Crochet Tension Problems: Fix Tight, Loose or Uneven Stitches

[@ritamclaughlin9681]

Thank you for the tips. A few years ago, I decided to only keep the hooks I like (tapered) and get rid of the rest. Now when I grab a hook, I know it’s one I like!

[@TuulaMaaria]

That's a great idea!

[@Ticolme819]

Thank you for the tips. They are always so helpful.

[@TuulaMaaria]

That's great!

[@dianekassmann8821]

Clover Amour are the best, most comfortable hooks I’ve used in over 50 years of crocheting. I love working with them!

[@JuicyPeaches504]

Agree! I've not touched another hook since buying my first clover amour about 8 years ago 😊

[@TuulaMaaria]

I totally agree!

[@beverlydevriesburrows3097]

I find that as a blanket gets larger and has some weight, my stitches stretch and grow. And I find that as I get very comfortable with the repeats, I tend to speed up, which also causes my stitches to be looser.

[@TuulaMaaria]

True, that easily happens! I have to watch that too when making something larger.

[@JuicyPeaches504]

@beverly I'm the same... Then I focus on my tension for a while and it gets back to normal then forget again and it starts growing again lol. 😊

[@bbsamazon]

Interesting - I find my stitches tend to to get tighter! 😂

[@bbsamazon]

One suggestion I have for you is that when you’re working on larger projects, put the already finished fabric into a large bowl. The bowl will support your project and it will take the weight and thus the tighter tension off what you are working with.

[@HandmadeHavenAu]

I find I startnoff tighter and get looser as I go, so often I start with a bigger hook then after a few rows I drop back a size. I tend to mostly do blankets in the round so this stops the centre being too tight.

[@beckywilcoxson2294]

Clover is my favorite by far.

[@TuulaMaaria]

Yes, they are great!

[@brandigirl313]

Sending sunshine Ms. Tuula! -Maia and Brandi ☀️

[@TuulaMaaria]

Lovely, thank you!

[@nadinejones9703]

Thanks, I enjoy and learn from your “help” videos… keep them coming..❤️🌼

[@TuulaMaaria]

Thank you! I'm doing some individual problems instead of always 5 or 10 on one video!

[@CrochetJoJo]

Love all the advice that you give! Sooo useful! Thank you

[@TuulaMaaria]

Thank you so much!

[@gretchenchristophel1169]

I find that hook selection is hugely important. I have the metal hooks (aluminium and steel), and resin and wood. I find that certain yarns work better with certain hooks. Acrylic yarn and aluminium or resin hooks, cotton and steel hooks...natural animal fiber with wood. I might add the wood hooks need to be of good quality and polished. Good hooks and good quality yarn are the secret to happy crocheting. 🤗

[@TuulaMaaria]

I agree! Different hooks work with different fibers and also different techniques at times.

[@rebeccaboothe4825]

I agree that crochet often really makes a difference. I look at things I've done two years ago and there's such a big difference.

[@TuulaMaaria]

Lovely that you see how have progressed! 💜

[@ahill2239]

Good video! I think how you feel about your project, how it looks to you, and how comfortable it is to work on will show in your tension. If I don't like the project my tension is tight and the fabric is often stiff. If I think it looks good and it's comfortable to crochet I'll want to work on it which results in even, consistent tension. When I begin a project I'll start a swatch with the recommended hook size on the yarn label, then go up or down in hook size to see the effect. I look at stitch definition and drape which are common but I am most interested in how easy/fluid/comfortable making the stitches are and the overall fabric density to see if it's appropriate to my project.

[@TuulaMaaria]

Great, that's exactly how I work too!

