Circle closes too tightly
I'm trying to make an amigurumi using the magic ring to start. I crochet the first round, but the circle gets too tight when I close it. There's no hole, which is good, but it's so tight that it's impossible to get my hook into the stitches to crochet the next round. It seems like pulling the loop closed is pulling the stitches tighter, too... Any ideas on how to fix this?
TIA!
CIP (Crochet in peace)
wahmommy
Wait until you've done several rows before you pull the ring tight. That's how I do it, not for your reason but I usually use the magic ring in doilies and don't know how much to close the ring to get the doily to lay flat.
Sometimes you can stab something, hook or knitting needle, into the hole and wiggle it a little to get it to loosen up.
Pauline
Thanks, Pauline!
CIP (Crochet in Peace)
wahmommy
Help please, I'm brand new at this and have quite a struggle keeping my chain the same tension and size. I read someplace about a technique using single crochet instead of a chain. Can you please explain that to me? If you have pictures or know of some please email it to me. singer4hire@yahoo.com
Thanks so much!
deb
I don't know of any internet sites with an explanation of the foundation single or double crochet row, but I last searched 3 or so weeks ago. Maybe I missed it or one has been added since.
Doris Chan describes it in her books. A recent US crochet magazine describes it - Interweave Crochet, maybe. And I just read a sales blurb, in an Annie's Attic catalog I think, for a book with a variety of non-chain foundation rows. Ah yes, "Chain-Free Crochet" by Bendy Carter has 19 ways to start a project without using a chain.
Meanwhile, make your foundation chains with a hook one or two sizes larger than you would use for the rest of the work.
Oh wow! I have to get that book... *Puts book on wishlist...*
CIP (Crochet in Peace)
wahmommy
Deb, here's what you mean:
http://crochetme.com/tips/praise-single-crochet-foundation-row
CIP (Crochet in Peace)
wahmommy
OMG, my memory is failing!! LOL.
http://treblecrochet.blujay.com
http://yarngirlscreativecrochet.blogspot.com If you have trouble with the ring, just ch 2 or 3, join, and work into that instead of the ring. The hole wouldn't be very big. Or, keep the ring rather large while you are working into it, then pull tightly when you are finished.