I’ve crocheted before. I crochet well. I’m no newbie though it’s been a while. But I’m insanely frustrated by one issue I keep having on larger projects, like the crocodile stitch hooded cape I just started, which have long foundation chains (177 in this case.)
The problem is not my working tension, I can crochet a consistently good foundation chain. The problem is that I’ll be working along,nice tension as I said, and then a section of chain I’d already done gets pulled taut, ruining the tension of already worked chain. Happens either later in the chain row or as I’m working that first row into the chain (which, in this case happens to be V stitches? And so I’ll start over, and then it happens again. So, how can I keep the chains I’ve already made from being pulled, or fix it when that does happen? Any suggestions? (Unfortunately, searching the web has not found any answers, which is why I’m asking here.)
Hmm, I can think of 2 things to try. One is to use a size larger crochet hook for the foundation chain. On the first row go back to the required project hook. That’ll maybe help with problems on the first row.
The other thought is not to do a foundation chain but to start with a simple chain. Not necessarily for all projects but for ones that require a large number of sts.
You are misunderstanding the problem. It is NOT how I work it. The problem is what happens AFTER I have chained at the proper tension… It’s where it gets inadvertently stretched and a bunch of stitches gather tautly. It is not how I work the tension, it’s fixing what happens after the fact, when I move the thing about. My tension will be good, but then an accidental tug will pull a section that was previously correct and make that section of chain, and not the whole chain, tight. How do I fix this when it gathers so, or is there a trick to keep from accidentally mucking up the earlier portions of the chain.
I cheat. I grab a knitting needle - straight or circular - the same size as my crochet hook, and I work a crochet-hook cast-on as my foundation chain. Then, with my hundred+ stitches on the needle in one hand, I add however many chains necessary for the beginning - where it says work XX in fourth chain from hook, I add four ordinary chains; they’re not part of the foundation chain. Then I work my first row into the stitches that are on my knitting needle.
Yes, I’m sure it looks crazy to any only-knitter or only-crocheter who might see me doing it, but I don’t usually carry my project anywhere until after I’ve finished the foundation and first row anyway, so no one see me.
Since I’ve begun doing this, I haven’t had a too tight or pulled tight section of any foundation chain.
I have to try this. My solution to long chains which I hate with a passion has been to replace them with foundation single crochet whenever possible. Having a sc edge rather than a chained edge rarely presents a problem and is much easier for me to work into should I come back to add a border. If you use fsc just be sure to make the chain loop loose enough, it’s easy to make it too tight.
My problem with the FSC - or any of the other foundation-and-stitch-in-one - is my sieve-like memory. I cannot for the life of me remember how to do any of them! That means I have to get online and look it up when I want to use it. It’s just easier for me to grab a handy knitting needle and get the project going.
JessicaJean, I understand! This one I remember but many things will not stay in my head at all. Not all crocheters have knitting needles and feel like they’re scary, toxic things. Magic circle often eludes me until I look it up again and it’s not hard at all.
Magic circle often eludes me until I look it up again and it’s not hard at all.