[@juliachapman1899]

Thank you, Tuula, for your expert tips😊 & lovely vids/instruction. Too true, the more one keeps crocheting the better one’s tension. Otherwise I have to start carefully & slowly & with a good technique & let the speed develop naturally by staying relaxed! One thing I do find is that with speed my tension gets tighter & so I need to change up to a .5mm bigger hook size! Not a real problem really as it’s the same playing a musical instrument (warming up?!) when one can just get on with it all😊. 💓J C in Australia

[@TuulaMaaria]

Thank you! Probably many people have the same, crocheting faster makes tighter stitches. Greetings from Finland 💙

[@deslauriersmama]

I make a small swatch and test different hooks and sizes to see which one works best. I make any necessary adjustments to my pattern (...if I'm using one) AFTER I get the right look/feel for what I'm making.

[@TuulaMaaria]

Yes, that is a great way to work once you are experienced enough to make changes to a pattern. Many people may not know how to do that, then you need to match the gauge in the pattern.

[@Joy-TheLazyCatLady2]

Thank you very very much for taking the time to do this video. This information is invaluable. I wish someone had taught me this 40 years ago when I started but I have had to learn the hard way. Beginners will really find this helpful. Thank you again. 💙🧶🧵📝✌🏻

[@TuulaMaaria]

Thank you so much! True, there are many things that would have been helpful earlier on in our crochet journey, I definitely notice that myself too.

[@rolinahyde1856]

Morning Tuula,I am listening to your message on tension and I am enjoying it very much and also loving the rug on your chair and I’m wondering if you have a pattern for it that you can share ,love you tutorials ,thanks

[@TuulaMaaria]

Wonderful! I don't have a pattern for the blanket but it is made in treble V-stitch that I do have a video for kzbin.info/www/bejne/horKkGmue6eFipI , I used quite a big hook and every row is a different colour.

[@fascinatingtastes]

While crocheting a garment, our shawl for that matter, using stitch markers at the beginning and end give me direction of where I should start and end a row

[@TuulaMaaria]

That can be helpful, thank you!

[@barbsdee3831]

My favourites are clover amour too ❤

[@TuulaMaaria]

They are great!

[@suebigger5097]

Great advise as always🌹

[@TuulaMaaria]

Thank you! I had this same question as part of a video with 10 questions but sometimes it's worth bringing the subjects up again!

[@engenulf]

Clover Amour hooks for me. I crochet quite evenly but find I need a larger hook for the starting chain to get a nice edge.

[@rachelmckitterick]

Ohhh my gosh I was asking you about this not too long ago! Thank you SO much! This is extremely helpful ❤❤❤❤ I appreciate you.

[@TuulaMaaria]

Lovely, thank you!

[@chelliespider]

The Clover Amour hooks were a game changer for me! I only wish they had the metal ones in the larger sizes

[@TuulaMaaria]

Ok! I haven't actually checked what thier bigger sizes are like, I rarely need anygt´hing bigger thatn 5mm.

[@Nora-jt9zy]

Thank you so much for this video. I am a fairly new crocheter, as in I have only really crocheted a couple of years, although I learned it many years ago. I started out with only crocheting with cotton yarn (and tried a bit of wool). I felt that I was a bit slow, and couldn’t really get a flow when I worked. This summer I bought a rather cheap acrylic yarn, and set out to do some hexagon granny squares that I had wanted to try. With the simplicity of these squares, and the stretch in the yarn, I was able to work up my speed and the flow and had a lot of fun when doing these squares. I am naturally a pencil holder, but I have recently had some problems with some muscle tension in my right hand that forced to take a little break in my crochet. Then I read in a comment section about a woman who had converted to knife hold, so during the past couple of weeks I have practiced knife hold, and I’m now decent enough with it to enjoy that too. Last night I revisited my pencil hold, and I still prefer that, but it’s nice to be proficient in both, because I use somewhat different muscle groups, so by varying my technique, I will hopefully be able to keep future tension problems at bay 😊

[@TuulaMaaria]

Great that you are finding ways that work best for you! Switching between pencil hold and knife hold does certainly use some different muschles and positions so it's good you can use both. 💜

[@jeanieq6153]

My problem is chaining. If the chain is uneven, at least in my case, the first row is wonky. My chain is always too tight and my project curves. I go up one or two hook sizes and that gives a loopy border. Today is Thanksgiving Day in the US. I take this time to thank the people in my life for all they do for me. Thank you Tuula for sharing your knowledge and experience. Your videos are so helpful to me.

