Keeping things square (crocheting)

**beautifullyhaunted** · 08-29-2007, 12:05 PM

So, when you're making things whatever it may be, how do you keep things square? I'm a beginner, and I can't seem to make things square.

I want to make my DB a blanket, and one for a friend as a thank you, and I want them to look great, so they kinda need to be square (or rectangular) any suggestions?

Thanks

**baxjul** · 08-29-2007, 01:16 PM

Um, what pattern are you following. Make sure not to increase or decrease on the ends, or otherwise it will come out oddly shaped.

**miss_thrifty** · 08-29-2007, 04:12 PM

also dont keep the yarn too tight ,jsut enough slack, i find that helps. I dont know how many times when i started to beg. crochet i ripped and reripped more then once lol
Its gets frustrating but it all takes times and well worth it.

**pita1213** · 08-30-2007, 07:56 AM

make sure you aren't missing the last stitch at the end. if you are doing double crochet, remember you skip the first stitch at the beginning of the new row.
usually things look raggedy along the edges because stitches are skipped at the end, or with dc you forget to skip that first st of the new row.

**Jaded** · 08-30-2007, 01:08 PM

I used to use stitch counters...put them in every so many stitches...to make sure I wasn't missing a stitch. It forces you to count, and also keeps you from sometimes having to rip out a whole row. Takes a little time to move them up every row, but on big things like afghans, it's a necessity for me.

**Lady_V** · 09-12-2007, 08:02 AM

I usually lay it out every few rows to make sure it really is even. I tend to do my yarn works while watching tv and zone out until I get to the last few stitches of the row. Make sure you remember to add the 'flip stitch' otherwise it will start to decrease and you end up with a blanket that looks like candy corn.

And... as a 'cover my rump' if it is for a gift I usually add a trim or tassels or something to take the eyes away from the one extra stitch that I may have added on row 73

**Katybird** · 09-12-2007, 10:15 AM

Always make sure your tension is consistant. That is where I usually get out of square, my tension gets off, especially when I change colors or to a new skein.