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How to Keep Straight Edges in Crochet

ByAshlea

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Keeping straight edges in crochet is easier than you think. There are different methods to achieving nice and uniform edges, and it all depends on one little chain. Seriously.

 

How to Keep Straight Edges in Crochet

There are two generally followed methods of starting a new row in crochet, and which method you choose dictates how evenly (or unevenly) your edges will come out. Yes, it really is that simple and it’s all about the turning chain.

Depending on which pattern you’re following (and all crochet pattern designers are different) you will either count the turning chain as a stitch or you will not count the turning chain as a stitch. Which way is the correct way? Meh, it’s up to you . When I polled nearly 30,000 crocheters in my crochet group on Facebook, the results were quite interesting.

I personally do not ever count mine as a stitch, and none of my crochet patterns are written to count them. Even if I am crocheting a pattern from another designer, and it calls for the turning chain to be counted, I typically make a slight alteration and crochet in the way that I feel it looks best.

I do what I want. 😉

Stitch count keeps sides straight in crochet

The most important thing for keeping straight edges in crochet is to count your stitches. I know what you’re thinking… “Ain’t nobody got time for counting!” and trust me – I AGREE! But even the most confident of crocheters can still miss a stitch.

An experienced crocheter can miss a stitch, especially if the item is super wide/long, if they are watching (let’s be honest: listening to) TV, if their kids are in the same room, or if the dog wants to go outside… or come inside… if the wind is blowing from the east… anything really. So yes, counting those crochet stitches can make all the difference in the world.

I must also confess that I don’t count my stitches after every single row, *gasp* but every so often I will stop and make sure that I am still on track. That way if I do have to frog (rip it, rip it out), it is only a few rows instead of the entire. stinkin. thing.

Do not count the turning chain

Counting (or not counting) the turning chain in crochet is all personal preference. I have found, however, that when I do not count the turning chain as a stitch, my edges are not as “holey” and my edge stitches stay much more uniform and orderly.

How to Avoid Gaps when Crocheting Edges

In short, my crocheted edges are straighter when I do not count the chain as a stitch. Instead, when you make your first stitch in each new row go into the very first stitch since the chain is not counted. When you get to the end, go into the last completely formed stitch. That’s it!

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Crocheting Straight Edges without Gaps

Instead of doing a chain-3 for this double crochet and counting it as a chain, chain two instead and start in that very first stitch.

How to Eliminate Gaps in Crochet

How many chains to start a new row in crochet?

How many you chain to start a new row in crochet depends on the height of the stitch you’re using. If you are not counting the turning chain as a stitch, you will:

Chain 1 to start a single crochet row
Chain 1 to start a half double crochet row
Chain 2 to start a double crochet row
Chain 3 to start a treble crochet row
Chain 4 to start a quadruple crochet row
and so on…

Need a great pattern to fine-tune your straight edge crochet skills? I highly recommend making a set of 4 – 6 of this washcloth pattern. If the sides aren’t exactly straight it won’t matter, and in the end you’ll have new and awesome dishcloths to use! 😉

If you need help reading a crochet pattern, make sure you head over here and check out this detailed post.

Keeping straight edges in crochet really is as simple as this one little trick. If a pattern is not written in this manner you do not have to change it. If you wish to, however, many times it is as simple as recognizing the chain-3 for a double crochet stitch as opposed to a chain-2. Not sure how to modify it? There are thousands of crocheters in the Heart Hook Home Crochet Community available to help!

Tips for Keeping Straight Edges in Crochet

More crochet tips and tutorials:

Understanding Crochet Gauge and How to Measure It
How to Add a Border in Crochet
How to Create Planned Yarn Color Transitions in Crochet
Crochet WIP Bag (Work In Progress) Using Corner to Corner
Different Methods of Making Pom Poms
How to Crochet the Moss Stitch (Written and Video Tutorial)