[@TuulaMaaria]

Thank you so much! Would you consider using other methods instead of the normal chain? Foundation single, double, trebele crochet where you crochet the chain and first row at the same time. Or for some projects at least, using the icord chain I recently made a video of kzbin.info/www/bejne/aHKwe4uMfq6Dh80 . The foundation chains are also on my channel many times, you could search!

[@jeanieq6153]

@ I’ve struggled with the foundation chain to the point I gave up. Your method is far superior. Thanks for the advice.

[@sheryldye4259]

I'm not sure what you call it but I like to start an afghan with the first row done with the chain. It's more stretchy and not so tight, also looks good. Chainless Foundation.

[@TuulaMaaria]

Yes, chainless foundation works great for many projects!

[@donnaobrien2858]

Thanks for the tips! I use the same hooks that you like, they are very comfortable to use! Love your videos!

[@TuulaMaaria]

Glad to hear!

[@dooglitas]

I have always used inline hooks. I have tried the tapered ones and find them very frustrating and cumbersome. However, no all inline hooks are the same. When I first started years ago, I started using the old-style Susan Bates hooks. They worked like a dream. Crocheting was smooth with virtually no splitting. Later, the Susan Bates company changed the engineering of their hooks, and the newer ones were sharper, causing more snagging and splitting. Some years ago, I got on Ebay and searched for the older vintage-style Susan Bates hooks. I now have a large supply of those hooks, which I love and use all the time. A few of my hooks are the newer style. I generally don't use them. I have a large number of Boye hooks, which are the tapered type. I never use them. Unfortunately, good inline hooks these days are hard to find.

[@TuulaMaaria]

Great that you have found ones that work best for you! 👍

[@1lmp1]

I have noticed that the time of the day I crochet affects the evenness of the stitches, as does what I have been doing just before sitting down to crochet. If I was mowing my lawn just previously, it is harder to perform small motor movements without taking a rest break first. The stitches tend to be more loose when hurting. Present-day young crafters do not understand how lucky they are! I started my crocheting before color photographs become common. Now we have that little gadget in the pocket everywhere. Even if I have multiple sets of crochet hooks and knitting needles, I often want to use just that one specific hook in another smaller project I take with me when I go somewhere where I must wait sitting down. Hence, when I start a project and get it going, I take a picture of the project, the hook, and the yarn sleeve to a file. If I make something I really like, it is easy to reproduce just going to the file to check. Old from kept a binder with taped yarn pieces, sleeves, and written notes. As Tuula says in here, even the type of the same mm hook alters the stitch size. I also tend to thighten my stitches as my work progresses. As a tip on working with those cheap acrylic yarns Tuula mentioned, I once saw someone giving a tip to improve the softness. She instructed to put the skein in a meshed laundry bag and soak in a bucket of water with fabric softerner. After squeeze the water carefully away and dry it in clothes dryer. I tried it for curiosity. But I was afraid it would mess up the skein so I put it in an old pantyhose leg ( yeah, I am a pack rat, still have decades old ones stored for any craft use), tied rubberbands in both ends to prevent movement and left it soaking several hours. Plain squeezing did not get enough water out so I used the old trick from my youth when I wanted to go to party with my room mates but had no clean pantyhose and had to fast handwash. To dry them I wrapped them in a towel, set it on the floor and stepped over it until all water was out. It worked quite well with the skein also. Then I dried in the dryer. The yarn became considerably softer compared to untreated skeins. That trick works also on old yarn raveled some old unfinished project.

