It doesn't matter if you are a beginner or you've been crocheting for years; not having even stitches is a common problem. How Tight Should Crochet Stitches Be?
Well, it comes down to one word: tension. Crochet stitches can't be too
tight or too loose otherwise you will have problems with your project.
The yarn should move smoothly from your yarn-holding hand to your
crochet hook. There are several ways to check if your tension is too
tight or too loose when crocheting, which will help you determine how
tight crochet stitches should be. On this page, we will go over
everything you need to know about learning the proper stitch proximity.
It would be super convenient to tell you that all crochet stitches were a
certain size, thickness, width, but that is not the case. If you're
wondering how to keep the right tension when crocheting, then this guide
will help. You can easily test your tension by doing a few different
trials and experiments. We promise, knowing your tension is going to
save you a lot of frustration and heartache once you see the difference
it makes in crochet.
Tension goes hand-in-hand with gauge, which is the number of stitches
per inch and row. Depending on your tension, your gauge might not be
correct for what you're working on. Don't fret, though, because when it
comes to figuring out how tight your crochet stitches should be, we have
all the tools and advice to help solve your woes.
How Should Stitches Look?
When it comes to figuring out how tight crochet stitches should be, it helps to be observant. Before you start crocheting something new, make sure you know what it's supposed to look like. The overall look, the specific stitches, and so on. Then you can tell sooner rather than later if what you're doing is looking as it should.Each type of stitch has its own look and definition that can be made more or less distinct with tension and gauge changes. Know what you're creating and make sure the first pass looks right.
You will most likely encounter problems whether you crochet too tightly or too loosely. There are some crochet patterns that don't rely too heavily on tension and gauge, so it may be best to start with those types. These would be the types of projects that don't need exact measurements. Scarves and some baby blankets for example. Projects like clothing need the crochet work to be exact otherwise it won't fit.
When
crocheting, it's important how you hold the yarn in your non-hook hand
(left hand for right-handers and right hand for left-handers). If you
hold it taut, then there's a good chance you'll be crocheting too
tightly. If there's too much slack, your stitches may be too loose.
Experienced crocheters who know their tension level can determine what
tightness they desire on their crochet projects (sometimes tighter or
looser stitches are better) but it takes skill to get to that point. In
the beginning, it's best to stick to what the pattern calls for and
adjust your hook as needed.
If I crochet too tightly, what will happen?
If you crochet tight, you'll start having trouble pretty quickly. It
will be difficult for you to make movements with your hook. Pushing the
crochet hook through the tight stitch space is going to require a lot of
effort and will take you longer and make it more difficult for you to
finish.
Other Problems You May See with Tight Stitches:
- The finished piece may be much smaller than it should be because the stitches are closer together than intended.
- Your project may curl because of the tight stitches.
- Your hands may hurt faster than with looser tension. It's a lot of pressure when you are holding and moving with a firm grip.
If I crochet too loosely, what will happen?
If you crochet too loose, it will be easy to find the space to move your
crochet hook but your project will be lacking definition. You will have
trouble seeing where exactly your next movement should take place
because there aren't clear stitches and spaces as there should be.
Other Problems You May See with Loose Stitches:
- The finished piece may be much larger than it should be because the stitches are farther apart than intended.
- Your project won't look sharp or well-defined because the stitches and rows won't have the right spacing.
- The project will be more likely to have a pulled
stitch or to fall apart faster because it's lacking the tightness and
stability intended.
It can be really frustrating to spend hours of your time on a project, only to realize that it isn’t turning out the way you envisioned. If this a problem you find that you keep running into over and over, keep reading for this guide, How to Stop Crochet From Getting Smaller (or Too Large)
How to Determine Your Stitch Tension
Method 1: Make a SwatchOne of the simplest ways to figure out your tension is by making a crochet swatch. How do you do that? Look at a yarn label. We have a typical yarn label below. When you are reading a yarn label, you will see a lot of important information, including the gauge
In the image above, find the box with the crochet
hook inside. It tells you that with this yarn (weight 6 super bulky
acrylic), in order to make a 4" x 4" square, you should use a L/11 (8mm)
crochet hook to make 8 rows, each with 7 single crochets.
Let's say you make a 4" x 4" square swatch. It's recommended that you do
this specifically for each type of yarn or hook but if you're
consistent, you can use an existing project to measure a 4" x 4" swatch.
What next? Now you count rows and stitches. Do you have 8 rows of 7
scs?
Yes: Then you have the correct tension for this yarn and hook. You are good to complete your project!
No, I have more stitches than the swatch required: This
means that you crochet too tightly. Try making another swatch with a
larger crochet hook and see if that measures correctly.
No, I have fewer stitches than the swatch required:
This means that you crochet too loosely. Try making another swatch with a
smaller crochet hook and see if that measures correctly.
Method 2: Use Your Pattern Specifications
It's always a good idea to pay close attention to your pattern.
The pattern should tell you whether gauge is important or not. If it is,
then it will have something similar to what you'd find on your yarn
label. For example, the Red Heart pattern for the All Frills Crochet Shawl states: 11 hdc = 4 (10 cm); 8 rows = 4 (10 cm) with A. CHECK YOUR GAUGE. Use any size hook to obtain gauge.
You can make a swatch or start the pattern and check before you've gone
too far. Obviously, you don't want to complete the crochet pattern only
to find that you have crocheted too tightly or too loosely. It's best to
find out before beginning or after 4 or 5 rows. Keep in mind that gauge
is not important for some patterns.
Method 3: Count Your Stitches and Rows
This is always good advice when crocheting. By keeping track of the
number of stitches and rows as you go allows you to make sure you are on
track. It's also convenient if you take breaks from your project. Learn
how to count crochet stitches here. Learn how to count rows here.
An easy way to keep track is by using stitch markers
and counters. Stitch markers are attached to each stitch (or a certain
number of stitches, whichever you prefer) and counters allow you to
record the number of rows (or stitches) as you go.
Crochet Tension Tips
Besides all the tips we've shared above, there are a few more things you can do to actually monitor your tension...
- Watch this video from our friend Mikey at The Crochet Crowd for How to Tell if You're a Tight or Loose Crocheter to learn more about your movements.
- Know your yarn and hook size before starting. This may mean making a
swatch or trying an easier project using the same yarn and hook before
jumping onto something more important.
- Consider the importance of the project and adjust as needed. If
this is a fun project that doesn't matter or you don't want to test
before starting, it may be best to go with a smaller project or less
expensive yarn. Nothing is worse than having to rip out your work
because the tension was too tight or loose.
- Pay attention while you crochet. If you know you aren't consistent
or if you are a beginner, it's important that you keep an eye on how
tightly you are holding the yarn, the piece you are working on, and your
hook. If it's an important project, don't start watching TV and stop
noticing issues. Learn more by watching this video, How to Determine Your Tension in Crochet.
- Use tools. There are tension tools available to help keep your yarn
flow consistent. Finger guides and tension regulators can be purchased
and worn while crocheting. Leslie from Crochet Bug has even created a crochet pattern for a DIY tension regulator!
- Practice, practice, practice. As with any craft, you get better the more you work at it. Plus, the more you crochet, you may notice that your tension changes. It's all about experience and understanding your own hands.
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