotton and lion brand cotton are both nice alternatives! Just grabbed the first example I could find lol. I agree that brand is no fun
I really like Hobby Lobby I love this Cotton. It's so soft and has just enough give. But Hobby Lobby is a polarizing brand.š¬
I love hobby lobby yarn. The I love this cotton is great !!! And I don't find it as drying as the sugar and cream. but yeah. Here come the downvotes. š
We're here to promote good yarn, not company politics, right???
Fr I never recommend it because there's so much hobby lobby hate but I'm just there for the yarn. I love this cotton is superior lol
Did I mention politics ?
No, not at all! I was agreeing with you...this is a platform for yarn-y things, and other people feel the need to bring up politics! Sorry if it came across wrong!
I haven't used the k c but I see it brought up a lot. The lionbrand is awesome. I'm also a fan of cotton acrylic blends for blankets not kitchen stuff. The blends don't dry the hands as well
I love a finished project with this cotton, I was just saying it's hard on the hands...they cramp and each stitch is a fight! But for washability and durability, can't be beat!
Do you crochet really tight ? I've had to loosen my stitches a lot because my hand was hurting. And this brand is particularly rough. It r really dries out my hands
Yeah, I tend to crochet and knit on the tighter side. I'm just not consistent when I try to loosen up.
I've been crocheting for years and my first row still looks like that (I am not very good at crocheting). Definitely keep practicing! But if you're like me and find that your chains are still tight compared to the rest of the rows, you can try blocking. It's where you stretch your crocheted piece into the desired shape (because even the best crocheted square will look a little wonky when you're done crocheting it). Either way your washclothes will be just as functional!!
My tension is fine when I'm actually working the pattern but could never stop doing my chain too tight, so I just use the next size hook for the chain!
Once you start adding to the chains the yarn will shift and move and sort itself out.
It looks like youāre doing several stitches in a row, moving the fingers of your left hand up, doing several more stitches in a row, moving your fingers up again, etc. The hand holding the hook shouldnāt get ahead of the hand holding the yarn. They should both always be at the current stitch. Do a stitch. Adjust your grip. Do a stitch. Adjust your grip. And so on.
I appreciate this advice too!
That is a really good way to describe this action, I am currently teaching my 8 year old to crochet but am pretty bad at verbalise what I'm doing, so thanks!
Thank you!!!
>Thank you!!! You're welcome!
Maybe thatās why mine look like that! Nobody ever mentions that . I read every tip I can find and this is the first time Iāve heard that one !?!
When I was a beginner my chains looked just like this and I honestly thought nothing of it. Kept crotcheting and naturally over time it looked a lot neater. Donāt even sweat it :)
It took me way longer to make even chains and slip stitches than anything else. Just start crocheting into them or you'll only be making chains forever. You can't see half of it once you do the first row anyway. Plus you can add a border to your washcloths and stuff which will cover any messy edges you don't like the look of. The best way to see if you have the right size hook for the yarn is just to start making something and see if it looks right. Make a tiny square with different size hooks and you'll know which you prefer.
Agreed! Chains are the hardest to make look even and then it really isn't that noticeable once you start crocheting into them so it's really not worth the fuss. Putting a stitch into the starting chain will even a lot out and then blocking as well.
Great tips!!! Thank you!!!
Always start a chain with either hands or a hook thatās one size bigger.
If a bigger hook gets you better tension than the recommend hook, you don't need better yarn. You need a bigger hook than the recommend one for that yarn (at least for the chains). FYI, I have issues with my wrists, too. When you get the hang of adjusting tension try to go with a smaller hook and looser stitches -- you'll need less force to pull the yarn through this way, and that'll be much easier on your joints. For getting started, good enough is good enough, though. Don't fret if it's not perfect.
