Crochet Problem! Please help

[Dace]

So I started on a scarf for my little one. I went on youtube for a refresher on how to start as it has been so many years since I have crocheted.

Clearly I am doing something wrong as I keep ending up with a triangle. My sides slowly are tapering in. I seem to recall adding a chain at the edges, but even that is not helping much. Can any one advise ?

 

[noobiechickenlady]

What stitch are you using?

 

[Dace]

I don't know just a basic chain stitch I think.

 

[Dace]

Single stitch it is called

 

[miss_thenorth]

When you are crocheting, are there three strings on your hook before you reduce it down to one? If so, you need to chain three links at the end of the row, to start your next row.

 

[FarmerDenise]

Dace, I am going to presume that your are doing single crochet. When you get to the end of a row, Turn your piece and chain one, then do a single crochet in the very next stitch. At the end of the row count your stitches. Include the chain stitch in your count. You should always have the same number of stitches in each row. If you find that you are short one stich, then you need to add one more in the chain stitch. This is where I usually go wrong, ending up with a triangle.

My crochet hooks and yarn are packed away, so I couldn't try this out. I always have problems with this also. But last years scarves that I made, came out nicely, so I hope this works for you.

Maybe someone else will come along and explain it better. I couldn't find any of my books either, they are also packed and in storage

 

[Dace]

Thank you ladies I know that this is a weird question as most normal people get a pattern with clear instructions, but I never claimed to be normal :bun

North- including the length of working thread, yes it am up to three before going down to one. If you do not include the working lenght of thread then I only have two loops on my hook.

I tried chaining two but still ended up with a shrinking scarf.

FD- part of my problem is the yard I am using, it is hard to see clearly to count because it is sort of fluffy/bumpy.

In reviewing some sites yesterday looking for answers I can see that I am not even doing the single stitch correctly, so back to the beginging I just want to avoid the dreaded TRIANGLE again!!

Here is a link that I found this morning where she said add one chain on the end.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rtPXYSS9tDY


I suspect that my problem is user error!

 

[miss_thenorth]

I owuldn;'t know how to read a pattern if I had one. My mom showed me like 30 years ago, so I just tinker and make stuff. What I would do, is start a tester. Do 6 stitches, and make it 6 rows up. Use yarn that you can see the actual individual stitches. And see how it goes....

I enjoy crocheting, have made several afghans, scarves, etc, but I just wing it. By doing the test strip, you can see where you are making your mistakes, and try different things to remedy it.

 

[TanksHill]

Dace, If I am understanding you correctly .... When using a single stitch you add one link at the end, when using a double you add 2 stitches then start your row. And so on. If you kind of think of it as a vertical stitch before your row starts that makes it easier to visualize. I always mess that part up as well. And counting stitches, I have no patience for that.

I hope this helps. For my baby blankets I always go around the outside a few times with a different color. This hides my mistakes.

G

 

[Dace]

Thanks Ladies!

Gina, I started adding one chain and I think it is working.

I had planned to finish it yesterday while Faith was at Brownie encampment.....but it was also Homecoming and ended up spending the day running a few errands and cooking dinner for DD16 and her friends. The friends parents came over to take photos and one couple ended up staying till the dance was over at 11! So I completed about 4 rows