Cody Casey
There are many reasons why your crochet blanket might be getting wider. You may have added stitches somewhere, or your tension may have loosened. Your crochet project may also be getting wider because of changes in the yarn, using the wrong hook, or an overly tight foundation chain.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Reason | Changes in the yarn, using the wrong hook, loosening tension, an overly tight foundation chain, or accidentally increasing by making extra stitches that shouldn’t be there |
| Solution | Measure the thickness of the yarn before starting, use the right hook, check the tension, loosen the foundation chain, and count the number of stitches after each row |
What You'll Learn
Using the wrong hook
To prevent this, it's a good idea to keep a crochet journal or use an app like Ravelry to keep notes on your projects and the hook sizes you use. Taking a picture of your project with your phone, including the hook size, is another simple way to keep track.
If you discover that you have been using a larger hook, you will need to undo your work and start over with the correct hook size to fix the issue.
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Loosening tension
If your crochet blanket is getting wider, it could be due to loosening tension. Tension refers to the amount of stress applied to the yarn as you work with it. The right tension is important because it determines the end result of your project.
How to fix loosening tension:
- Use a bigger hook – If your tension is too tight, switch to a bigger hook for a looser pattern.
- Use a smaller hook – If your tension is too loose, switch to a smaller hook for a tighter pattern.
- Hold the yarn and hook correctly – Try different ways of holding the yarn and hook to find the most comfortable way for you. This will help you establish the tension you need for an even crocheting pattern.
- Secure the yarn – Ensure that the yarn you are working with doesn't pull on the ball as you work, as this will create additional tension and could result in uneven crocheting. You can secure the yarn by placing it in a bowl or unrolling some of the yarn beforehand and letting it loose.
- Practice – The more you practice, the more even your yarn tension will become. Try creating gauge swatches with various types and weights of yarn.
- Adjust your grip – If your tension is too loose or too tight, you can adjust how you hold the yarn to put more or less tension on it while crocheting.
- Watch tutorials – Watching expert crocheters is a great way to learn how to hold your yarn for even tension. There are many online tutorials that can provide valuable tips for achieving perfect tension.
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An overly tight foundation chain
A telltale sign that your foundation chain is too tight is when your project curls into a crescent shape, with the foundation chain being narrower than the most recent row.
To fix this issue, you can try going up by one or two hook sizes when making your foundation chain. Then, switch back to the smaller hook after the foundation chain is complete. Remember to make this switch, or you will have to spend time undoing your work and restarting.
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Changes in the yarn
Additionally, yarns of the same weight and brand can differ in size. For example, two yarns labelled as "worsted weight" may have different thicknesses, which can cause your blanket to become wider as you switch between them.
To avoid this issue, you can measure the thickness of your yarn before starting your project using the "wraps per inch" method. This involves wrapping the yarn around a ruler to get a more precise measurement of its thickness. You can then compare the "wraps per inch" measurements of different yarns to ensure they are consistent.
If you find that your yarn is inconsistent in thickness, you may need to adjust your hook size or tension to maintain a consistent gauge.
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Accidentally adding stitches
To prevent this, it is important to count your stitches at the end of each finished row to ensure you are not adding or missing any. You should also understand the role of the turning chain and whether or not it counts as a stitch in your specific pattern. The turning chain is the series of chain stitches made at the beginning of a row to bring the hook up to the height of the stitches to be formed on the next row. In single crochet, the turning chain is usually just 1 chain stitch, whereas for half double crochet, it is usually 2 stitches, and for double crochet, it is often 3 chain stitches.
If the turning chain counts as a stitch, you should not work into the top of the turning chain on subsequent rows as this will add an extra stitch. If it does not count as a stitch, you should work into the top of the turning chain, otherwise, your project will get narrower.
If you have already added extra stitches, you will need to undo your work back to the row where the stitch count is correct and start again from there. To avoid having to redo your work, always count your stitches after each row until you feel more confident in your crochet skills.
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Frequently asked questions
There are several reasons why your crochet blanket might be getting wider. Here are some possible causes and solutions:
- Adding extra stitches: Count your stitches after each row to ensure you are not accidentally adding extra stitches. This is a common mistake that can cause your blanket to get wider.
- Tension issues: Your tension might be too loose or inconsistent, causing the stitches to expand and the blanket to get wider. Try to maintain an even tension throughout your project.
- Foundation chain issues: If your foundation chain is too tight, it can cause the bottom of your blanket to be narrower than the top. Try using a larger hook for the foundation chain to prevent this issue.
- Wrong hook size: Using a larger hook can result in larger stitches and a wider blanket. Ensure you are using the recommended hook size for your project.
- Yarn weight/thickness: Using a thicker yarn or a different type of yarn than specified in the pattern can also affect the width of your blanket. Stick to the recommended yarn type and weight for consistent results.
- Skipping stitches: Make sure you are not skipping any stitches along the row, as this can also impact the width of your blanket.
To fix a crochet blanket that is getting wider, you can try the following:
- Count your stitches: Count the stitches in each row to identify if you have added any extra stitches. If you have, carefully remove the extra stitches and rows affected, and start again with the correct number of stitches.
- Adjust your tension: If your tension is too loose, try to tighten it to match the tension of the previous rows. This can help even out the width of your blanket.
- Use a smaller hook: Using a smaller hook can create tighter stitches and help narrow the width of your blanket.
- Ripple effect: If your blanket has a rippled or wavy effect due to uneven stitches, you might need to undo several rows and start again, focusing on maintaining consistent stitch placement and tension.
To prevent your crochet blanket from getting wider, here are some tips:
- Count stitches regularly: Count your stitches after each row to ensure you are not adding or skipping any stitches. This will help you identify and correct any mistakes early on.
- Maintain consistent tension: Pay attention to your tension and try to keep it consistent throughout your project. Practice different techniques to improve your tension control.
- Use the recommended materials: Stick to the recommended hook size, yarn type, and yarn weight specified in the pattern to ensure consistent results.
- Practice: Crocheting takes practice, and the more you do it, the better your control over stitch placement and tension will become. Don't be discouraged by mistakes; they are part of the learning process.
Some common mistakes that can cause your crochet blanket to get wider include:
- Not counting stitches: Not counting your stitches regularly can lead to accidentally adding or skipping stitches, which will affect the width of your blanket.
- Inconsistent tension: Tension issues, such as too loose or too tight tension, can cause your stitches to expand or contract, resulting in a wider or narrower blanket.
- Wrong hook size: Using a larger hook than recommended can result in larger stitches and a wider blanket.
- Foundation chain issues: A foundation chain that is too tight can cause the bottom of your blanket to be narrower than the top.
- Skipping stitches: Skipping stitches along a row can also impact the width of your blanket, creating an uneven look.