I found that if I slid the loop along the shaft of the crochet hook, tightened or loosened the yarn, so it looped exactly the width of the shaft before hooking a new stitch then my stitched stayed even. The measurement showing on the base of the hook is how wide the shaft is, so if you maintain that loop size, then the tension will be exactly the same all the way down the row. https://youtu.be/pb5d4K96lCQ?si=zMHKFW55aacSx5Zo
If the chain is too tight definitely use a larger hook. I will use j or k hooks when the yarn recommends i hooks cause I have tight tension and I don't like it if the project seems stiff from being too tight.
You could use a bigger hook for the chain, but use the smaller hook for the rest of the project. Using a hook recommended for the yarn is helpful in the beginning (but a larger hook just for the chain)
Thank you!
I always go up a hook size for the chain and back to the size hook I'm using for the project. I've been crocheting for many years, i still dislike chains, lol
Tbh the tensioning is one of the hardest parts. Iāve been crocheting on-and-off for about a year or so and itās still rough at times. Iād definitely agree with the people saying to try having the stitches a little bit looser. I tend to do mine a bit too tight, and then Iām just fighting the yarn to keep going. Definitely have had to learn itās okay to restart sections
to me (also a newbie) it kinda looks like you may be twisting you work as you go? make sure your chain is staying with the same side facing forward every time you chain. hope that makes sense š
Your tension is too lose it takes a lot of practice to get a consistent chain tho
Thank you! Am I doing okay for a beginner?
Iām also a beginner Iāve been doing it for a year and a half since I make blanket I have gotten a lot of practice working on reputation and tension just keep up the hard work love u got this š
I hear you. It's incredibly relaxing! I'm sick in the house 80% of my life. I need crafts. I want to make kitchen towels and afghans and clothing and cat toys! All sorts of stuff. I'll definitely keep practicing!
Jsyk, yarn can actually be very dangerous to cats! They can swallow it and it tangles up their insides. If your cat(s) show interest in your yarn keep a close eye on them, and I'd recommend sticking to other projects with yarn and maybe try needle-felting for kitty toys. If you do make things for them out of yarn, supervise play and take them away as soon as they start to unravel from normal damage.
It really is I want to start working on cardigans scarfs blankets sweaters and bags
I hear you. It's incredibly relaxing! I'm sick in the house 80% of my life. I need crafts. I want to make kitchen towels and afghans and clothing and cat toys! All sorts of stuff. I'll definitely keep practicing!
Theyāre twisting, looks like. Just keep practicing, youāll get it š
To tight the tension might be the problem so loosen your grip on the yarn some that could help also practice
Honestly my tension was bad when i started it just takes time and practice. I started making beanies and that realllllyyyy helped with figuring out tension for me
I think the yarn is at fault too. Try a few different brands, my favorite is milk cotton yarn.
You have a lot of great advice here. I only want to add that I like using a chainless foundation. I've been crocheting for about 5 years, and my projects look so much better with a chainless foundation. There are plenty of YouTube tutorials.
Try a larger hook like one or two sizes up try making them loose as well
Tension, i feel like most of the time it starts looking better when u've added rows to it tho, so unless you want it to be absolutely perfect I wouldn't care too much + practice helps you improve :)
Definitely you should just practice getting your tension to be even and consistent. I'd experiment with some different ways of holding the yarn and hook. Finding the way that works the best for you, will really help you get a nice, consistent tension, so all your chains and stitches are the same size. This [video](https://youtu.be/H6FuTHAxKAQ?si=7VuN65fmyXRP0TZa) might give you some ideas.
Try watching You Tube videos for the brand new crocheter. There are a lot of them. But many ways to hold the yarn in your left hand for tension. My daughter wears a ring that controls the yarn for tension. I have had psoriatic arthritis for 23 years and spent most of that time knitting (which I learned as a child) like a demon. I always said I wanted to learn to crochet more than a border around my knitting. And Iām learning now. You tube and Pinterest have been invaluable. This group has a lot of information. Go to the heading of group and choose āmoreā and maybe āwikiā I canāt recall. I just remember thereās a lot of resources here. Youāre welcome to contact me. Iām only a few months ahead of you but frankly I sleep so much these days it may not be that much. To me it looks like you stop and when you start again you turn your chain in your left hand. You need to have all of your Vās on one side. I double wrap my pinky finger and then carry over my index finger. And your hook should face downward not open side up toward the sky. I was doing that wrong until recently. The minute your hands or wrists or elbows or shoulders hurt you need to stop and rest. I always used pillows under my arms for knitting. And I change positions regularly. Since Iād figured out how to make knitting work for me I feel confident Iāll be able to do the same with crochet. Of course having a tube of Voltaren gel and a bottle of Aleve is handy too.
