How to FIX Crochet Tension - The Golden Loop

[@macaylaphillips3198]

I came to this video, DISTRESSED that I accidently made a hat for myself that could maybe fit an 8 month old baby at best. Immediately got the gauge right. I do, however, hate that I fell into the "yanker" category. Made me realize that I crochet like an absolute psycho trying to strangle the life out of my work. No wonder my hands hurt so bad. I have to keep reminding myself to hold it like a princess to keep it loose enough to be a "rider."

[@elenamikhaylova5086]

The “death gripper” crocheter haha

[@PrivacyTermsCopyriii]

You’re not alone. I’m struggling with tension, coming from knitting it’s entirely different and I just can’t get the hang of it.

[@alisong826]

Omg I love the “hold it like a princess,” although I’ll prolly swap it to “hold it like a kitten” 😹

[@KazumiShiunsai]

omg i also crochet like a psycho 😭 i'm strangling my hook

[@danzidae]

I'm sorry but this is pretty hilarious!!!

[@elspethmcgarey]

Thank you so much for this. It is good to see someone teaching crochet technique. There are many technique videos for knitters, but few for crocheters. I, for one, would appreciate more technique crochet videos. Once again, thank you. 👍

[@bellacococrochet]

You are very welcome :)

[@milicastojakovic8940]

Thank you for this tutorial! You taught me how to crochet because you were the only one I could find on yt who had tutorials for lefties. No one even thinks about us and I am happy you did. I also followed a lot of your other tutorials like bandana, spiral granny square, and tote bag .... Keep up with your work, love to see a bunch more tutorials❤️

[@bellacococrochet]

You are very welcome :)

[@sarahmorris5904]

OMG I'm obsessed with my tension I am all 3 lol! But having it explained properly and knowing whats correct what to aim for is really reassuring. Thank you! I lack knowledge and confidence on which size hooks toe use on different yarns...If I follow the recommendations on the yarn labels it doesn't always work out well, too loose or too tight...Even the videos recommendations can be off putting as not one hook fits all yarns and patterns I find...

[@debraf7427]

l've been a knitter for over 40 years. l knit daily and my tension is perfect. My crocheting is terrible, l have to repeatedly tear it out and redo it! Watching this video l've finally discovered the issue. l'm crocheting as if knitting. That first loop tension is much too tight! l am a yanker, LOL!! Thanks heaps for this video!!!

[@bellacococrochet]

You are very welcome :)

[@mazplants6689]

I, too, crochet as if I’m knitting. 😂 I even went up a hook size from what was recommended, and my tension is still super tight. 😅

[@SUNRIZEDIYZ70]

Yes. This is what I've been looking for. This helped me. Thanks live❤❤❤

[@bellacococrochet]

You're very welcome :)

[@melanieopperman6688]

That is such and eye opener. I lift and then yank it back to try get to golden so mine is very wonkey indeed. And I've switched hook size mid project so I will be mindful to check if I need to add an extra stitch. I was trying to work looser (lifting as I changed hooks) your tutorials are brilliant and so helpful

[@bellacococrochet]

I'm so glad that it was helpful :)

[@JudicialMermaid]

Depending on the yarn, I find I am a “lifter,” but tend to crochet between both “yanker” and “rider.” Some of my projects show the inconsistency of me wavering between the two depending on if I’m distracted, stressed, rushing, etc. really appreciate this!

[@patriciagillmer]

Thank you for this video. I have become a yanker. Pondering how to correct this. Your video has helped me tremendously to correct this. I tried this earlier today and was pleased with the look of my stitches. ❤️

[@bellacococrochet]

You are very welcome :)

[@annieb2043]

This was so useful! Thank you so much, I had one project where I tried about 5 different crochet hooks to get the swatch to match the designers - I could have done it so much quicker if I'd seen this first 🤣 ❤

[@bellacococrochet]

You are very welcome :)

[@openorwap5412]

This is a game changer! I've been learning to crochet over (almost) the last two years solely through KZbin tutorials. However, while I understand the importance of maintaining tension, not once have I seen a tutorial that shows where to lie the hook. So, basically, I'm all over the place, most noticeably in a blanket I just finished. This explains why! THANK YOU, so so much!

