Crochet is an exciting hobby where you can make some truly extraordinary things. You can make everything from a washcloth to a blanket to stuffed animals and more. The only limit is your imagination. However, Like any new skill, beginners often run into challenges. Whether you’ve just picked up your first crochet hook or are looking to improve your skills, it’s beneficial to know common mistakes crafters make and how to solve them. In this post, we’ll explore frequent problems new crocheters encounter and provide solutions that will help you.
Before we get started, know that you are not alone. When I first started crocheting, I made all kinds of mistakes. Instead of giving up, I kept with it and eventually was able to get comfortable with crochet and found a deep passion for something I love. If you would like to hear more about my journey and how I plan to help you, see my Welcome to Crochet with Shay post and if you find this article helpful, please share:
1. Incorrect Tension
One of the most common problems beginners face is difficulty with tension. Tension refers to how tightly or loosely you hold your yarn while crocheting. For all tension issues, you can adjust your grip and decide how it is most comfortable for you to hold your yarn that is coming into your project. Personally, I hold my tension with my pinky finger, then the yarn goes up and over my ring finger, middle finger and index finger. Then I am able to grab the yarn with my index finger and thumb. However I’ve seen others who hold their tension differently, for example, by wrapping it around their fingers. It could be the pinky, ring finger or middle finger. Try different methods and determine which method is most effective for you.
While working on adjusting your tension, it can be helpful to practice with small swatches that are only used for practice. There isn’t a set rule for how large practice swatches are, but you crochet something small, focusing on your tension. This can help you adjust your technique and get more comfortable with your tension.
A word of encouragement. Don’t worry about your tension overly much to the point of trying to make it perfect. If it is not perfect, it is okay. Let me repeat that. If your tension is not perfect, it is okay. The more you crochet, the better you will get at tension. Also we are always our own worst critic. I have had times where I was ready to frog something (undo it) and I showed it to my husband. He looked at it and would tell me that he couldn’t see anything wrong with it! Even when I pointed out where I went wrong, he still couldn’t tell. If you try to be absolutely perfect, you will set yourself up for frustration. Just do your best and have fun!
Below are common tension issues and how to fix them:
Inconsistent Tension:
People often struggle with inconsistent tension which results in stitches of varying sizes.
- Try to focus on consistency with how tight you hold your yarn. Usually as you find the way you prefer to hold your tension that works for you, this starts to automatically get better and your stitches will become more uniform in size. However, don’t worry too much because the more you practice, the better you will get at consistency until it becomes second nature. The main thing here is practice, practice, practice.
Crocheting Too Tight
Another common tension issue is crocheting too tight. This can cause difficulty working stitches into your work. Also, if your foundation chain is too tight, not only can it be incredibly difficult to work your first row, it can also make your project curl or have waves in it.
- Try to relax so you aren’t crocheting so tight.
- Try going up a hook size or even two hook sizes if needed. Remember that all recommended hook sizes are just that, recommendations. You don’t have to use the size hook that is recommended if it doesn’t work for you.
- If your chain stitches are too tight, I find it really helpful to go up a hook size for the chain only, then when the chain is complete, switch to the hook you plan to use for the remainder of the project.
Crocheting Too Loose
Crocheting too loose can cause your piece to be floppy, not hold its shape and also not have the desired look. It can be especially problematic for certain projects like amigurumi (crocheted or knitted stuffed toys like stuffed animals). For amigurumi, if you crochet too loose, the stuffing can fall out and you can see the stuffing.
- Just like with crocheting too tight, you can change your hook size. Try going down a hook size or even two.
- Practice different ways of holding your tension. Sometimes holding your tension a little differently can be helpful.
Too Many or Too Few Stitches
When you first start crocheting, you may notice that your project is widening as you create more rows or it is getting narrower. This can happen when you accidentally add or skip stitches without realizing it. It’s easy to mistakenly crochet into the wrong stitch, especially as a beginner or when doing a complicated stitch.
Solution:
- Count your stitches: Regularly count your stitches to ensure you’re on track. If you’re adding an extra stitch or missing one consistently, you won’t be able to tell immediately but as you continue with your project, you’ll start noticing it is flaring out or getting narrower. If you count your stitches at the end of each row, it will prevent you from having to frog (undo) more work. For example, you might have to undo one row instead of multiple.
- Learn your stitch: This helps so you are able to tell where your hook needs to go to prevent yourself from accidentally placing it in the wrong spot. As a beginner this is more difficult, but the more you crochet, the easier this becomes.
