Crocheting is HARD (whine ahead)

First of all, please hang in there, it does get easier!

Most beginning crocheters work the yarn too tightly. I found that it helped to stop wrapping the yarn-to-be-worked around my finger because that kept it looser while I was learning to get the tension right. The other thing that helped was focusing on relaxation while I was working. Put on some soothing background music, settle into a comfortable chair or stretch out your legs on the couch, light a few candles or warm some scented oil--whatever it is that means relaxing to you.

Also, make sure you're using a big enough hook. I started out crocheting with an F hook on worsted weight yarn. Eek! I still use that, now, but only when I'm doing amigurumi! For a softer fabric, such as a blanket or a sweater, I am unlikely to use anything smaller than an I.

It can be helpful if there is someone who can take a look at your work and help you in person. Check into classes or local crafting groups at your LYS, community center, local churches, etc.

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What kind of yarn are you using? That will determine the size of your hook.

I think some of the first things to do have been covered - relax, loosen your tension, and get a bigger hook.

Past that, when you were making those blankets, were you counting stitches? It really sounds like that's part of the problem here. Count the stitches in your first row, then crochet your second row and count again. If you came up with a different number, go back and figure out why. Then tear out that row and fix it. Every time you get to the end of the row, count. Every time the number is wrong, fix it before going on. That will help with the squareness. Ultimately it will help you recognize what you need to do to keep your crocheting even - and once you have it down you can move on to more complex projects.

Do you have a LYS where you can take it in and have someone help you out? How about posting in your tribe for a local mama to trade crochet lessons for childcare or something? Crochet really is easier to learn IMO if you have someone to show you. It may also be that you're going to be better off with knitting. I know many people can only do one or the other... I'm one of the few I know who can manage both.

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I take a piece of yarn a couple inches long and actually stick it into every 10th stitch while I'm counting, i.e., when I get to 20, I pull it out of the 10th and put it into the 20th; when I get to 30, I pull it out of the 20th and put it into the 30th. Something about counting to 312 (or whatever) without screwing up left ALL my rows off until I had some sort of marker to go by...

Can I whine along with you??? I am a great knitter. I picked it up in about a month or so, and it makes perfect sense to me. Crocheting does not. I tried to learn to crochet before knitting, and I still don't get it! I get how to do the individual stitches, but like you, must stuff comes out lopsided. The few things I've successfully made, I had to tear out several times before actually getting it right. Crochet is very hard! I'm working on my first hat now. I've had to rip it out 4 times and start over, so far. It's an "easy" pattern, whatever that means. The patterns are really hard to interpret, unlike knitting patterns, which actually make sense. Someday, I will be able to call myself a crocheter because I won't give up! Also, I think it's odd that people say that new crocheters crochet tightly because my stuff is too loose! I have to use a smaller hook to get it remotely tight. Anyway, try some amigurumi. Look for an easy pattern. If you have to rip it out and start over it's not too much work. It's also satisfying to have something actually completed.

My advice, learn how to knit instead!!! I love knitting ;-)

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I'd never heard this, but it's funny... I learned how to crochet first and knitting came quite a bit later for me, so I always assumed knitting was harder. Once I got the hang of it, though, I much prefer knitting and rarely crochet now.

I'm sorry, but I don't have any other helpful suggestions for you; I learned how to crochet when I was probably 10 or 12 so it's been a very long time. Practice different techniques and don't stress too much... you'll get the hang of it!

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Is there anything you could work on that doesn't have such looonnnggg rows? Since it's the edges that are the trickiest in keeping the right count, it's a shame to have to rip out so much work once you find you've made a mistake. Maybe a blanket made of smaller squares?

I knit continental as well and am kind of ambidextrous, so I do think that helps me switch easily back and forth between knit and crochet. The continental motion and the crochet motion seem very similar.

I'm a knitter that has learned to crochet (though not very well )....these videos helped me immensely (as did knittinghelp.com for knitting). Maybe they'll help you as well!