crochet keeps going circular!

[pod3030]

hi, just learning to crochet. i am just doing basic stripes and doing and 'turning' stitch at the ends, but my work is still curving in on itself, with the top rows shortening and tighter than the first row. it always ends up looking like a frilly crocheted skirt! what am i doing wrong? trying to make a stripy blanket and cushion cover. am left handed if that makes a difference.

Are you crocheting into the top of the turning chain on each row?

i don't think i am, i'm getting into a pickle. perhaps i think i'm doing a turning chain when it's not right.

You might be doing a turning chain but not crocheting into the top of the one you made on the previous row. This would make you lose a stitch each row. Not sure it would explain the tightening though.

Second thought - are you crocheting into the right bit of the stitch below? You should put one stitch into each of the CCCCCCC that forms the top of the row you've just completed.