What did I do wrong with my crochet? *update pics #20*

[Kimmiepie]

So I taught myself to crochet last night using these instructions http://crochet.about.com/library/weekly/aa041799.htm to make a single crochet dish cloth. I also used the tutorial because I had NO idea what anything meant etc. as this was my very first time. So I did the chain stitch..the correct number...then I started the single stitches, which took me a while to get down but I think I got it. But my question is, as I go up it gets smaller at the top than at the bottom. I am doing my single stitches and then making a chain stitch, turning and starting again with the single stitch. I go all the way to the end. So I don't understand why it is not evening out. Could I have made the stitches tighter up top than at the bottom? What do think could have gone wrong?

Here is the pic. http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u...5/feb08021.jpg It's not finished though...I didn't want to continue until I knew what I was doing wrong.

Thanks so much! :

ETA: I know the dishcloth is ugly, but give me a break it's my first time.

[justme&my3+1]

Looks like you aren't chaining one at the end of the row before you turn, and maybe skipping the first hole to single crochet in the next row.

The last single crochet on the row.........before you turn, you have to chain one and turn, then single crochet into the first hole on the next row.

Does that make sense lol :

[Kimmiepie]

Yeah, it does. And that's what I've been doing I started one before this one that I stopped doing because I realized I wasn't doing the chain before the turn. But this one I have been doing it.

Maybe I will start a new one *just* to make sure, and I will report back as to how that one is doing!

[cristeen]

The first foundation row (not the chain row, but the first row after that), count your stitches. Then when you're done with each subsequent row, count the stitches. What you're doing is skipping a stitch somewhere. If you count on each row, you can start seeing where you're having a problem. When your count is off, go back over the row and see if you skipped the first stitch, the last stitch or one somewhere in between. You can either count your turning chain or not, but if you don't count it on your foundation row, don't count it on subsequent rows, and vice versa.

I don't count the stitches at the top that you're working into, but count the body of the stitches (each stitch forms a sort-of column), you can both see and feel each individual stitch that way, and it's easier for new crocheters.

HTH

[Kimmiepie]

You're right! I just counted and they're all over the place. How weird. I also noticed that my chain is 36 but even my first set of single stitches are much less than the 35 the instructions tell me to do. I wonder how I doing that? I wonder if I'm putting it in the wrong spot? At first I thought I was doing so well and now I'm discouraged. Poo.

[texaspeach]

yes yes count stitches as you go along. it looks like you're just missing a few here and there as you go along. I also count posts and not Vs at the top. when I make a stitch, I look at the post (body) of the stitch and then look for the V on top

[Kimmiepie]

I just watched a video...and I was totally doing it wrong. I haven't tried it the new way yet though.

[cristeen]

Glad that helped!

And BTW, I really like the yarn, what is it? It's so hard to find good oranges.

[Kimmiepie]

And BTW, I really like the yarn, what is it? It's so hard to find good oranges.

I think it's pretty too, and I don't like the color orange. It is #5011 here http://www.cascadeyarns.com/cascade-220Quatro.asp It's a not a bright IRL though.

[KnitterMama]

You may want to consider using it for a hotpad rather than a dishcloth ... because it is wool, it will felt with use. Wool makes excellent hotpads, however.

[Kimmiepie]

Thanks knitter mama. I had to quit that one and start over because I was doing it all wrong. So I promised the kids they could have that one as a washcloth. hee hee The new one I have started is much bigger (like it was supposed to be) and looks much better. I still had a couple of areas that I added a stitch at the end, but it's not too bad. I'm getting better!!

[Kodachrome]

Originally Posted by cristeen

It's so hard to find good oranges.

So true. I'm glad to hear this from someone else.

[Kimmiepie]

Well I don't have a pic yet, but I started the new one and it was much better. But I got tired of the plain ole dishtowel thing (didn't really need a dish towel anyway) and decided to turn it into a koozy for my toddler's klean kanteen sippy! It's really cute, and much better than that cold stainless steel. I went and got some more yarn today, and different size needles. I do believe I've found a new passion. :

[salty]

awesome! it didn't take me long to really enjoy crocheting as well. i'm still not any good at it, but that doesn't stop me from enjoying myself!

i like to count posts, not Vs (as texaspeach said above) but i find it hard to do with the short stitches like single crochet. there's not enough of a post for me to see! and i find it way easier to count the stitches as i make them rather than at the end of a row. at least i did when i was first learning. i also had the problem of the incredible shrinking square.

[Kimmiepie]

Incredible shrinking square!!

I made a scarf!! A BIG one, for my dh. I'm putting on the fringe right now and I LOVE it! : I'll take a pic when I can locate my lost camera....

[salty]

Originally Posted by Kimmiepie

Incredible shrinking square!!

[TCMoulton]

I love crocheting washcloths - my 4 sisters love getting them as gifts as the 100% cotton ones are wonderful on your skin and they never wear out! I have a really nice simple pattern if you want a new one. FWIW if that was one of your first projects I myself am impressed - my 1st scarf was wicked ugly and crooked!

[salty]

Originally Posted by TCMoulton

FWIW if that was one of your first projects I myself am impressed - my 1st scarf was wicked ugly and crooked!

so, is everyone's first project a scarf? my mom taught me to crochet one summer when i was away at an internship. i had a long bus ride to and from work each day, so she taught me to crochet to pass the time. she showed me one stitch, but she didn't show me how to stop! so the scarf just got longer and longer ....

[Kimmiepie]

That was my very first project. Thank you.

Like I said I turned it into a koozie, and then my second project was actually a scarf. I found the scarf much easier to do than the washcloth because the washcloth was wool and the scarf acrylic, plus I like going up more than I like going sideways.

Now everyone in my family has a request for something to be made.

[Kimmiepie]

Well I finally got pics.

Here is the first one I was working on that I converted to a koozie. It doesn't actually fit the cup in the picture, but I couldn't find the one I made it for. lol And yes, I know it has feet.

http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u...5/feb08030.jpg

And next I went straight to work on a scarf for dh!

http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u...5/feb08029.jpg

http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u...5/feb08022.jpg

Can't wait to start on something else. Thanks for all the help before. :

I have a really nice simple pattern if you want a new one.

That would be great, thanks!