[@ayyyrayrayyy]

This helped me so much. I had made a bunch of huge granny squares and the last three I made the exact same way were way bigger than the rest and I couldn’t figure out what I did! Now I get it. I was lifting and much looser. Thank you!!!

[@bellacococrochet]

You're welcome :)

[@joeyrose22]

Thank you! This is literally GOLD. The penny dropped with me watching your video. Explained very well and love the visual. 💕👌

[@bellacococrochet]

You are very welcome :)

[@karolinejones3407]

This was incredebly helpfull! I am a new crocheter and I find half double crochet to be quite difficult to master. Now I know why 😊

[@bellacococrochet]

I'm glad that it was helpful :)

[@Selena09426]

*1:08* *1:14* golden loop *1:53* Rider *2:32* yanker *3:43* lifter

[@purfleac]

Wow! Great info! I’ve wondered about crochet technique forever and am so glad I found your channel. Thanks!

[@elenamikhaylova5086]

Woww thank you! Very clearly explained. I had no idea what “tension” actually meant until this video

[@bellacococrochet]

Glad it was helpful :)

[@drag0nblight]

I am a "Rider" when I am relaxed and a "Yanker" if stressed.

[@JaneSmith0709]

Same!

[@katiobrien7854]

😆😆😆

[@margriethecht6304]

You give the best explanations for how to acquire the best tension, and explain different stitches. Your video's are so clear ! Thank you

[@bellacococrochet]

You are very welcome :)

[@gailbradley7638]

I only taught myself to crochet during the first Covid lockdown and I do struggle with my tension so I found this video very useful. Thank you.

[@bellacococrochet]

You are very welcome :)

[@mlpencola]

Thank you for your helpful videos! Your videos literally taught me to crochet and I've been enjoying as well as continuing to learn with so much credit to your informative, to the point and nicely laid out content! You have made the "self-taught" process so much fun and stress-free!

[@bellacococrochet]

You are very welcome :)

[@oodlesacaboodles]

Thank You!! This explains a lot of why my larger projects are always off. It's because I have always crocheted with a tight tension and didn't know how to adjust it without just letting go of the yarn and not holding it so tight.

[@bellacococrochet]

You are very welcome :)

[@JessicaAmtower-Frank]

I'm a newbie and I'm definitely a lifter. I can't wait to see how I evolve while making this blanket.

[@sharonopstbaum1023]

This is an eye opener! I always felt that if I keep trying to be consistent in my stitches it will become automatic. I see now that I wander through all three types you list here not because I was holding my working yarn incorrectly, but because I was pulling up or down the “magic loop” as you called it. No one ever explained that to me before. Thanks for enlightening me. Will give it a go in tonight’s crocheting session.

[@bellacococrochet]

You are very welcome :)

[@raerae6422]

Shocked to learn that no matter the tension, the width will be the same and also that using a different size hook will alter the width but not the height. Thanks heaps. Very well explained.

[@bellacococrochet]

You're welcome :)

[@stephaniesmedes21]

I was also surprised to learn the same. When my tension wasn't correct, I'd just go up a hook size but then needed to add rows or stitches to make it match the tension in the other direction. So wonderful to learn there are techniques to deal with both width and height and changing hook size doesn't do both!!

[@lorifierstadt2375]

Thank you for making this video! I have issues with tension, and now I understand how to be more mindful of it when I'm crocheting.

[@bellacococrochet]

Glad it was helpful :)

[@cherylsmith7584]

This is brilliant! Well done and I learned a lot. Thank you. I plan to always be a rider from here on in.

[@bellacococrochet]

You're welcome :)

[@julibeswick-valentine3690]

Thank you much. I'm a hopeless case 🙄. I have learnt I am a yanker who always have to go up a size in hook. I'm the same when I knit. I am now going to practise to put things right.

[@bellacococrochet]

You're welcome :)

[@laura72339]

Just discovered I am a Yanker, good video!

[@bellacococrochet]

Thank you :)

[@KazumiShiunsai]

this is the best explanation ever, specially for us beginners, thank you! i'm a yanker XD sometimes i can't even fit my hook in a sticht because it's so tight

[@bellacococrochet]

You are very welcome :)

[@JenniferWest-s2p]

Who knew! Game changer! Thank you so much! Appreciative Lifter best wishes Jen

[@bellacococrochet]

You're very welcome :)

[@maryannmanconi6295]

THANK YOU for this video. Such a great explaination!

