tension

[jenzire]

:th I am having a heck of a time with the tension of my filet crochet. I am working on a curtain for my kitchen window. The pattern gauge calls for 10x10 meshes= 2.25"x2.25" . I can get the right gauge across but I can't seem to get my rows tall enough. The problem is that I tend to work tight and switching to a larger hook is not helping. A bigger hook is just making my chains bigger but I can't seem to make a taller dc. I have tried to draw up a larger loop but then my work seems to get messy. I don't seem to have this problem when I work with yarn, it's just when I use thread. My filet squares are more like a rectangle than a square. Does anyone have any suggestions? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.:bounce

[Julie]

What about doing trebles instead of the dcs? Not my favorite stitch either, though after a while it's just as routine as anything else. That would keep the width the same but they'd be a bit taller.

[jenzire]

trebles are too long. A long time ago I ran across a pattern that called for a long dc but I can't remember exactly how to do it. I think that when you draw up a loop, instead of working off 2 loops, you work only one first and then you work the rest 2 at a time as usual. Can anyone tell me if I'm on the right track or not?

[xantha]

you could try an extended double (edc) --

YO once, insert hook in st or sp indicated, YO and draw through, YO and draw through one loop (3 loops on hook), (YO and draw through 2 loops) twice.

You basically draw through loops three times instead of two, which gives you the height of one extra loop (different than tr because you don't adjust the initial yo count).

I have no idea if that makes any sense, but I can't find any other links to a description online! <img border=0 src="http://img28.photobucket.com/albums/v84/crochetville/irked.gif" />

G'luck!

[jenzire]

:sun That is the stitch I was thinking of . I just worked up a sample swatch and my squares look alot better. My edges are more even, too. Thank you so much. I've been struggling with the tension of my dc's for a long time. Every other stitch seems to come out right. It's just that one that causes me so much stress. Anyways, thanks again for your help!!

[xantha]

I'm so glad it is working for you! <img border=0 src="http://img28.photobucket.com/albums/v84/crochetville/clap.gif" />

[jingles96]

That's a good tip! I'll keep it in mind.

I learn so much from this board. :)