Why my Crochet Work is Shrinking, Getting Wider, or is Uneven?

There are so many things to worry about when we are crochet beginners. How to do the slip knot, the chain, the stitches, how to put your hands, etc., and sometimes being worried about all the stuff make us do extra mistakes. But don’t worry, we all make mistakes, even the experienced crocheters! Be patient and keep going. Probably, the solution is easier than you think.

So, to help you, here are some causes and solutions for your problems.

Your Crochet Work is Getting Wider: You Are Adding Stitches

One of the most common mistakes as a beginner is adding stitches without knowing. How can it be? When you start to crochet, it is normal not to recognize every stitch, so probably you put two stitches in one space (you did an increase without wanting it).

You would notice this because your crochet work will get bigger even though you aren’t doing it intentionally.

A handy way to correct this problem is to count every time you finish a row. I know it can sound a bit tiring, but it is the easiest way to tell if you have made a mistake.

Another option and extra help are to use stitch markers. You can put a stitch marker (such as these by Clover) at the beginning of every row to know where your first stitch was, and you can do the same with your last stitch. Don’t worry about using too many stitch markers, especially when you are beginning to learn; use one every time you think it’s important to you.

* If you need extra help recognizing stitches, I recommend reading this post: “How to Count Your Crochet Stitches”

Your Crochet Work is Shrinking: You are Skipping Stitches

Another possibility is that your crochet work is getting smaller. Why? It’s because you are skipping stitches. This is usually because of the same problem as before; you don’t know how to recognize every stitch, so you are skipping some of them. These are usually the stitches from the corner because the corners tend to curl up and confuse you when you are a crochet beginner.

How to solve this problem? Practice and do the same technique as before. Count at the end of every row and put stitch markers in your work if you need them.

Your Crochet Work is Uneven: Your Tension is Irregular

The tension is how tight or loose you crochet, and it’s the most challenging part of crocheting. It doesn’t matter if your tension is different from another person, but it has to look even when you see your work.

Managing the tension is hard because when you are learning, you are worried about the stitches, how to do it right, and maintaining an even work is not your priority.

There is no secret or easy solution for this problem, you have to take your time and learn to do every stitch with confidence, and every time you will be faster and more consistent with your stitches. In short, it’s just practice.

The only advice I can give to you would be: if you see big holes in your work, try to use a crochet hook a little bit smaller, and if you see your work being too tight or your hands are in pain from the pressure, choose a crochet hook a little bit bigger.

Now you know why your crochet work is shrinking, getting wider, or is uneven, and how to fix it, so you are prepared for the next time something like this happens. PLEASE be kind to yourself, you are learning, and it is normal to make mistakes.

Like always, I hope that this has been useful to you, and remember, if you have any questions about this topic or any suggestions for a new one, PLEASE write me a comment below or send me an email, and I’ll answer you happily.

Also, don’t forget to follow me on Instagram (@nightlycrafter) to see sneak peeks of my new blog post, my daily projects, and much more.

Happy Crocheting!

Paula.

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