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129 Comments

  1. This was a great tip. I've been crocheting for about 60 years and my edges have always been a hit and a miss. Can't wait to try this.
    Reply
  2. I had started doing this myself. I make baby sweaters. When joining seams or adding a border into a chain 3 left a weak spot. So I started the chain and doing the stitch in the first stitch of the turn, like you suggest. Nice to get conformation that others are doing it as well.
    Reply
  3. This is great instructions, I am 77 and still crochet every day keeps me busy and is relaxing, make all kinds of itims for grown kids and grandkids.i make from toys,ponchos,afgans,gloves,booties for chairs legs and many more itims.
    Reply
  4. I have been crocheting for a few years now (self taught) and this topic has confused me a few times. I am so impressed at how well written and explained this post is. Thank you for making so much sense to me. More confidence gained. Sarah | Adventure Accessories
    Reply
  5. I understand your directions for the beginning of the row but what do you do at the end of the row? Do you crochet into that turning chain from the row before or skip it? I am crocheting a blanket now with 3 chains at the beginning of each dc row and it is coming out kind of holey because I am skipping that first stitch. I will now only do 2 chains and crochet into the first stitch but my question is at the end of the row. Thanks for your help.
    Reply
  6. I never comment on blogs (who has that much time?!) But, in all of my 40 years of crocheting, have I ever read a better tip!! I am such a rule-follower (haha), so by golly, I do what the patterns says! But "tweaking" the technique or pattern has made a HUGE difference in how my finished pieces look now!! Thank you also for the wonderfully clear photos and explanations - much appreciated!!
    Reply
  8. Hi, I've been working on a project that needs to be 17 inches wide, but it's 17 in wide on the row I'm currently working on and 20 in wide where I started. When I turn on a hdc row, the corner is really sharp. Maybe it's because I use 2 sc to turn? Would you happen to have any advice to fix this? Or can blocking make the bottom of my piece shorter?
    Reply
  9. I nave just completed a lap sized blanket. I kept my edges straight by reducing the turning chain by one and when I got to the end of the row I put my final stitch through the previous rows turn chain instead of the stitch. I was amazed at the difference.
    Reply
  10. One thing I do to minimize the gaps is to make the initial chain before turning the work. Doing this the chain gets turnet clockwise and the bumps from the wrong side mimicks the actual stitch.
    Reply
  11. Thank so much for the advise. I did a blanket for my son and daughter-in-law and sorry to say when I went to fold it to put in a box the whole thing was a tea total mess. It was shorter on both sides so I ripped out until I got to the right place. Another sorry thing was that I couldn't find the pattern and it was a different stitch instead of just a simple single crochet. Well as luck had it, my youngest sister had the pattern. I think I now have four directions in different places so I can't loose it again. Thanks for the directions on an even edge, it has been a problem for me. I signed up for your news letter and I'm sure I'll be a better edger.
    Reply
  12. Thanks for this tip! I'll do that from now on. Another thing that messes up my edges is not knowing where to put my hook for the last stitch. I'm making a baby blanket thar is made of moss stitch. My end stitch is always tight & I can't find where to put my hook. Can you help?
    Reply
    1. Ahh with the moss stitch that happens to me too. Are you chaining 2 at the beginning of the moss stitch rows or just one? Also, I have to consciously think about being just a tad looser on that first chain. Hope that helps!
      Reply
  13. Question: I have crocheted a large throw. Self taught. Took on a large project. Each row a different colour and tried to mix up the stitches. It's a lovely blanket but the sides are horrendously uneven. I cut chunks off where very bad and rejoined. It's still as wavy as a stormy sea. How can I hide it with crochet? Any help much appreciated. Kind regards, Su. evans.elmcottage@gmail.com
    Reply
    1. Are all of the yarn weights different? If so, you'll have a hard time keeping the edges straight, but a border will help clean then up!
      Reply
  14. Oh my god! Why didn't someone tell me this two years ago when I first started crocheting! Heck, why didn't I just google it like I did today!!!! now my work will look sooo much neater Thank you thank you
    Reply
  15. I've been using this same technique for years...for the very reasons you stated. When 'teaching' people to crochet, I like to stress the fact that they are IN CHARGE and can proceed in a way that is pleasing to them...just be consistant. Thanks so much for validating and expressing my thoughts so well!
    Reply
  16. I have just unpicked half a cot blanket which is a weeks work. I am virtually self taught. My granddaughter having first baby and asked me to knit blanket for. Got measurements on Google. Neber thought of counting stitches or keeping sides straight. Will do so from now and see if l can remedy my mistakes. Also concert on sides. Thanks so much for your tips. Really appreciate it
