wavy rows?!
Hello..I'm a newbie and I am pretty much teaching myself by watching online videos and looking at books...I learned a few basic stitches YEARS ago and of course, forgot all of it...so I'm starting from scratch. I plan to take some local classes in the near future, but right now, I'm just basically practicing with a single crochet stitch using a medium weight yarn and a G hook.
My question is - will my rows start straightening out eventually? I think that I am using the correct technique, and my ends are even, but the few rows that I have done are pretty wavy, looks like a DNA strand right now LOL...I try to straighten it out every so often, but it keeps 'waving up'...any thoughts or suggestions? Please tell me that I'm on the right track!! I really enjoy crocheting and I want to advance to do other projects, along with learning how to knit also, and eventually start my own business...
I'm a bit of a perfectionist, and this could be my problem to start...LOL...
Thanks in advance for all of the advice!!
Aloha, perfection is my bag too! I only started crocheting 7/2006 and can't even claim previous teaching... I remember wavy rows well IF by that you mean it ripples up & down like.. a skirt ruffle. If the yarn is medium(#3) but you pull your stitches real tight which is my major failing, try a bigger hook. If you mean #4 weight as medium, definitely a bigger hook maybe even I-9. I made a scarf for someone; used 4 different yarns and it rippled because I went to thicker from thinner.Trying to cram more yarn into the same space I guess. The other time it happened was the first hat(circular) I made and there it was not enough height of stitch for the number of stitch increases. The pattern called for single but when I used half double it rippled less and double crochet fixed it! Just measure the height produced not number of rows. Obviously I don't make fitted garments LOL & NO it doesn't straighten out later I used up WEEKS hoping it would. My rule now is if it ripples PULL IT OUT It's hard to do but it will save your work in the long run. Good luck and relax it will come!
I agree with your needing to check your tension. Relax, don't pull on those stitches, and use a slightly bigger hook. Practice, practice, practice. The more you practice, the looser your hand will get and the more even your stitches. (When I taught my daughter to crochet, I told her to crochet a chain as long as the house! At the start of the chain her stitches were tight and uneven, but towards the end they were perfect.)
This might also appear really obvious, but it's worth checking: count your stitches! A dropped stitch here and there can give a ripple effect, too.
I am a relatively tight crocheter and if by "wavy" you mean that your work is curling or spiraling, it should come right after a few more rows. I find single crochet to be especially "curly". I am currently working on a top that alternates rows of single and double crochet and even that tended to curl for the first 2 - 3 rows, resting quite flat by the fifth row or so... I'd say to give it at least 5 or 6 rows before you frog it and start again.
thanks guys for all of the comments so far...
just an update...I started all over again...used a bigger hook...and I did count my stitches...I also noticed that the ends of the rows were not even, which probably meant that I was either skipping or passing stitches...but ALAS, I think I am finally getting the hang of it...
(but I think that I am still gonna take those beginner classes..LOL) still gotta learn to READ the instructions...WHEW! it's like reading GREEK...but I'm determined to do it!!
Have a blessed evening!!