[@bellacococrochet]

You're very welcome :)

[@jenbravo2790]

This video is *so helpful*! Thank you!

[@bellacococrochet]

You're very welcome :)

[@rachelknight1064]

What a brilliant video - thank you Sarah Jane. Now I understand much better what is happening when I crochet and when to change hook size

[@bellacococrochet]

You are very welcome :)

[@gloriajordan3966]

Thanks for that learning more from you each time I watch you . Glad I found your channel thanks again xx

[@bellacococrochet]

You are very welcome :)

[@oliviaq4722]

Great info & makes sense now that I know! I try to be a rider, but sometimes I'm a yanker. If I need a project to be strong, I purposefully use the yanker style. Making a garden belt tool holder (instead of buying one).

[@kathywelch8722]

This is definitely good information. I would say I’m a Rider. Thank you for sharing. 💜🙏🏻

[@bellacococrochet]

You're welcome :)

[@halesann4411]

Thank you for this video. I needed this, I seem to be a yanker and lifter for the same projects. I'm going to have to slow down and try to become more of a rider.

[@bellacococrochet]

You are very welcome :)

[@evajawidzk2068]

Oh wow learned a wonderful important part to crochet. Thank you

[@bellacococrochet]

You are very welcome I hope it's helped :)

[@Iamfr0ggy]

This video is a game changer, thank you

[@bellacococrochet]

I'm glad it helped :)

[@AngelOfU2]

This is so good to know! Turns out I am a Lifter, especially when working with finer yarn. Now I know what to look out for 😄

[@bellacococrochet]

Glad it was helpful :)

[@liliasawyer7145]

Thank you for the examples. I can see where I try for Rider but tend to lean toward Yanker at the beginning of the project.

[@bellacococrochet]

You're welcome :)

[@luckysuzful]

Wow, this video came along at just the right time! I'm getting ready to do my first crochet garment (yikes) and did a swatch. I got gauge with the width, but I had way too many rows, so now I know I'm a yanker. I knew about changing the crochet hook size to get the correct width, but I had no idea how to alter my gauge to get the correct height. I do now though! Thanks so much for the timely video!

[@bellacococrochet]

You are very welcome :)

[@donacatanguma]

Thank you so much Sarah-Jayne ❤️❤️🌹🌹

[@bellacococrochet]

You're welcome :)

[@lindalawson2120]

Lifter here. Thanks for your help was looking for a way to crochet tighter just getting into crochet the baby cardigan I started would have fitted a one year old😢. Ripped it back and started knitting one. Sure this will help

[@ritaplantamura6027]

Thank you for sharing

[@bellacococrochet]

You are very welcome :)

[@suzettelombard]

Wonderful, thank you! You are my favourite crochet teacher! ❤️

[@bellacococrochet]

You are very welcome :)

[@tammyne]

Thank you so much for this video!! I try think I am both a rider and a lifter depending on the type of yarn or the stitch I'm using. I will be keeping an eye on my tension.

[@bellacococrochet]

Glad it was helpful :)

[@annechumbley7284]

Brilliant,helpful, educational video. Thank you so, so much 😀.

[@bellacococrochet]

You're welcome :)

[@billielee8706]

I had crocheted a cardigan with different length. It was so disappointed! After watching your share, I realise the problem. I will do it better in the future.

[@bellacococrochet]

Glad it was helpful :)

[@annebethkuijs9442]

Learned about this a few years ago. It was such a crucial eye opener. Luckily I am a rider so I don't have too much trouble usually.

[@foxybrnlegz]

Great tutorial and very informative. Thank you!

[@bellacococrochet]

You're welcome :)

[@Karlarocks051]

Super helpful, thank you so much! I was feeling lost when my width seemed to be okay for a gauge swatch but the length was way too short. I think I’m a ‘yanker’ and the pattern designer is a ‘lifter’. Glad that I’m starting the project 5 months before I need it 😂

[@bellacococrochet]

You are very welcome :)

[@warronchavers2209]

Hi, Bella. Very usefull, thanks 😊 again.

