How to Maintain Even Edges & Rows in Crochet
The key to maintaining even edges and rows in crochet is to count your stitches as you work. When you count stitches, you ensure that you have the same number in each row and thus, an even fabric. If you accidentally add extra stitches to a row, the edge will start to slant outward. If you accidentally skip stitches, the edge will slant inward. With either situation, you risk the fabric puckering where it shouldn't.
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Things You'll Need
- Worsted weight yarn
- Size H crochet hook
- Crochet pattern for project with even edges (optional)
- Paper and pencil (optional)
- Stitch markers (optional)
Instructions
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Start your crochet project according to your pattern instructions or begin by making a string of chain stitches.
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Count the number of chains by laying the chain flat. Notice that each chain has an upper and lower horizontal bar that forms the stitch. Focus on either the top bar or the bottom one and count each bar across the line of chains.
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Insert your hook into the chain your pattern specifies to begin the first row of your project or into the second chain from the hook to begin a row of single crochet stitches.
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Make sure you insert the hook between the top and bottom bars of each chain stitch so that you create one new stitch in every chain stitch across the row.
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Examine the new row of stitches as you make them. All crochet stitches have two parallel, horizontal bars at the top of each one, similar to what you saw with the beginning chain.
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Count each set of these horizontal bars across your row to get the stitch count for that row. Make a note of it on paper if you think you will forget the number. If the pattern instructed you to begin in the second chain from the hook, your first row will have one less stitch than your starting chain had.
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Work the next row in your pattern and count the stitches when you reach the end of the row or continue to make single crochet stitches across each row and count the stitches at the end of the row. Make sure the number of stitches matches the number from the previous row if you are trying to maintain even edges.
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Continue working the same number of stitches in each row from this point on and you will have even edges.
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Tips & Warnings
Place a stitch marker every 20 or 25 stitches when working on a crochet project, such as an afghan, that has more than 50 stitches in a row to help you keep count. If you don't own any commercial stitch markers, paperclips or bobby pins work just as well. Most modern patterns include a stitch count in parentheses at the end of each line in the instructions. Pay attention to these numbers to make sure your stitch count matches what the pattern says you should have.
Do not count the loop that remains on the hook as you work as a stitch or the turning chain at the end of a row. While adding an extra stitch or skipping a stitch once or twice, particularly in the middle of a long row, will probably not become noticeable along the edge in the long run, it may interfere with pattern changes later on that require a specific number of stitches in the row before proceeding. Patterns are not perfect and may have errors. If your stitch count doesn't match the pattern and you can't find an error in your work, check the website for the pattern publisher. They often post corrections either in a specific pattern corrections area or under Customer Service tabs.
References
Resources
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