crocheters...I need your help

[notwonamesalike]

I'm teaching myself to crochet. I'm just doing a simple single crochet scarf. No pattern.

I started out with 15 single crochets. I'm about a foot into it and I'm down to 8 single crochets. I can't figure out what I'm going wrong. My crochet stitches are all the same size. I've unraveled it and started over about 4 times with the same results.

Help me figure it out before I give up!

[sofiabugmom]

Welcome to wonderful world of crochet!

The usual culprit for the ever-decreasing work is forgetting to make the turn chain but still skipping the first stitch when starting the next row. Here's how I helped out my beginner students:

In the beginning crochet class, one of the "mantras" I taught my students was "When in doubt, count it out." That is, count each and every stitch as you make it to make sure you have the right number. Do this for every row so that if there is a mistake, you only have one row to rip out.

Very, very elementary, I know ... but I swear I still use this method on my projects and I've been crocheting for thirty-(cough) years.

HTH, and have fun! Post a pic when you're finished!

[notwonamesalike]

Originally Posted by sofiabugmom

Welcome to wonderful world of crochet!

The usual culprit for the ever-decreasing work is forgetting to make the turn chain but still skipping the first stitch when starting the next row. Here's how I helped out my beginner students:

In the beginning crochet class, one of the "mantras" I taught my students was "When in doubt, count it out." That is, count each and every stitch as you make it to make sure you have the right number. Do this for every row so that if there is a mistake, you only have one row to rip out.

Very, very elementary, I know ... but I swear I still use this method on my projects and I've been crocheting for thirty-(cough) years.

HTH, and have fun! Post a pic when you're finished!

Ok...since I'm still learning the lingo. I'm potentially forgetting the turn chain. (The very last one were you loop your yard over the crochet hook only once, correct?)

AND I'm missing the first stitch?

:

I'll try and take a picture this afternoon and post it. I really was thinking I was getting my last chain and first stitch - but well, obviously I'm doing something wrong.

[sofiabugmom]

Ah, I can see where you might be confused then, so let's try this ...

Here's a quick write-up pattern on your project (AKA, what to do, step-by-step):

Chain 15.

Row 1:

* Skip the first chain from the hook, then make a single crochet (sc) in the second chain and every chain after it, making a total of 14 sc.

Row 2:

* Make one chain stitch.

* Turn the work like a book page so the back is facing you.

* Skip the chain stitch that you just made, then make a sc in the next stitch (the last sc you made from the previous row) and in every stitch after it, making a total of 14 sc.

Repeat row 2 until you reach the length you want, counting the stitches regularly to make sure you get 14 sc on each row.

**********************

So, in short, you're always supposed to make what's called a "turn chain" to add height for the next row. But you'll skip it to keep the work edge straight.

Hope I didn't confuse you too much ... PM me if you need more help (but note I'm in Eastern Europe so it's almost 1 am here and I'll probably respond tomorrow )

[Sagesgirl]

I was taught--and have always practiced--that single crochet is the one exception to the "turning chain counts as first stitch" routine. (Actually, I now don't count any of my turning chains.

The reason I don't count turning chains? It's harder to crochet into a chain stitch than the top of any "normal" stitch. I'm not convinced that using turning chains as a replacement for the first stitch does not contribute a lot to the disappearing stitch problem. (It can be kind of hard at the end of a row to figure out where, exactly, you need to place a stitch.)

Other than that, sofiabugmom, I agree with you. It is absolutely necessary to count every single stitch when you are first starting out. Stitches are most commonly missed at the beginning & end of rows.

When you get to the end of your row of single crochet, make a chain stitch just like you did to start the piece. Turn your work and crochet in every single stitch, counting as you go. Do the chain-and-turn thing at the end, and count again. In a few months you'll probably be able to drop the counting thing because you'll know where to put your stitches & it'll be obvious to you sooner if you miss one on accident.

[notwonamesalike]

thanks!

I decided to start over with a smaller yarn and crochet hook. My yarn in varigated (spelling) and for some reason it makes it easier to see what I'm doing when I get to the end.

I thought that a really large hook and thick yard would make it easier to do - and give me instant gratification.

So far I'm 8 rows up and doing good.

[sofiabugmom]

Congrats! :

[KimberMama]

When I am working a rectangular piece I use a small stitch holder (the ones that look like safety pins, like this, because they are super fast to do and undo) to mark my first stitch in a new row (the chain). It then becomes my last stitch in my working row, so I always know how far to go. This makes it far easier in terms of counting.