[@TuulaMaaria]

You are definitely right in that what you do before starting to crochet can affect your work. And it is so handy to take a photo of an unfinished project with its hook and yarn label. What I need to learn is to keep them all in one place so I find one I need! I have seen various tips about cheap acrylic yarn, including what you describe but I haven’t tried any. Probably because I don't think I still would enjoy the feel of the yarn in my hands. The trick about drying something by putiing it into a towel and walking on it is at the same time funny and probably effective, never heard of that! 😊

[@stitchy_linn]

I find inline hooks are actually better to work with splitty yarns for me. For example Caron Simply Soft (very splitty yarn!) when I switched from tapered to inline I had way less problems. Maybe I'm an oddball? 😅😂😅

[@TuulaMaaria]

Whatever works for you is fine

[@1lmp1]

I started knitting and crocheting at age 4.5 y/o in Finland. Now, I have been doing both over 65 years. Due to so long a time of practice, I also make pretty even fabric. I have autoimmune disease that affects joints, and that has started to cause some effect. Hence, I would not do projects as thin yarn lace or any tight wound nylons on periods I am hurting more. As you mention about the stitch evenness depending a lot from the way the yarn runs, I have also seen some people wrap the yarn around the forefinger. Then, they have to always stop after a few stitches to rewrap. To me, that seems frustrating. It is the same as a baker making a cake, beating the eggs and sugar for 15 seconds, removing the whisk from the batter, setting it to a plate next to a bowl, lifting the wisk going back to whipping and then repeat that same from bowl to plate, back to bowl, over and over again.😂 I have found it easiest to have the yarn over my left forefinger, under the middle finger, over the ring finger and under the small finger. I let the yarn run closest to the palm. Then my left fingers can remain closest to where I form the stitches. That gives the most control and promotes even stitches. It also increases speed. Even if I knit and crochet for pleasure and relaxation, I still want to finish projects fast and not have them hang around for years. 😊

[@TuulaMaaria]

Thank you for sharing! 😊 You learned to crochet very young, just like me! Sorry about your disease that affects crocheting and knitting too but great that you have found ways to work around it. The comparison to beating eggs is good, I would feel that way too but then it works for some people! I'm always amazed at how different ways people crochet and the result looks the same. There are variations in knitting styles too but nowhere near as many! Happy crafting! 👍

[@PinkPumpkin529]

Ooh, you l👀k sooo pretty in lavender!!! L👀king for good but fairly easy pattern for throw/blanket for ppl in wheelchairs or perhaps bed bound! Tomorrow Oct 1st already! Where did 2024 go? Also, would like to "post" a FREE pattern for little girl's hair ribbons! We crocheted them back in late 70's, early 80's! You & your Subscribers may have it already but may have "forgotten" it! Only w/your permission Miss Tuula! Thank you! Hoping your Oct starts w/a smile! 🩷✌️

[@TuulaMaaria]

Thank you, have a great October too! I haven't seen crocheted hair ribbons, wonder what they were like. There are many crocheted scrunchies around. For throw blankets I find the mini bead stitch ideal, just made a baby blanket using that stitch. I have a tutorial for the stitch here, just for the stitch but for a blanket you just repeat it until it is the right size. kzbin.info/www/bejne/qGi9XniMiZygbtk

[@PinkPumpkin529]

@@TuulaMaaria Good Day Miss Tuula!!!Thank you for your response & will check out your suggested pattern! As for pigtail ribbons, not sure where or who made up pattern but I got it from fellow hooker back in 1979 @ Grand Forks AFB, N. Dakota, USA! I've made hundreds of them! I've varied size of course for teeny, tiny babies using very fine baby yarn & steel hooks! Also, allowed for longer hair w/large size by adding chains! W/O further ado! **CROCHETED PIGTAIL RIBBONS** * Sport yarn * "G" or 4.5 mm hook Small: Ch 14, *2 dc in 4th ch from hook, 3 dc in next 8 ch, 1 dc, 1 hdc in next ch, 1 sc in last ch* ch 64 *repeat, finish off. Large: Ch 29, *2 dc in 4th ch from hook, 3 dc in next 23 ch, 1 dc, 1 hdc in next ch, 1 sc in last ch* ch 79, * repeat, finish off. To make things easier, I ch 50 for small instead of 64, place marker, then ch last 14! That keeps you from having to count how many "clusters" you've done! Same for Large, just ch 50, stitch marker, ch last 29! These ribbons will corkscrew, like the wind spinners! Really cute w/variegated yarns! Let me know if you try them! They're quick, cute & will make a good "combo" Mother/Daughter sale, Velvet Scrunchie for Mom, ribbons for little one! Enjoy & Share! 🩷✌️👍

