Crochet FAQ

Sometimes you are struggling with the yarn and the hook, and things are not working! I know I had a few nasty and stubborn problems the first couple of years. So i thought it would be great to have a nice FAQ on common crochet problems. The lovely members of Ravelry and my own experiences have put this together, but if you have a great pointer or a nagging question, please do  not hesitate to comment!

Halp! “Wrong side”, “right side”, I can’t see the difference!

How many turning chains for a sc/hdc/dc?

The height of the stitch

In which stitch do I start after making a turning chain?

It depends. If you are working with single crochet you make your first chain in the same stitch the turning chain is in. If you are making a half double crochet/double crochet/treble, you make your turning chain, and make the next “real” stitch in the NEXT stitch. You need to do it like this because for hdc and up your turning chain counts as a full stitch. Otherwise you will keep increasing!

How to make the last stitch of a row?

Because of the turning when you are crocheting flat you will always work your last stitch in the turning chain of the previous row. See picture!

I’ve completed my round, joined with a slip stitch, and chained. What is the first stitch I work into now?

The next stitch. Not the one where your turning chain sticks in, but the next. See above questions and picture!

How do you change yarn colour?
Actually, see below "How do you join yarn when you run out?" to get a crisp change!

How do you join yarn when you run out?
Grab a ball. Make sure you have an end of about 7 inches or 15 cm of your working yarn left. Make a stitch up to the LAST step (for example if you are making a dc STOP when you are going to yarn over and pull through the last two loops). Grab your new yarn end from your new ball. Make sure you also leave about 7 inches dangling behind your work. Make your last yarn over and pull through to make the last step. Tug it a little and crochet on!

What’s a magic circle?

What does "counts as a stitch" mean?
If you read this in a pattern you are probably starting a row or round. To really start off you will need to make a certain amount of chain stitches. These chain stitches add height so you can make your normal stitches. The most common thing you see is this: "Chain 3 (counts as a stitch/dc)" this means that if there is a total amount of stitches after a certain row or round also includes this chain 3. For example if you need to have 24 double crochets at the end of a row, you will have 23 double crochets plus your chain 3.

How do you know when you are at the end of the row?

If you are working in rows your last stitch will always be the first stitch OR the starting chain of the previous row.

A clear image on working into the chain, I struggled with that to begin with.

Here's a video on all ways to crochet into a chain!




Images on how to work all the basic stitches.

Coming Soon!

My pattern is in US/UK/Dutch crochet terms. Is there a conversion table?
Here you go:

Changing colours mid and end rows/rounds.
See "How do you join yarn when you run out?" and "How do you change yarn colour?"

Tips on weaving ends and joining pieces.

Coming Soon!

Halp! My swatch is the wrong size!
That is why I just love love love any yarn/any gauge patterns :) But if your swatch is too small (more stitches in an inch than stated) make another swatch with a bigger hook (or thicker yarn). If your swatch is too big use a smaller size hook or thinner yarn. 

Do you have any questions or advice you think belongs here! Drop me a message and I will put your wise words on this page!

-X-
Barbara