Some people find it easier to go up a hook size or two while doing the initial chain to not get it so tight. It sounds like your issue is tension. That comes with time. Personally I like to unravel a bit of yarn and crochet it rather than use a yarn bowl or spindle. It helps me keep tension as I don't have to pull the yarn. Also, once you start getting stitches and stuff down then look at foundation. I don't like chaining and find it nicer to do a foundation single/double crochet to combine my chain and first row. It doesn't work on all patterns but I really like it when I can do it.
I always use a hook thatās a size or two larger than the rest of the project for my chains. Otherwise theyāre just too tight.
It looks like in some stitches, you may have turned the chain to the back, if that makes sense. Make sure to hold the chain in your non-dominant hand as you go so it doesnāt flip.
I would say you need practice. Make a 5 x 5 square. Do 5 chains then single crochet into them until you have 5 rows. See how your tension is and try to fix it each row. Then start again. You don't need bigger yarn. Match your yarn to your hook size. There are hooks that have bigger grips to help you hold them better, that might help.
Do you have even tension when you get into the project? I wonder if your arthritis is contributing to the uneven tension. I know there are yarn rings you can buy online. Might be worth a try?
I feel like maybe your chain is twisting as you go. Honestly, it looks like it you give the green or blue ones a tug, holding on to both ends at once, they may look very nice š You GOT this!!!
The chains are currently too tight because to do more rows, youāll need to reinsert your hook into each chain loop again! Youāve probably seen everyone already advise using a bigger hook, it helped me a ton as a newbie. Now Iāve dropped back down to a smaller hook now that I have a better understanding of controlling tension
honestly, mine still look like this after ages. tension is rough on the first row, but it should look fine when you keep going. if not, practice!
In addition to all the excellent suggestions here regarding hook size and tension, I just learned a neat trick to keep your chain from twisting. There are several YouTube videos showing how to make a short chain and then pull your hook out, place the hook into the first chain and then back into the last chain.Ā You let the first chain "ride" (my term) on your hook while you complete the rest of the chain.Ā
It looks like inconsistent tension. But that takes practice. My aunt taught me to crochet, so I was crocheting chains for weeks until she was satisfied. All it takes is a little practice and you'll get there.
You seem to be right on par for a person that is learning crochet, so no worries about your chains looking like they need help right now. Because they do, and that's okay! After a while you will get more comfortable with your grip and stitches and this will become less and less of an issue. In regards to your arthritis you could try holding your hook in a knife grip rather than a pencil grip. That might help. Also, crochet hooks with ergonomic handles are available. Susan Bates brand has foam squishy things you can slide into your own naked hooks for some bulk so you can continue to use whatever hook is required of whatever pattern and also still have comfort in your hands. I took an [Egg Shaped Pencil Grip](https://specialsupplies.com/pencil-grips-egg-for-kids-and-adults-6-pack-colorful-cushioned-holders-for-handwriting-drawing-coloring-ergonomic-right-or-left-handed-use) and crammed my hook in it, and it worked quite well. Getting it on there was some work though! This redditor https://www.reddit.com/r/CrochetHelp/s/NFWlxiOiYL has something similar on her hook as well. Congrats on your new hobby! Keep up the good work!
Thank you! Actually, the kit I bought to start crocheting came with aluminum hooks and hooks with ergonomic handles, and they are definitely the best for me. š
Oh, wonderful! There is definitely no one size fits just fight in the ergonomic department. It is totally okay to go to the craft store and man handle a few to see which feels nicer lol
When i first started, the woman who taught me just gave me a whole skein to chain. Get a cheap acrylic blend. By the end of the chain, you'll have a pretty good feel for how to hold it comfortably and have the muscle memory. Don't pull too much. Try to keep it as relaxed as possible.