    Reply
  17. This has always been a problem for me. Your solution makes sense & will be so easy to use. Thank you so much for sharing!
    Reply
  18. This is a BIG problem i have! I hope that i can follow your tips well... I tried to make a yarn bag, and the sides were crazy --- ugh --- I did practice your tips :) and had a good result Thank you Girlly!
    Reply
  21. THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!! When I was little my mom would turn for me. When I reached my 20s I took a class to learn what I missed and was told "whatever works for you", but I didn't have a clue. Now, at 42, I can finally feel good about my edges and move on to more complicated things :) > Squeeze <
    Reply
    2. I prefer to do a slip stitch into the first stitch then do the chain and count it as the first post. That works well in any double or triple. If it is a just a single crochet then chaining one and doing the first single crochet in the second stitch works perfect...just don't forget when you get back there to single crochet in that chain.
      Reply
  22. Well I am going to give this a try. I am pretty new to crochet but this makes more sense then skipping the first stitch and counting the turning chain. I abhor counting. DOES anyone have a good rule of thumb how often I need to keep count especially on large projects.
    Reply
    1. It depends on the yarn/gauge for me. If I can clearly see the stitches all the way across the row I don't generally count. If it's super long I usually count every 5 rows or so. Hope that helps!
      Reply
  23. Great tip! I honestly have been ready to quit so many crochetprojects because of this. After some years of playing around I got to learn a bit more, I just did this to. It makes edges look so much more even, cause you don' need to count every f..... stitch in every row. Hate to count...but sometimes you have to,like you say. Thank you for reminding me of this trick
    Reply
    1. Hi Judy! I always start with a single crochet row on an existing blanket. It helps to make a more even border when you go back through with the pretty stitch. This might help! http://hearthookhome.com/how-to-add-a-border-in-crochet/
      Reply
  25. I didn't count the turning chain with the sc but I didn't with the others. I'm going to try this. But I have a question. Does this method gives you trouble when you want to crochet a border? Is this possible?
    Reply
  26. Liked your information and hope I can do this when I use it. I'm going to try to keep this site but my luck in doing this is not good. Thank you so very much.
    Reply
    1. I use these pretty set of stitch markers. They clip on and off easily and are super light. I have 6 of them so I just leave them on my work until I need one and I take one off from a previous row and move it to the next one. Works great for me. https://www.etsy.com/listing/482247370/stitch-markers-crocheting-and-knitting
      Reply
  28. Ah! This is something that has always confounded me! I can never make straight edges and then by the seventh row the whole lot looks terrible. Been wanting to crochet a scarf for ages, but have always had to pull it out and give up. Thanks so much for this article. I enjoyed reading it.
    Reply
  29. On a double crochet row, I start with a sc and 1 chain. This seems to be a lot easier and of course I count that as the 1st stitch. Recently, I have ended dc row with hdc.
    Reply
  30. I don't have time to do anything right now. I have a big project in fall..A chunky yarn Afghan. But I will practice before hand. Thanks for the great TIP! Mary
    Reply
  32. I tried this and was absolutely delighted that it worked so well. 1 chain made the difference. Thanks again. one
    Reply
    1. I tried this and was absolutely delighted that it worked so well. 1 chain made the difference. Thanks again. Makeda oneLove
      Reply
  35. Thank You Soo Much! I wish I had known this tip before I crocheted a harry potter scarf for my sister for christmas. I cannot wait to try your way! Thank YOU SOO MUCH!
    Reply
  40. I am a beginner and was wondering how to keep the edges straight. Thank you very much for your valuable information in this fantastic article. I hope to be able to share some great tips at some point as well. oneLove!
    Reply
  41. Well my my! You made my day. I've all but given up on even pot holders, because my rows are uneven and not pretty. It's so simple and it not me! Thanks from the bottom of my heart! Keep sharing! You never know, what a simple technique can make a major difference in someone else's craft!
    Reply
  42. You are awesome! Thanks for the tip… I'm starting something new tonight so I am going to give this a try!
    Reply
  44. Thanks a lot for that tip. I have been crocheting for at least 50 years, always wonder how to keep the edge straight. I have tried every thing. So I will be trying this tip. Thanks a bunch!
    Reply
  48. I found that when patterns say to 'ch2', I only do a ch1 and it doesn't leave a larger end hole or a little ripple on the edge. Everything I make ends up with straight edges.
    Reply
    1. Hi Rae Ann! I couldn't believe how common counting the turning chain was until I started my crochet group. Amazing! Thanks for stopping by!
      Reply