Crochet - why can't I get my edges straight?

[Judyandherdreamofhorses]

I'm a beginner...you might have guessed.

I've just taken down half a scarf. It's sides were wiggly. It's a really basic pattern - 21 stitches, DC (US) into each stitch. What could I be doing wrong? I'm ending up with different numbers of stitches each row!

As I've taken it down, I'll make sure each row is exactly correct next time I try (tomorrow, I hope, I want to wear it soon!). I'm chaining 3 before I turn.

Can anyone help from my inane drivelling explanation?

[awaywego1]

I'm a newbie too the mistake I made was forgetting I need to skip one at the beginning of a row and making sure you go into the last stitch (which looks like the edge) at the end of the row.

[CalamitouslyWrong]

You're probably missing the last stitch in some of your rows. It can be hard to see it.

[Judyandherdreamofhorses]

Do I need to hook into the second or third stitch along if my turning chain is three? I think that by the time I gave up and took it down, I'd worked out how to hook into the last sketch properly, it's the other end that's the problem.

[craftynclothy]

Ok, when you start a new row you make a chain of 3, you then miss the first set of loops next to the bottom of that chain 3 and make a DC in the next set of loops along. Basically the chain 3 'belongs' to that first set of loops as it counts as the first stitch.

[craftynclothy]

There's a really clear photo tutorial here www.crochetme.com/blogs/kim_werker/archive/2009/4/13/demystifying-double-crochet-for-beginners.aspx

[Judyandherdreamofhorses]

Thanks, that's really helpful. I actually abandoned that pattern and went for a looped one (now I have the problem of keeping count of stitches!).

[whatdoesittake48]

Sometimes it makes sense to count the number of stitches at the end of each row, just to make sure you are keeping them even. But as already mentioned there are two things you could be doing wrong.

starting your row on the wrong stitch - you need to go into the second one along.
Missing out a stitch at the end. Even if you can't easily see where the stitch goes (because it is a chain rather than a stitch you are going into)just kind of guess the right space. it always ends up looking OK.