Curved edges are a typical problem for new and expert crocheters producing a blanket or afghan. You’re crocheting along when you notice that the beginning of your blanket resembles a “rainbow” rather than a clean straight rectangle. The essential thing to remember if this occurs is not to panic. There are various ways to repair crochet blanket curvature and prevent it from occurring in the first place.
So, how can you mend a curved crochet blanket? There are four ways to repair blankets and other rectangular projects that have begun to curve:
- Blocking
- Ripping back to a previous row
- Attaching a border to the item
- Continuing crocheting and incorporating it into a design feature
Before you decide which choice is ideal for fixing your project, you must understand how each alternative may affect the project’s ultimate conclusion.
Blocking
One solution for blanket curving is to block the project. Blocking a project is usually done with a completed project and entails extending it to the appropriate form. The fundamental approach for blocking a crochet creation is to wet the object (by washing, misting, or steaming) and then stretch the product firmly into the desired form. After stretching, the item is pinned down and allowed to dry thoroughly. When the project is dry, it retains the size and form of the blocking, depending on the kind of yarn and the degree of stretching necessary.
Blocking a curved project is probably only possible if the amount of curving is minimal or if all of the curved project’s edges are curling. It may happen with certain specialist yarns or designs, like granny squares, where the item’s edges must be consistent. Unfortunately, fixing tension, hook size, or uneven stitch counts are unlikely. Curving caused by these issues necessitates a different approach.
Return To A Previous Row
While ripping or “frogging” is frequently seen as the least desired choice for repairing a project, it may be the best solution in the case of repairing a crochet blanket curve. To tear a project, find the last place in the project where the stitches seem to be properly crocheted and undo the stitches to that point. After you’ve ‘pulled back,’ repair the issue and finish the pattern as stated.
The disadvantage of peeling back is that it takes time and effort to finish the same project element again. It may be extremely aggravating for novices who may need to tear up numerous times before completing a job. However, experienced crocheters consider tearing a project to remedy flaws as part of the process and recognize that it may be the best option in certain cases. Furthermore, practicing tension and techniques can make you a better crocheter in the long run!
Include a Project Border
If you are nearing the finish of your blanket and realize the form is curved, or if the curving is small, adding a border to the project may be an option. Consider adding a border to address the curvature using a contrasting color of yarn, the same yarn in a different crochet stitch, or a fabric swatch. In this manner, you may get consistent edges without spending time blocking or tearing back.
See the suggestions below for adding a crochet border, but keep in mind that you may need to modify the row size for some of the rows in your border to straighten curved edges. To obtain a straight, equal edge around the blanket, add a stitch or two every few stitches to the shortest side of the curved blanket. Slow down and carefully design your border before you begin to achieve the greatest end finish for your curving edges.
Continue crocheting and incorporate it into your design.
If you discover that your blanket is curved due to anomalies in the lengths of your crochet rows, you may be able to reproduce the curvature for the remainder of the blanket in a thoughtful manner. Instead of being a mistake, the curvature becomes a design feature that adds interest to your product.
Determine how many stitches were in the curved rows and then reproduce that number. You may change the design and try to make a curve in the blanket pattern in the other way. By equally decreasing and expanding the rows throughout the blanket, you may get a pleasant ‘waved’ effect on the blanket’s edges without any big complications.
It is probably an option if you’re just starting your crocheted blanket. It would seem strange if the curves were just on half of the blanket. It is also probable that the curved margins are caused by inconsistently increasing or lowering the number of stitches in the rows. It is unlikely to be an effective option for projects where the curves were generated by uneven tension or an excessively tight foundation row.