[@TuulaMaaria]

@@PinkPumpkin529 Thank you so much, I will definitely try those!

[@GaiaCarney]

Thank You, @TuulaMaaria 🧶

[@donnaclinton5578]

I’m crocheting a baby blanket after many years not doing any. If I’m tired, the stitches are tighter, more rested they are looser. Beginning and end of rows I tend to go tighter than the centers. At least my ends are usually straight. Now I don’t stress over it anymore.

[@ShainaMakesStuff]

The time of day/ how tired I am definitely affects my stitches!

[@TuulaMaaria]

You are right, it can affect the stitches if you are tired, not well or concentrating on something else more while crocheting!

[@loragarza5097]

Do you work with threads. I have an issue with doing filet crochet, that I am trying to get help with

[@TuulaMaaria]

Over the years I have worked with thread quite a lot, mainly lacemaking.

[@loragarza5097]

@@TuulaMaaria my question is I have been trying to do filet crochet. I noticed that my foundation chain always seems too tight. I've tried chaining looser and even using a larger needle. Any suggestions

[@Aleks25900]

I've been a tight crocheter for over 30 years. Can't change that. But it's always even. I find very loose crochet looks sloppy. (Sorry) The clover Amour and Clover soft touch are my faves. I've never ever done a gage swatch. 😂

[@NannaLannaCrochet]

Can’t find your video for beginner crocheters

[@TuulaMaaria]

Not sure what video you are referring to, sorry.

[@sovereigns1grace]

The greatest mistake I made as a new crocheter was to wrap the yarn only around the spot just behind the hook instead of around the barrel (widest part which is the measurement, i.e. 3.5 mm). This caused me to struggle getting the hook inserted into loops/stitches and created a horribly misshapen project. Wrap the yarn around the appropriate part of the hook!!

[@bbsamazon]

Agreed! Make sure the loop that’s on your hook is around the shaft and that your tension is based on that! Tension is everything!

[@TuulaMaaria]

Ok, I never thought of that, it is so automatic where the yarn goes! Have to think of it next time!

[@sarveale]

Tip I do is always buy an extra ball of yarn if I can. And make a few swatches or one long one with different hook sizes to see which I like best. I may do 15 or 20 stitches across and 10 rows change hook size do another 10 rows and so on and see which I like best for my project and that yard. Then I pick my favourite and start my project. It's normally my 5mm hook as the smaller one are a but to small for me and my stitches are either way to loose or way to tight. With the 5 they are just right. I've been crocheting on and off for about 10 to 12 years but I'd class myself as a beginner because I stop and start. I've made a few blankets a few granny square and 1 my own idea of half treble UK terms but messed up the boarder as it curled on the corners and i made it way to long but as it's for me so I don't mind. I've made scarfs as well but honestly im scared to try any thing else. Although I'd really like to try and make myself an oversized jumper but I'm not good at reading patterns or lots of different stitches. I'm no sure when to add A stitch or take away a stitch etc or how exactly. I know you add A stitch just by crocheting another one in one gap but taking away either skip one or try and do two together. That's about my knowledge. Stupid here forgot to do 3 on my blanket corners after the first row on my blanket but I know now for next time. So you see I may have been crocheting a bit of time in total but the knowledge and practice isn't there. I'll pick up my project maybe crochet a couple hours for a few days or a week then get fed up or board leave it a few months then pick it up again do a few rows stop may do a dew rows the next day not pick it up for a week or couple of weeks then pick it up again. My blanket took me 2 years just over to actually do. I started it put it down for a year did a bit more put it down and then just attacked it and got it done in a couple weeks doing a bit every day. Yes this is the one i messed the corners up on. Now I've got no project I don't know what to do. So you see although I Luke croc het I'm not confident enough to try and make myself something yet really want to. Before I loose interest again for another year. But getting yarn when I'm out never gets old I've got loads. Mainly double knit acrlic or arron. I've also got really chunky yarn. Which I've no idea what I was thinking when I bought it execpt ohh I like that good price I'll have some of that. Caked it up and never used. Probably got enough to make something but no courage. So you see my problem. I need help. Xx

