Loopy PandaWhy Is My Crochet Getting Wider or Narrower?
If your crochet gets wider, you are adding stitches; if it gets narrower, you are losing them. It almost always happens at the ends of rows: working into the turning chain when it does not count, working twice into the first stitch, or missing the last stitch. Count every row and mark the first and last stitch.
How to find and fix it
- Count the stitches in each rowCount the current row and compare it with the number you started with. Count a few rows lower too, so you can see where the count first changed. Each V along the top of a row is one stitch; the loop on your hook is not a stitch.
- Look at the edgesLay the piece flat. If only one side slants outward or inward, the problem is at that end of the row. If both sides slant, it happens at both ends.
- Decide whether the turning chain countsFollow your pattern. As a common rule in US patterns: in single crochet the ch 1 does not count, so work your first sc into the first stitch. In double crochet the ch 3 usually counts as the first dc, so skip the first stitch and work the last dc into the top of the turning chain. Half double crochet varies between patterns, so check the pattern notes.
- Mark the first and last stitchPut a stitch marker in the first and the last stitch of the row you just finished. On the next row, work into both marked stitches (or, if your turning chain counts, into the chain), then move the markers up.
- Frog back or correct graduallyFor a big difference, frog back to the last row with the right count. For a stitch or two in a blanket, you can instead decrease (or increase) once at the edge in the next rows until the count is right again; the edge will be slightly uneven there.
Wider or narrower: what is happening
| What you see | Most likely cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Wider on both sides | Working into the ch 1 in sc, or working the first stitch and also into the counted ch 3 in dc | Decide if the turning chain counts and do the same every row |
| Wider on one side | Two stitches worked into the first stitch at that end | Mark the first stitch and work into it once |
| Narrower on one side | Last stitch missed, often the top of the turning chain in dc | Mark the last stitch or the top of the turning chain |
| Narrower on both sides | First stitch skipped in sc, and last stitch missed | Mark both end stitches |
| Sides wavy but width stays the same | Turning chain too tight or too loose | See why crochet curls |
| Blanket curves like a banana | One edge shorter than the other | See why crochet curls |
Where the last stitch hides
The last stitch of a row is the easiest one to miss. In single crochet it sits right next to the turning chain of the row below and can look like part of the edge. In double crochet worked with a counted ch 3, the last stitch is the top chain of that ch 3 from the row below, which lies sideways and is easy to overlook. Tilt the work a little towards you to see it, and keep a marker there until you are sure.
Crocheting in rounds
In rounds the same rule applies: a round that should have a set number of stitches must have that number. Circles that ruffle have too many stitches for the round and circles that cup have too few; see how to crochet a flat circle. If the join line of joined rounds drifts to one side, that is a different, normal effect; see why amigurumi leans.
Frequently asked questions
Why is my crochet getting wider?
You are adding stitches, usually at the start of the row: working into the turning chain when it does not count, or working twice into the first stitch. Count each row and mark the first stitch.
Why is my crochet getting narrower?
You are missing stitches, most often the last one of the row. In double crochet it is usually the top of the turning chain. Mark the last stitch of every row.
Does the turning chain count as a stitch?
In most US patterns, the ch 1 in single crochet does not count and the ch 3 in double crochet does. Half double crochet varies. Your pattern's notes decide; whatever the rule, do the same on every row.
How do I fix a blanket that is already wider at the top?
If it is only a few stitches, decrease once at the edges over the next rows until the count is right, and add a border to hide the step. If it is many stitches, frog back to where the count was right.
Why is my granny square not square?
That is usually a corner or side-space problem, not the row-end problem on this page. See granny square problems.
Save it for later
Pin this guide to your Pinterest board so it's there when you pick up your hook.
Save to Pinterest
Tell me when new free patterns are out
We'll send you a short email when a new free pattern or tutorial goes up. No spam.
Thank you! You're on the list. We'll email you when a new free pattern is out.
Please enter a valid email address.
Please tick the box to agree to receive our emails.
Too many tries. Please wait a few minutes and try again.
Something went wrong. Please try again later.
New short videos every week, too, on YouTube