Why Is My Crochet Project Curling? And Other FAQs

It is normal to make mistakes when crocheting. The human element is part of the appeal to gifting hand-made items. Still, it can be discouraging to find out at the end of a project that you’ve missed a few stitches, your project is curled, or you left a knot in your work. Crocheters of all levels make these mistakes. Here are the most common crochet issues:

• Your stitches are too tight
• You’ve miscounted stitches
• The yarn you’re using keeps splitting
• Your perfect skein has turned into a crazy blob of tangled yarn

This blog will help you troubleshoot some of these crochet mistakes by answering some crochet FAQs.

Why Is My Crochet Project Curling?

Too Tight Tension: For projects like amigurumi, it is necessary to make your stitches extra tight so that the poly-fill does not leave the work. However, if you are crocheting a work that is meant to lay flat or be worn, curling will look unflattering. The solution: This issue is fixed by the old refrain, “practice makes perfect.” To ensure even stitching throughout, practice making looser stitches before beginning your project. You can do this by relaxing your tension.

Hook Size: For some crocheters, tight stitches cannot be helped no matter how often they practice. You may even be using a hook that is too small for the yarn you’re working. The solution: In this case, it is okay to move up a hook size or two to create looser stitches. You should also make sure to check the packaging of your yarn for the hook size suggestion before you start your work. 

Stitch Variety: If you are only using one stitch to create a pattern, especially a tight stitch like single crochet, it is likely that your work will curl. The solution: Adding a variety of stitches will loosen your work and help with curling. You can do this by adding a row of taller stitches every other row to counterbalance the tightness of smaller stitches.

Why Does My Crochet Look Uneven?

Inconsistent Tension: Like a curling project, uneven stitches can be the result of uneven tension throughout your work. This can happen when you are distracted or when you stop working on a project to continue it later. The solution: This mistake has the same solution as tension that causes curling. The more you crochet, the more consistent your tension will get. 

Skipping Stitches: When you are working on a large project, such as an afghan worked in the round, counting stitches becomes incredibly important. Likewise, losing count on patterns that require increases and decreases, such as a wave pattern, will cause your work to look inconsistent. The solution: The solution to this is as easy as incorporating stitch markers into your work. If you lose count of stitches easily, you can add a stitch marker every 10 or so stitches. You can also mark the exact location of every increase or decrease with them to ensure you never mistake where to put them.

Why Are My Edges Not Straight?

Adding or Losing Stitches: The most common reason for a distorted appearance is adding or losing stitches in your work. It is easy to lose stitches when you are distracted during crocheting or when you are having trouble seeing your work. The solution: To prevent adding or losing stitches, make sure you crochet in a quiet, well-lit space where you can easily focus on your work. Always count your stitches as you go. This way, if you do make a mistake, you can frog it only up to the point of your mistake and fix it before moving forward. For larger works, stitch markers will help you count as you go. 

Turning Chains: Using the wrong number of chains before continuing your row will also throw off your straight edge. This number will vary according to which stitch you are using. The solution: Learning the proper number of turning chains that correlates to the stitch being used will help you to correct this mistake. For example, when using single crochet, 1 turning chain is typically. For taller stitches, the turning chains will need to be as tall as the stitch.

Why Does My Yarn Keep Splitting?

Low-Quality Yarn: A lower quality yarn may be spun incorrectly and can easily fall apart, leaving you incredibly frustrated as you try to complete your work. Solution: In order to fix this issue, upgrade your yarn to a higher quality yarn prone to less splitting. You can browse the KnitPal online store for a higher quality yarn that will hold while you crochet. 

Wrong Hook Size: A wrong hook size may also be the culprit, especially if the hook is sharp or pointed. If you are using a hook smaller than the one recommended for the yarn you are using, it will easily glide through the yarn strand and cause splitting. Solution: Check that you are using the correct sized hook before starting your work. If you are using the correct hook, you may need upgrade the yarn you are using. 

How Do I Keep My Yarn from Tangling?

Yarn Ball Stability: Some crafters do not mind their yarn ball rolling about. If you are one of these crocheters, that may be the root of your issue. When your yarn ball is not stable, it can easily wind between yarn strands and cause a crazy tangle. Solution: The good news is that there are many creative ways to solve this issue! Some use baskets with handles and weave the yarn through the handle before they begin working. A nifty tool to use if you are an avid crocheter is a yarn bowl. These bowls have a hole in one end for you to weave your yarn through before beginning your work. The bowl keeps your work clean and organized. 

Multiple Colors: Weaving multiple colors into your work without proper organization can lead to another tangle. Working two yarns at the same time with loose yarn balls or skeins may cause the yarn to overlap and tangle. Likewise, working different colored yarn into different sections of a project without properly organizing those yarn balls may lead to a mess. Solution: To counteract this, it is important to set up a proper yarn organization method before beginning any project that works in multiple colors. You may have to set up multiple balls of yarn in different colors and use them separately to prevent tangling. When working two colored yarns at the same time, it may be helpful to use separate yarn bowls to prevent the balls from intersecting.