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Chain Stitch Tension

Aug 4, 2009 by Marcy Smith

In this week's enewsletter, I'll be writing about finding the right tension for making chains. If you're not signed up for the enewsletter, just click on the brown rectangle over to the right of your screen. Then come back Thursday for more details on this blog.
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See you then!

Marcy

update: find the blog post here.

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hannalisa wrote
on Aug 6, 2009 6:46 AM

i'm really looking forward to what you have to say about this ... because looking at these chains, they're MUCH looser than i would ever allow myself to make. can't wait to see what you have learned about the most basic stitch of crochet.

txknitwit wrote
on Aug 6, 2009 7:11 AM

I, too, can't wait to see this lesson on chaining. I think I'm putting in an extra step where I pull the yarn and thus the chain taut. That keeps them looking pretty even but nothing like the picture here. The challenge to me is: If you keep the chains so open and large, how do you keep them even?

Laura@2 wrote
on Aug 6, 2009 7:29 AM

If you look carefully at the photo, not all chains are the same size. Being a loose crocheter myself, I usually need to use a smaller hook and make the appropriate adjustment. Subsequently, I believe, looser chains tend to equalize themselves.

Fiddledidi wrote
on Aug 6, 2009 8:16 AM

I have been crocheting for about a year. I am now an advanced crocheter. The only thing lacking is the knowlege about the behavior of materials, fibers, and yarns that only experience can provide. I am crocheting a shawl with Fiesta Ballerina Laceweight yarn right now and this is exactly what my stitches look like! I like the way it looks, but I didn't know if it was right or wrong, since I have never used lace weight yarn. I started with an F hook, but things looked to dense, so I switched up to an H. Now it looks loopy and lacey. I searched the internet to try to find some pictures of what your stitches should look like with this denier of yarn, but couldn't find any info. This blog will certainly be an interesting read. I can't wait.

Grambo76 wrote
on Aug 6, 2009 8:25 AM

I can not wait until your e-mail letter comes I have learned a lot since I have logged in to your site. Thanks

Marcy Smith wrote
on Aug 6, 2009 9:50 AM
Hi Diann!
If you like the way it looks, then that is exactly what it should look like!
With laceweight, if you move up to a bigger hook you can feel like you're wrestling with the yarn the whole time. If it feels too loose and loopy, it probably is. The yarn needs to feel comfortable as you work it -- especially if you're making a shawl, because you'll be spending a lot of time with it.

Marcy

JoniB2009 wrote
on Aug 10, 2009 12:43 PM

The shawl you made is gorgeous!!! Is it made out of all chains with a few different stitches throughout the shawl? Is there a pattern to this shawl yet? Marcy I want to thank you so much for this website!!! Just as the others have said I have learned a lot from you and I appreciate it so much!!! :-)

JoniB

www.joniscrochetcreations.etsy.com

Marcy Smith wrote
on Aug 12, 2009 10:19 AM
Hi JoniB,
This shawl is in Crocheted Gifts by Kim Werker, which is out in bookstores & yarn shops now. Lots of other fun things in there, too!
Glad you're enjoying the site!

Marcy

LuLu33 wrote
on Aug 18, 2009 8:38 AM

I'm waiting with baited breath and in hope that this georgeous pattern will become available for free from this site.

LuLu

Marcy Smith wrote
on Aug 19, 2009 11:03 AM
Hi LuLu,
This pattern is available in Crocheted Gifts. The book has lots of other cool patterns as well!

Marcy

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