[@bellacococrochet]

You're welcome :)

[@jamesnorris1610]

Very Informative, Thank you

[@bellacococrochet]

You are welcome :)

[@carolynyoung7820]

I crochet mostly blankets and my tention seems to get tighter as I go. I have asked several people how to fix this, and the only thing other crocheters tell me is to make my tension more consistent. But no one has explained how to do this. So thank you so much for this video, this has been so very helpful!!! 😊

[@bellacococrochet]

You are very welcome :)

[@marcellebaldwin4036]

Oh! Now I know I’m a lifter!!! Thank you SO MUCH

[@bellacococrochet]

You're so welcome :)

[@irenebailey8084]

Thank you for this. It has been revelationary.

[@bellacococrochet]

You're welcome :)

[@OliviaSLynch]

Great tutorial, thank you! I will pay more attention while crocheting to figure out what type of Crocheter I am!

[@haydeesantana1527]

This is G6 v7 beautiful bage Haydee

[@bellacococrochet]

You are very welcome, I'm glad it was helpful :)

[@1caramella]

really very intresting the video!!!!

[@bellacococrochet]

Glad you think so :)

[@sallyweiner4180]

Love this, thank you

[@bellacococrochet]

You are very welcome :)

[@juliewhite2063]

Thank you, so useful!

[@bellacococrochet]

You're welcome :)

[@Blessed4infinity]

Thank you. I was able to shrink a project

[@bellacococrochet]

You're welcome :)

[@asky314]

So helpful!! Thank you!❤

[@bellacococrochet]

You're welcome :)

[@aNnAkt1qw]

Thank you lots.

[@bellacococrochet]

Your very welcome :)

[@ZahrasCrochetArt]

Awesome 💕💕💕

[@bellacococrochet]

Thank you :)

[@Danceswithfishes]

Rhanks for this video. Apparently I have been a lifter😢 I wanted to tell you that someone donated a huge bag of yarn and crochet hooks to oir onitting group. Maybe the owner passed away? Anyway, one of her hooks was one of yours, pink clay handle, in 4mm. No one else crochets in the group, so I claimed your hook. 😊

[@debbiescarborough7285]

Very helpful.👍

[@bellacococrochet]

Thank you :)

[@wendybullars9305]

That was really useful, thank you 😊

[@bellacococrochet]

You’re welcome 😊

[@chika8461]

I am a lifter in recovery😅 I hated because everything I did was so big and large but I found out it was for this reason and I'm doing better now

[@anasudy31]

Thanks!!!!

[@bellacococrochet]

You're welcome :)

[@Anne_Onymous]

I always put effort into making all loops around my needle the exact same width and a happy-medium amount of tension.

[@midgethorn4083]

Interesting!

[@emilythompson2051]

I'm definitely a rider and I didn't realise until I started trying to crochet garments and my gauge was all wrong. I've been doing it for years so it's a very tricky habit to break!

[@libbylandscape3560]

If I’m going along at a fast clip then my stitches tend to be fairly loose, however if I need to bury a knot between stitches instead of an edge or turning chain, then I’ll rip out enough so playing with tension gets me there. Thanks for explaining it in more detail.

[@bellacococrochet]

You are very welcome :)

[@vanessasnailsyt]

I’m a yanker! 😂 i’m trying to correct it so thank you

[@bellacococrochet]

Happy to help :)

[@angelamartin2811]

I’m a beginner and was hoping this video would show me how I hold my yarn the right way I struggle with tension and it’s causing me to struggle with crocheting

[@cathysunderland296]

Would it be possible to have a video on increasing and decreasing for shaping, please?

[@bellacococrochet]

I have a video on the invisible decrease - kzbin.info/www/bejne/m368f5l8eatsrqs which maybe of help to you :)

[@sandiarsenault7099]

I found this video explanation extremely helpful. Great way to describe the stitches. I try to emulate the way you hold the hook and yarn but I still can’t get rid of loopy first stitch on a double or triple crochet. Can you help with that.

[@bellacococrochet]

Thank you, I’m glad to hear that! 😊 Have you tried holding your hook in the knife hold (holding your hook as you would a knife) as you can then use your index finger to keep hold of that first loop, which will keep it in place and stop it from getting bigger.

[@sandiarsenault7099]

@@bellacococrochet I will try that. The previous video describing “rider” seems to have helped that quite a bit. You are marvellous with your descriptions. Looking forward to your second book. Hehe

[@mangoliac2836]

i’m a beginner crocheter and i’ve discovered that i’m a yanker, i just feel like i can’t pull the yarn through if i don’t yank on it to make the loops bigger. i’m excited to try being more mindful and hopefully i’ll become a rider!

