There are a few possibilities as to why your crochet creation began to curve in the first place. Determining what happened may assist you in determining which of the following options will best solve the situation.
Tension in the Foundation Row
Crochet items typically begin to bend because the foundation chain (where you began the project) was made too firmly. If your tension is tighter on the initial row than on the succeeding rows, the project will seem to broaden as your tension continues to release in later rows. It may be seen visually if your project produces a rainbow shape, with the beginning rows being quite tight and gradually loosening.
Unfortunately, there aren’t many choices for repairing this sort of pulling back to the beginning and restarting the foundation row. Blocking may be an effective approach to loosen up some of the stitches, depending on the tightness of the foundation row. However, it is advisable to restart projects that are nearing completion.
When starting new projects, remember that consistent tension (not too tight nor too loose) is optimal for the foundation row. If you often suffer from too tight a foundation row, you may need to build your foundation chain using a hook that is one or two sizes bigger than the suggested size. Using the bigger hook for the first row or two before reducing it to the suggested hook ensures that the row does not curl from being too tightly built. To make your first row, you may alternatively use a chainless foundation stitch (see below).
Yarn Replacement
You may also see curling in your crochet blanket when you change yarns. If your curling appears a few rows after changing the color or weight of your yarn, you may need to modify the hook size. To maintain the same consistent tension, various yarns need varied hook sizes. If you have curvature after changing yarns, rip back to where the yarns switch and adjust your hook size. To decide which hook size will result in the most equal rows of stitches, do a second gauge swatch with the yarn swap in the middle.
Maintain an equal stitch count for each row.
Another typical source of row curvature is the addition of stitches to the row. It’s simple to get sidetracked or lose track of the overall number of stitches in a row, particularly when working with intricate combinations of stitches. Inadvertently repeating a group of stitches or adding stitches to each row might cause the margins of your creation to expand. While this may result in a triangle rather than a rainbow, it still produces inconsistencies.
Suppose you find yourself adding stitches to rows frequently; using stitch markers while crocheting may be beneficial. These can help you track how many stitches are in your row. You may also mark the final stitch in each row to ensure that you turn the row at the proper stitch every time.
In each row, place the start and end stitch appropriately.
Another reason your crochet blanket’s edges may be uneven is if you arrange your start and end stitches in your rows improperly (or inconsistently). First, determine whether you plan to count the final stitch of a row as a stitch or if you will not count it as a stitch at the start of a project. Regardless of your method, you must be constant, or the rows will be uneven or begin to curve.
Keeping the starting stitch in the same location for each row is also vital. By placing the hook into the incorrect section of the chain on the first stitch, you may mistakenly add a stitch at the start of each row. Likewise, if you stitch to the finish, the blanket edges will extend with time, resulting in an elliptical rather than a precisely square blanket.
To prevent concerns with projects that ‘expand’ from too many stitches in the rows, keep your thread count even for each row (see #3 for strategies to keep track of stitch count) and put the start and end stitch in the proper area.
Switching Hooks in the Middle of a Project
Although it may be essential to use a little bigger hook to get the optimum foundation tension, changing hooks amid a blanket should be avoided at all costs. Crochet hook sizes may vary greatly across manufacturers, even though the same size is specified on the hooks. If you put a blanket away and then return to it with a different hook (even one of the same size), you will notice changes in tension and the possibility of curving.
Always use the same hook once you begin the body part of your blanket to maintain the most equal, even tension throughout your creation.
Remember that it is a necessary step in the process.
The essential thing to remember about all of the crochet tips and methods described here is that learning to crochet is a process. Even the most seasoned crocheters make mistakes. So knowing how to repair them (and avoid them in the future) might be beneficial. The most essential thing, though, is to keep going. The most common error in crochet is stopping a project in the middle because you don’t know how to mend it. It may take a few tries to figure out what’s wrong, but if you keep practicing, you’ll become a better crocheter and be able to make better products!
