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Fixing common mistakes
Narrowing edges, holes, cupping circles, twisted chains and a dropped project: what each looks like, what caused it, and the fastest fix.
By The StudioPublished Jul 31, 20266 min read
Crochet is forgiving. A mistake is never more than a few minutes of pulling back, and unlike knitting there are no live stitches to drop, only the one loop on the hook. Most problems have one of a handful of causes, and once you can recognize them you will catch them a row later instead of a week later. Here are the ones we see most in support tickets.
The piece is getting narrower
Cause: skipping the first stitch after the turning chain, or missing the last stitch of the row (often the one that goes into the top of the previous turning chain). Fix: count the row. If it is one short, pull back to the start of the row and work it again, making sure the first stitch goes into the first stitch and the last into the last. For the future, put a marker in the first and last stitch of each row until the habit is fixed.
The piece is getting wider
Cause: working an extra stitch into the turning chain when it does not count, or putting two stitches in the first stitch. Fix: same as above, in reverse. Check the first page of the pattern for the turning chain rule and stick to it.
Holes where there should not be
- A gap at the start of every row: the turning chain is taller than the stitch. Use a shorter turning chain or a stacked single crochet instead of a chain 3 for double crochet rows.
- Random holes in single crochet: a skipped stitch, or the hook is too large for the yarn. Go down a size for toys and baskets.
- Holes at the center of a circle: the magic ring was not pulled tight, or the tail was trimmed without weaving. Pull the tail from the wrong side and weave it in a circle.
- A ladder of loose stitches in a row: tension changed, often after a break. Keep the working loop relaxed but the pull-through firm.
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