[@amys5087]

That explains why I crochet looser. I have noticed that I lift my yarn after out through causing loose tension but I couldn't explain it.

[@carolinestewart532]

This makes sense I'm loose when crocheting so everything bigger than it should. How can I keep my edges straight x

[@bellacococrochet]

I have a method for keeping your edges straight here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/j3KXZ36CqMxsgq8 🥰

[@jessywanders8829]

What if I tried different hooks and different tensions and the Golden loop practice but I can't seem to get the gauge right for a cardigan pattern?

[@madisonhouse8229]

I like to think that I’m a rider butttt I’m a bit of a Yanker! I’m a tightening rider, my stitch always aligns with my rows but I’ll do a back and forth motion while pulling, while all my loops are on my hook, to try and compensate for my tension issues. I like it but I’m by no means a well traversed crocheter!

[@annejensen9767]

Can you show how to count rows of sc crochet ?

[@bellacococrochet]

I have a beginner's tutorial that goes over the single crochet stitch here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/bmG8doykrtxkZ9k 😊 Each stitch has a little V shape at the bottom and you can use these to count your rows.

[@jennylynneh]

I feel like I’m a combination of a yanked and a lifter. My dc stitches always have a lifter appearance when stitched into the cast on.

[@Kyle_Kas]

I must be a wrapper rider, lol. I taught myself how to crochet by reading patterns, so I never learned how to "properly" hold the yarn like I see many people do. I use my left index finger to wrap the yarn over vrs the hook to reach and grab.

[@bellacococrochet]

I think everyone has to hold their yarn whichever way is comfortable for them, I don't think there is a right or wrong way. If it works for you don't change it :)

[@yasminm7157]

Who’s team lifter here? 🙋🏻‍♀️🤣

[@jenn1730]

I notice that my loop closest to the handle seems to loosen as im working. Especially with things like a cluster stitch. Do you have tips to keep that loop from doing that?

[@bellacococrochet]

You can try using the index finger on the hand holding your hook to hold onto the loops as you make them; this can help keep them in place which should make them more even 🥰

[@soboooored]

I have a habit of tightening my stitches after making them - like, I'll yarn over, pull through, and then yank to tighten it up! I don't even notice myself doing it but I think I started doing it to try to even the size of my stitches out 🤦

[@JaneSmith0709]

I'm a yanker. It's very hard for me to do stitches that require pulling a loop up high.

[@Mareza415]

my issue is when i make animals the legs/arms and pretty much anything that requires more than 1 size are not the same. i find i corchet looser when i am doing the first one and then the 2nd one looks tighter. than ill make a 3rd and it will just look inbetween.

[@in_sane4087]

My works become very stiff...I'm made a cardigan and it's way too stiff. How can I fix it? Should I wash it to reduce the stiffness?

[@lainey3946]

I'm a lifter 🤔 Now I know why my work is always bigger than it should be 🙂

[@cleverpunkname]

see i'm a yanker but whenever i try to loosen up my yarn is falling and slipping either off my fingers or my hook.

[@ShielaSoares]

❤

[@noreenhealy7950]

How do I crochet 2nd line

[@bellacococrochet]

You might find it helpful to check out my beginner’s tutorial here that shows how to work the UK treble/US double crochet stitch in more detail: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qIS4ooCMlJx6mrc 😊

[@GratefulGma08]

I’m new to crocheting and can not get my finished project to be the same width from beginning to end. It starts wide and ends up narrower at the end. It’s very frustrating to have to rip it apart and start over and over. I know I’m obviously doing something wrong and assume it’s tension- not sure. I am a beginner with no crochet skills whatsoever.

[@bellacococrochet]

Count you’re stitches. It may be that your getting a little middled with the end of the row and keep adding a stitch by accident. You can use a stitch marker to mark the first stitch to help with this. 👍🏼

[@jaicrawford9882]

I'm a yanker until I realise I'm doing it then I'm the 3rd one. But lol it really messes up the piece I'm working on lol. I also end up adding stitches without realising it

[@watchgirl772]

I'm surprised how lose I crochet! I usually have to go down 1 or 2 hook sizes to match guage.