- If you make a mistake, fix it immediately: It’s a lot easier to undo one row than to undo several. (I have had the unfortunate experience of having to undo several rows, multiple times over the years so I feel your pain if you have to do this).
- Know where the first stitch of the row goes: A common problem many beginners face, as noted above, is that instead of having a straight edge, it flares out as rows are added or it gets narrower.
- When the project starts to flare out, typically it is because the hook is inserted into the very first space at the beginning of the row. The first space is actually not where the first stitch of the row should go. The hook should be inserted into the second space. I placed a picture below for you to visualize it.
- When the project starts to get narrower, it could be because stitches are being missed. Another common mistake is to skip the chain stitch or stitches when beginning a new row. For example, if you are doing a single crochet, when you begin a new row, you should do one chain stitch and then proceed with your row. The chain stitch or stitches should be the height of the stitch you’re working.
Project Curling or Warping
Often times, flat crochet projects curl or warp such as scarves, blankets, washcloths etc. Don’t worry, because I can help you!
Solution:
- Check your tension: (see tips above). Commonly, the problem is that the chain is too tight. Try going up a hook size for your foundation chain, then switch back to the hook you plan to use for the remainder of the project.
- Pull on it a little: Yes you read that right. If you gently pull at your project from different angles, it helps shift the yarn a bit. Just don’t pull it too hard to where you break your yarn. This can actually be surprisingly effective.
- Blocking your project: Once you’ve finished your project, you can block your piece to help it lay flat. This involves wetting or steaming the fabric, then gently shaping it into position. Blocking projects works amazingly well.
- Working projects with more texture: In my experience, I have found that projects with more texture, rather than completely flat pieces, don’t seem to curl or warp as much.
- Give it a bit of time: If you’re making a blanket, sometimes I find that at first, the project will curl, but just keep going and as it gets a little bigger, it lays flat.
Tips
A few tips and words of advice. First, relax and have fun with crocheting! Next, do your best work, but don’t worry about perfection. You’ll drive yourself crazy if you’re trying to be completely perfect and honestly, others probably won’t be able to see where your project isn’t “perfect” anyway. Next don’t be too quick to frog your work if you think it just doesn’t look quite right. If you made a mistake, yes take it apart and fix it. However, if your project just isn’t looking quite how you want, keep going! Often times, I find that the finished piece looks great even though I was worried about how it looked in the beginning. Also if the finished project doesn’t quite live up to your expectations, who really cares? You had fun creating and you will get better with time. Just like with anything, crochet takes practice. I usually find that if I don’t love the way a project turns out the first time, I learn something from it and the next time I do it, the project is tons better.
When I made my first attempt at an amigurumi horse, I messed it up quite comically. I had been crocheting all my life and had already done a few small amigurumi pieces. How hard could it really be? Well the end result was laughable really. It looked nothing like the pattern. I kept at it and made a few more with the same pattern and got quite good at it. Now I look at my first horse and smile. I learned so much from it! Even though the first one didn’t turn out, I didn’t give up and did get much better with more practice. You will get better and better with practice as well.
Many people say that when they start crocheting, their wrists hurt. It’s just like anything new, your muscles have to get used to crocheting. A few ways to help this include taking wrist stretch breaks at specific intervals, such as every 15 minutes. Additionally, at first, you could try crocheting in shorter sessions and work up to longer ones if you find that wrist pain is an issue. I’ve been crocheting all my life, but even I find that my wrists get sore if I do a crochet marathon where I crochet all day. This normally happens when I get excited and am trying to finish a large project.
Fingers can get sore where the yarn rubs. Again this happens to me in crochet marathons. When my fingers start to get sore where the yarn rubs, I simply put a bandaid on in that area.
Final Thoughts
Crocheting is a journey that involves trial and error, but with time and patience, you’ll find your rhythm. Just remember not to take it too seriously so you can still enjoy it. The mistakes and challenges you face are a natural part of learning, and every crocheter, no matter how experienced, has made them at some point. By recognizing common crochet problems and applying the solutions we’ve discussed, you’ll be able to overcome the obstacles you encounter and build your skills with confidence.
Remember, the more you crochet, the better you’ll become. Embrace the learning process, have fun and don’t be afraid to make mistakes. Happy crocheting!
Some additional resources you may find helpful are below:
Tutorial on how to crochet with right and left handed videos
Beginner washcloth with step by step instructions
How to read a crochet pattern
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