What's wrong here?

[Sabra]

My husband is trying to learn to crochet. I'm attempting to help, but he's right handed, & I'm pretty inept in using my off hand.

He's got chain OK, I think. He's got a bad habit of trying to make things purposely tiny (and I say this as someone who has pretty tight tension herself), but he's learning not to do that.

Well, next thing after chain stitch is single crochet into the chain. And this is where we're running into trouble. I know he's doing something wrong because of how it's turning out, but I'm not sure what is wrong. Here's a photo (& I apologize in advance for the iffy quality; using the flash washed out the photo completely):

http://67.18.219.83/image_hosting/web_pages/Sabra/rob_sc.JPG

He's only working into one top loop of the chain instead of two like I do, but that's easier for him & he can pretty things up after he gets the general idea down. The way you see this, this is how it is. I didn't wrinkle it up or anything. It's curving some and doing that funky wave thing you see there.

Any ideas on what the problem is? I'm thinking maybe inconsistent tension?

(ETA: I've sent him over to StitchGuide.com already; I'll try to get him back to that tomorrow.)

[Lowrancer]

looks like he double punched the turn stitch and is trying to overcompensate on the tension there are also 2 other double punches heping to create the "wave"..... since he has the basic chain try this....

get him some ecru or white #10 thread and a # 1 steel hook (With a boyle needle cushion extended 1/2 to 3/4 of an inch past the butt end of the hook for comfort)

then instead of teaching him basic rows try teaching him granny squares this will help with tension, joining, and increasing dont have him finish off the square just keep doing it..............this should help more than the basics only because it will give him the chance to work the mechanics of the stitches (and may give you a huge granny square end table cover.

hope this helps,
Robert

[diamond]

I'm assuming Lowrancer means putting 2 stitches into the same ch st when she refers to 'double punching/punched/punches'? Which is what I see is happening. He's putting 2 single stitches into one chain stitch which in essence is how you do a ripple stitch. Make sure he counts his stitches.

[pcaliguire]

I agree with what Robert said; I can see the "double-punches" also.

It's difficult to tell what size yarn he is using, but it looks rather fluffy. You might encourage him to try a yarn like Red Heart Supersaver, which doesn't split easily, and use a larger than normal hook with that yarn, such as a size "L." This combination makes it easier to see where one is going with working into the chain and helps to avoid the double punches. My husband is also currently learning to crochet and was also double-punching; the combination recommended above seemed to help him a lot.

Best wishes to your husband on his continued efforts!

Patricia

[thecrochetdude]

I'm assuming Lowrancer means putting 2 stitches into the same ch st when she refers to...

I think Lowrancer is a dude. I'm just saying. :blush

[diamond]

:blush My mistake! Sorry, Robert. It's so hard to get used to seeing males here other than Drew (whom we all love dearly). I meant no offense. :blush

[Lowrancer]

LOL no worries I'm used to it by now considering I am in the less than 2 pct minority of "men who do needle work" .... wink no worries though.... I may not know all the proper terms but I will do my best to explain what I mean ... wink.....also look like he was using a red heart supersaver acrylic worsted wieght yarn which is a pain for men to learn more than chains sice the yarn doesn't glide as well as merc. cotton... if he is still having tension probs and snags take some beeswax and liberaly rub it on the needle, let it sit for 5 minutes then polish it off to a high shine.... this will help make the yarn glide on the needle ( I even do this with all my needles to keep them in good shape and usualy only have to repolish heavily used needles once a month.)

:tup

[Sabra]

OK, thanks for the suggestions. I'm trying to correct him without nagging. ;) Was working on the counting his stitches issue tonight.

The yarn is Caron Simply Soft, but he's trying to work into it with an F hook instead of the H (at the smallest) I've been trying to get him to use. This is a guy whose normal pastime is making chainmail; he is used to tiny little detail work and doesn't quite grasp the concept of how it's not supposed to be that small. He's also, apparently, been going along tugging on the yarn to get it as tight as possible...

[MarvieN]

That's just awesome that your hubby is learning the craft =) Looks like he's got a good start on a ripple 'ghan ;)

I can understand why he tends to want to work small since he's used to such fine detail, maybe try him with thread crochet instead of yarn? Might be easier for him. Since he's so used to small stuff, it might just be easier for him to see where to stick his hook and eliminate the double stitches problem. Thread being much less puffy than yarn.

I used to do that yanking of the yarn thing too, I only did it with sc though for some reason. I eventually learned that it caused my hands to get tired quickly lol so I stopped.

Tell him he's doing a pretty darned great job for a beginner and to keep up the good work =)