I'm trying to crochet a scarf and need some advice

[2banon]

Question: If I'm doing a row of double crochet stitches, do I turn with a chain two, or a chain 3? There are a number of great youtube vids for tutorials but I've found very few dealing with this question, and the two that I did find, did not agree on this question. One said chain 2 and the other said chain 3..

Crochet is wonderful because it's so forgiving in terms of perfection issues, which I typically struggle with all the time. I have crocheted scarves way in the distant past and took up making myself a scarf last winter which I'm fairly satisfied with in terms of the choice of wool, thickness, colors, stitch and overall looks as well as comfort.

However it is flawed with edgings waving in and out a bit, so I figured I'd camoflag this problem by doing a single crochet border all the way around. I want to make scarves for friends and family for xmas presents and I'd like to have a nicer finish than the one I made for myself last year.

Anyone?

[KarenS]

1. I just did some research too,,,

I'm working on an afghan. From what I see, it's up for grabs,,,, 2 or 3. I'll be trying it both ways when I get to my first turn on the double crochet stitches to see what fits best for me and my tension and my yarn.

It's not a science, is it??


Good luck with your project.

[Tansy_Gold]

2. Great minds think alike!

It may not be orthodox, but I do the same thing: Try it both ways (or more, if needed!) with a small sample to find out which makes a better fit. Your individual hand, how tightly you crochet each stitch, will affect the length you need on that turning stitch. Also, what I've found, is that my tension of the yarn can increase or decrease between the chain stitches at the beginning of a row and the double or treble stitches of the pattern, if that makes sense.

The same will sometimes be true of the number of chain sts needed to turn a corner. It all depends on the weight of the yarn, the pattern, etc.

[2banon]

3. this makes a lot of sense, thanks..

I noticed recently that if I crochet propped up in bed using one pillow to rest my arm and another cusion to hold my work (like a table top only more comfortable) that my stitches seem to be more uniform, I'm thinking the tension of the yarn involved with my stitches has to with the tension within me, (actually vice versa) the more physically comfortable and relaxed I am the better my work. and yes, the different yarns, and needle sizes make a huge difference.

On the scarf, I'm thinking about making the width only 15 chains wide, as opposed to the 20-25 chains wide that seem to be generally recommended and experiment with the chain 2 for double crochet stiches, chain 3 if I want to try a different patterned row. hmm.. we'll see how that works out.

Thanks for your input!!!

[2banon]

4. thanks, the same to you.. maybe we should upload pics of our completed projects and share ideas?

just an idea..

[StarsInHerHair]

5. it depends on your own personal tension

maybe you crochet a bit tight so ch3 would equal the length of a double crochet-or maybe you hold the yarn looser & a ch2 fits. Test it out & see.

[KarenS]

6. ok,,,, tis 3 for me on this project.

2 just wasn't quite tall enough.

pictures would be nice,,,, this may take awhile tho

[HopeHoops]

7. I'll ask my youngest daughter when she gets home from school. She chrohets like a machine.

[ccinamon]

8. It depends.....

on many factors: what you are making, the thread thickiness, size of hook, and how tight you crochet....

overall, I've found 3 works pretty good....tho if you are wanting to crochet strips or squares together, the chain 3 leaves a larger "hole" than a chain 2

[SheilaT]

9. I have always understood the turning chain

to be three when the next stitch will be a double crochet. Essentially, what you're creating is a fake stitch with the chains. It takes three chains to equal a double crochet. 2 would equal a half-double. Use one if the next row is going to be single crochets.

And yes, a border is very useful to disguise an irregularities in the edges. Goodness knows, I should do borders and edgings far more often than I do.

[EFerrari]

10. This is the right answer. Your turning chain only depends upon

what the next row is. Two for single crochet, three for double. You are just simulating the first stitch of the next row.