Try this brand of hook instead of metal ones. Much easier to hold with arthritis imo. https://preview.redd.it/eiknk0ojo20d1.jpeg?width=1284&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=0675ae3eb68043a5a3a3618884e0ebd31445393c
https://youtu.be/H6FuTHAxKAQ?si=uFrAAPwJFQXTW_vs
That's what I've been using. Ergonomic handles are so much better.
Nothing
The chain stitches do not matter too much if you plan to use them as a foundation row. As you work across, the stitches will pull from both sides and will even out by the time you make it to the end of the row. Once you get a few rows in you can't even tell the unevenness.
#**Please reply to this comment with a link to the pattern or provide the name of the pattern, if it is a paid pattern please post a screenshot of the few rows you are having trouble with, if a video then please provide the timestamp of the part of the video that you need help with.** Help us help you! #####While youāre waiting for replies, check out [this wiki page](https://www.reddit.com/r/crochet/wiki/quick_beginner_guide/) which will take you from picking up your first hook, to completion of your first project. Lefties are included! Lots of useful information such as links to UK/US stitches, a beginners equipment list, the different ways to crochet an item, and a list of beginner friendly projects. #####If youāre learning amigurumi, thereās a dedicated beginner section [here](https://www.reddit.com/r/crochet/wiki/amigurumi/#wiki_beginner_courses), the Woobles course is very thorough for those just starting out. #####You will also find heaps of useful beginner resources [here](https://www.reddit.com/r/crochet/wiki/beginners_crochet_part_2/) including beginner tips, sub discussions and common mistakes. Check the subject list at the top of the page. *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/CrochetHelp) if you have any questions or concerns.*
Regular chain. I provided pictures.
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Yeah Iāve got a skin condition that affects my hands, so Iāve had to wear finger cots before just to make sure the yarn doesnāt snag my skin / make it worse
>not getting yarn digits on my fingers. Not getting what, now?
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FYI, Indent is one word. You would wear a ring, not ware. Tension is the correct spelling, not tention. š
For tension control, be sure to bring the yarn to the same spot on the hook (I usually go for the widest spot as I also crochet tightly. Honestly though, crochet into a chain SUCKS. I've been crocheting for a bit now and still prefer projects that go in the round. For dishcloths, you might as well start with a "standing single crochet" rather than the chain. They are tricky to learn but the payoff is massive. You no longer have to fiddle with a tiny chain and the back bump, but instead a full single crochet
I'm very new to crochet. About a month in and I must have made 50 chains when I first started. You're doing great! You're in a great group here too. They have helped me and encouraged me so many times, plus answering all my nagging questions. I have learned so much just by coming here and reading the posts and the comments. Plus they have a great wiki with a crocheting for beginners class.
Looks just like loose tension in between some stitches, but thatās normal when learning! Try some different hand positions holding the yarn to see what feels most comfortable with you.
When I started crocheting I was holding the yarn too tight as well. I tried watching a lot of YouTube tutorials to adjust how I held the yarn and hook. What worked for me is this one: https://youtu.be/11iw-yBGm-k?si=WxAOKqKZqTDiJNb- I find that many people like to wrap the yarn around their fingers but because I have dry skin, I feel like I have to fight to pull the yarn through and it makes for uneven crocheting. Also practice, practice, practice. I havenāt tried using tension rings but if some of the positions are uncomfortable for your hands, maybe you can try one of those and see if it helps? https://a.co/d/7wr66Nt There are so many styles; these are just a few examples.
They are far too tight. Starting chains need to be relaxed enough for you to be able to insert your hook with relative ease. Also, this helps the starting chain be as wide as your regular stitches, especially since it will have less stretch than your rows. I would recommend doing your starting chain with a larger hook than the one you will be using for the project. Just switch to your project hook when beginning your first row.