[@TuulaMaaria]

Thank you for sharing! I wonder if there is a crochet group near you so you could get help and encouragement from others. Some yarn stores have them regularly. Another things is to make small projects, like hats or scarves so you don't get tired of them before they are done. Happy crocheting!

[@judylake8464]

I found that if I start the chain with a size or two larger than the hook used in the pattern, my chain won't be too tight.

[@TuulaMaaria]

Great, yes, that often works!

[@AnnaAtkins-bl2dj]

You mention poor quality yarn. I am a beginner, also a senior and have no idea what better quality yarns are. I know that Caron Simply Soft splits because I just bought some. I really don't have the money to buy and try all the different kinds to find out. I would like some ideas.

[@JuicyPeaches504]

I love a lot of Premier yarns. Premier Sweet Roll is my favorite worsted weight. And clover amour crochet hook. Hobby lobby also has a line of "i love this yarn" they're great too 😊🧡

[@bettymarshall2702]

When I started I picked up nice yarn from charity shops. Over time I mainly prefer wool and cotton.

[@TuulaMaaria]

The brands you can get depends on where you live unless you want to order internationally. I personally don't use acrylic yarn but mainly wool or wool mixes. Cotton is great too, depending on what you are making. The brands I use are mainly European, some of them like Drops is available all over. One great yarn is Drops Karisma, it is washable, mainly wool,remains in good condition even after a lot of wear.

[@AnnaAtkins-bl2dj]

Thank you!

[@juliachapman1899]

@@AnnaAtkins-bl2dj I am so grateful to a few in particular wonderful teachers/demonstrators on KZbin. Tuula, you in particular, are so generous with all your wise hints in crochet😊💓 I try to buy yarns when they are on special! It helps my budget. Even if it means hunting around different makes for the right COLOURS. & then I am allergic to wool so a small percentage of wool included is OK if I won’t be wearing the item made! I avoid cotton too because it doesn’t stretch or have “give” like acrylic… My favourite brand is Lion Brand because of Mandala & Pound of ❤️but like to try other plied,blended & varied makes. As to hooks I have tried many but always come back to Tulip Etimo in Red. These are great as they don’t reflect back at my eyes when I wear a camping headlight because of my bad eyesight😊 & they run through smoothly on any yarn to help speed! Wood is nice too but not always smooth & plastic appears so nice but I find it squeaks & fights yarn a bit😕? I suppose we all find what suits us each, all as we just want to be happy!?🕊️ I ❤️ crochet & 🧶 OXOX j c

[@denissechristensen919]

I had trouble with my stitches being to tight until I started using crochet rings. Now I can’t work without them.

[@TuulaMaaria]

Good to know that they work, I have never tried!

[@marbuo6336]

Rings made a big difference for me as well. With arthritis I am also starting to see if I can clip my work to a ruler to keep it straight and easier to hold.

[@bbsamazon]

As to hooks - don’t use an inline and the other type both on the same project! You will definitely mess up your tension!

[@TuulaMaaria]

That's a good point! The result from different types of hooks is different!