Expert: Ed Matos - 2/10/2008

Question
QUESTION: Hi, I am working on a baby blanket. My top edge seems SO wavy and weird, but as I crochet more rows, it seems to straighten out and only the top edge seems wavy and weird. Am I doing something wrong? I don't want to complete the whole blanket, add and edge and it look horrible. And is there such a thing as having too much drape? I made a bath cloth and when it got wet, it was all bent out of shape. How do I keep my projects square? Thanks in advance,
geNNy:0)

ANSWER: Genny:

From what you are describing, it seems to be a tension issue. it seem to be more loose on the top of the stitch that the bottom. so it looks more like a fan, tight at bottom and flared at top.

On the bath cloth, what material did you use? if it was synthetic, it should have been fine, if it was a natural material, because of the tension, it would have got distorted.

for items that will get regular use and frequent washing, I use cotton thread, Sugar n cream

Hope this helps, anything else, please let me know, I be more than happy to help.

Happy hooking

Ed


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thank you for the prompt answer. How do I know if the tension is wrong as the bath cloth appeared to be even all around when I was finished with it? Is there a way to measure it or test it or something before using it? Thanks again for all of your help :)

Answer
Sorry for the delay in answering, I did not realize you had asked me a question.

When making a piece that is for use, specially one that will be in contact with water, is best, in my opinion, to work a tighter stitch - this gets accomplished with a smaller hook. Also the material used will make a great difference. If the piece is not even tension, then when wet, it will shrink, and all those un-evenness will be apparent. I have made bath cloth, and I use a small hook, e or even f, and only use cotton.

Tension is not only how many stitches is per inch, but more how the thread is feed into the piece, if you know how to sew, its like the sewing tension, so the stitches are evenly sewed.

I do hope this makes sense.

Thanks and have a great day.

Happy hooking

Ed