I used a larger hook for the foundation chain, moving up from 4mm to 6mm. The first few rows went all well and good but as I added more and more rows, the work started to want to arc like a rainbow. It wasn't too noticeable and it was easy to pull it in to shape. I thought that once finished, putting a border on would probably sort it out, but I knew it wasn't right so I started again.
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This time I used an 8mm hook for the foundation chain and it seems to have sorted the problem out. I've never had any problem like this with my ripple blankets and I've crocheted the foundation chain in the same way so I'm not sure why it happened this time.
I'm enjoying putting the colours together and seeing how they work out. There's seventeen shades to choose from so there's plenty of choice.
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I'm hoping that this time, it really will be plain sailing with no further hiccups.
Loving your colours so far!
ReplyDeleteIt's fun watching how each colour works with another, then it looks different again as each colour builds up.
DeleteMy second blanket was a bit wobbly but once the border was in it was less noticeable. Your colours are lovely, can't wait to see your progress
ReplyDeleteI thought the border would probably sort it out but didn't want to take the risk. At least it's all sorted now.
DeleteDo you know the same thing has just happened to me. I'm about 20 rows into a granny stripe blanket and it has a slight arc to it. I've decided to carry on regardless! The blanket is for Mr C who won't notice anyway :-)
ReplyDeleteI'm sure it will be ok when the border is on. It's annoying though when you've got so far before you notice it.
DeleteI love the colours Jo. I have to admit that I usually ask my friend Christine to do my foundation chain (I am way too tight in the chain, no matter how hard I try to be looser). I must do the next one myself but think I will go up a few sizes to make it ok. Are you following a pattern for this blanket?
ReplyDeleteA larger hook usually solves the problem but I obviously need to use a much larger one to make it right. I'm using Attic24's Granny Stripe blanket pattern.
DeleteWhat stitch are you doing I really like the look of it.
ReplyDeleteThey're trebles, or US doubles, three together to make a cluster. You can find the pattern on Attic24 blog, it's the Granny Stripe blanket.
DeleteThe rows look so neat and I can understand how important it is to get the foundation chain the right tension. I've got so frustrated when trying to teach myself the basics I'm afraid I've given up making anything. I think I need some new yarn like you're using. I like the colour combination and look forward to seeing your progress.
ReplyDeleteI don't think Stylecraft Special DK can be beaten for acrylic yarn, it's so soft and doesn't have that squeaky feel which many acrylic yarns do and it's very reasonably priced too. Don't give up, I found You Tube tutorials invaluable when I was learning to crochet.
DeleteI agree with you about the foundation row, always a struggle, such a shame you had to start again, but I'm sure it would have bugged you if you hadn't. Loving the colours xcx
ReplyDeleteIt would have definitely bugged me if I'd left it as it was. My crochet may not be perfect but I do like to correct what I know is wrong.
DeleteHow frustrating - hopefully things will go well now. Beautiful colour combination so far.
ReplyDeleteI'm hoping that there's no more mistakes now. I'm pleased with the colours so far, I suppose there's so many different combinations with so many different colours available to use.
DeleteYou are braver than me, I usually crochet a huge granny square rather than go along and back as I tend to get rather a raggedy edge!
ReplyDeleteDon't say that, that might be my next dilemma, I hadn't thought of that and it isn't large enought yet to see if it might be a problem. I'll let you know.
DeleteIt's very easy to add and extra shell at either end and not notice. Sometimes you think - oh I should do one more when actually it's not needed. Very frustrating when that happens. When I do a foundation row I always count out loud and I always make the loops bigger than the hook.
ReplyDeletexx
I hadn't added any stitches, I think it was just a case of the foundation row being a little tight, even though I used a larger size hook to begin with. Obviously the hook wasn't large enough so I went up another couple of millimetres which seems to have solved the problem.
DeleteIt's looking great Jo and I was only looking at a couple of crochet rug patterns last night. I've found two easy ones and I'd love to show them to you as I think you'd like them too. I also hate that foundation chain row and stuffed hubby's and had a stupid bit on one side. I'd counted it about three times, thought I had the right number and just went ahead with it anyway. Looked OK in the end. Looking forward to seeing it grow. Take care.
ReplyDeleteThere's some really wonderful patterns out there, if only we had more time in the day to have a go at them all. I think crochet is quite forgiving, even if you make a mistake, it's usually easy to cover it up.
DeleteSo unfair for you Jo. I have never heard of that happening before. Very odd. Glad that you have it sorted now. The colours are looking great together! xx
ReplyDeleteI think it's quite a common problem but easily solved by using a larger size hook for the foundation row. I seem to have sorted it out now so I hope I don't encounter any more problems along the way.
DeleteHow annoying, Jo, especially after you saying that the foundation row was the worst bit. Hopefully it'll behave itself now! Love the colours. :o)
ReplyDeleteI should have known really after saying that I hate the foundation row. I'm hoping my problems are over now though. The colours are working well together so far.
DeleteI'm sure it's going to look gorgeous now. Its a good thing that you knew what to do when it started to look a little out of shape. Jx
ReplyDeleteIt wasn't arcing too badly so I think I could have fudged it and it would have been ok with a border on but I didn't want to chance it. I think I made the right choice starting again, I doubt I'd have been happy with it otherwise.
DeleteI had never considered doing my foundation chain with a larger hook. I don't normally have a problem with tension as I crochet fairly loosely, but I may try that the next time I start a blanket. I love the colors. I can't wait to see it finished.
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Sharon
I think my tension must be quite tight, well, tighter than I thought anyway. I usually take my time with large projects like this so I think it may be some time before it's finished.
DeleteOh goodness that was a bit annoying! I wonder why it happened. Love the reddy colour at the start and then the tones of blue. The yellow is a good pop of colour on top.
ReplyDeleteLisa x
I think my tension must have been too tight on the foundation row, even though I used a larger hook than normal. Putting one colour next to another can give it a totally different look, it's fun choosing which to use.
DeleteI am not a big fan of foundation rows either. Your beginning looks very neat indeed and I'll try to remember the large hook size trick next time I am making one.
ReplyDeleteI think foundation rows are ok if your tension is loose, it only becomes a problem if you work quite tight which I suppose I must do. Using a larger size hook for the foundation row is a good trick to ensure it's loose enough.
DeleteThey're lovely colours, it's going to be a very good-looking blanket when you've finished! xx
ReplyDeleteI can't claim credit for the colours as they were bought in an Attic24 inspired pack, but it's fun choosing which colour to use next and seeing how they all work together.
DeleteYou can do so much better than the rest of us...especially me. The colors are lovely. :)
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure about that, but I'm happy with how far I've come since I learnt to crochet.
DeleteI always have to use a bigger hook for the foundation, and sometimes the first row too. I think you're going to be fine now, it sounds like you figured it out. The colors look really pretty. I've had a couple of Lucy packs too and it's nice to have the colors matched for you.
ReplyDeleteUsing a larger hook is a good trick if the tension is tight, I'm hoping that I've sorted it out now. There's so many colours in the pack that using them in a different way can make a blanket look so different even though the same colours have been used. It's fun seeing how they look as they're put together.
DeleteI was too lazy to get a bigger hook, so you should hav eseen me on Saturday making the chain and muttering "loose... lo-o-ose.... LOOSE!!!!" all the way through. Apart from the fact they know me, the kids must have thought I was crackers!!
ReplyDeleteIt's so easy to slip back in to your normal tension. I'd have done the same thing if I didn't have a larger hook.
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