Crocheting is a fun craft, but for beginners, it's inevitable to encounter various small problems at the start. The following practical guides will help you embark on your crocheting journey more smoothly and avoid detours.
Tips for Beginners to Keep Starting Stitches from Loosening
Starting stitches are the first step in crocheting. Loose starting stitches can cause the edges of the work to deform, affecting the overall appearance. Beginners can try these two methods:
One is to keep the yarn wrapping force even. When starting stitches, pinch the yarn end with your fingers and maintain a consistent force when wrapping the yarn. Don't make it too loose, which would make the loops shake, nor too tight, which would make it difficult for the crochet hook to insert later. You can practice several times on waste yarn first to find the right force for yourself.
The second is to use an auxiliary loop. The first chain stitch of the starting can be a little larger as the base loop. The subsequent chain stitches are crocheted according to the tightness of this loop, which can effectively prevent the starting stitches from being loose or tight. After crocheting the starting stitches, gently pull the loops with your fingers to check if there are any obvious looseness. If there are individual loose loops, you can go back one stitch and re - crochet.
Simple and Practical Method for Changing Yarn
When you run out of yarn or need to change colors during crocheting, changing yarn is a necessary step. Beginners can use this simple method:
When you need to change yarn, when you finish the last step of the last stitch with the original yarn, don't tighten the loop. Instead, place the end of the new yarn on the crochet hook, pass it through the loop together and tighten. Then continue crocheting with the new yarn. The two ends can be temporarily placed on the back of the work. After crocheting, use a tapestry needle to hide the ends in the stitches of the fabric, which is both firm and does not affect the appearance.
When changing yarn, note that the end of the new yarn should be about 10 cm long to facilitate hiding the end later. If you are changing to a different color yarn, try to change the yarn at the stitch where the two colors meet to make the color transition more natural.
Tips for Easily Handling Yarn Ends
Many yarn ends will be generated during crocheting. If not handled properly, the work will look messy. Beginners can do this:
One is to hide the ends while crocheting. When crocheting, when you encounter a short end on the back, place the end above the crochet hook. As the hook goes in and out, let the new yarn wrap around the end. Adjust the position of the end every few stitches. In this way, the end is naturally hidden inside the fabric, saving the trouble of hiding a lot of ends later.
The second is to use the knotting method for fixation. For longer ends, after changing the yarn, tie a small knot with the old and new ends to fix them. Note that the knot should be close to the stitch. Then cut the excess end short, leaving 3 - 5 cm. After the work is completed, use a tapestry needle to thread the end from the back of the fabric, shuttling back and forth several times, then cut it off. This is both firm and beautiful.
Key Points to Avoid Deformation of Works
Beginners' crocheted works often deform. It is mainly caused by these reasons. Doing these well can effectively avoid it:
First, keep the force of the crochet hook consistent. When crocheting each stitch, the force should be even. Don't make some stitches tight and others loose. You can often compare the crocheted parts while crocheting. If a certain section of stitches is obviously too tight or too loose, adjust the force in time.
Second, choose the right combination of crochet hook and yarn. If the crochet hook is too thick and the yarn is too thin, it will cause the work to be loose and deformed; if the crochet hook is too thin and the yarn is too thick, the work will be tight and stiff. Refer to the method of matching crochet hooks and yarns mentioned before, and choose the corresponding crochet hook according to the thickness of the yarn, which can reduce the deformation problem from the root.
In addition, check the size of the work regularly. During crocheting, measure the width and length of the work with a ruler every few rows and compare it with the expected size. If a large deviation is found, adjust the crocheting force or replace it with a suitable crochet hook in time.
Mastering these practical guides can make beginners more handy in the crocheting process. Crocheting is a process that gets better with practice. Don't be afraid of making mistakes. Practice more and summarize more, and you will soon be able to crochet satisfactory works.