Gapping between Stitches

StealthGirl wrote

on Jan 21, 2009 3:19 PM

Okay, apparently I can't figure this out on my own and I need to ask 120000 questions and feel stupid before I figure this out. My apologies for being so darn dense!

Here's the pattern I'm working on...

Rnd 2: Work 2 sc in each sc around – 12 sc.

(http://www.coatsandclark.com/Crafts/Crochet/Projects/BabyChild/WT1741+Cutest+Little+Owl.htm)

When I'm working on Round 2, I'm getting gaps between each pair of stitches. I can't figure out how to fix it? Are my stitches not short enough? Do I need to pull it tighter as I go? If I'm going to do this to stuff after, I can't have holes.

Again my apologies for being so stupid and needing to ask 120000 questions. *sigh* I really want to do this and I'm having so much trouble. Please tell me it gets easier if I get through this part.

PaulineL wrote

on Jan 22, 2009 12:30 AM

Random ideas - pull tighter, use a smaller hook, use fatter yarn, make sure you're not sneaking a ch-1 in there...

Somewhere there was a suggestion to line an amigurumi with a bit of nylon sock to hide the whiteness of the stuffing, probably on a brown yarn creation. Can you buy colored sox at a Dollar Store?

StealthGirl wrote

on Jan 22, 2009 10:07 PM

I'm pulling it tight and I still can see through. I'm starting to think I've broken my own heart by falling in love with some amigurumi because I can't figure it out. I've made a ripped out two round about 10-15x a day for the past week. Every picture I can find online - including the ones of people's first projects - none of them look like mine. They all have perfect little circles from the top. :( I had gaps as big around as my crochet hook even if my stitches between are almost too little to put a hook through.

Why can everyone else figure this out and I can't? That 2sc in st leaves bad spaces for me and I just want to cry.

PaulineL wrote

on Jan 22, 2009 11:29 PM

Another random thought - don't pull tight until the very last step of each stitch. That first insert hook, yo, pull loop thru should be loose and plump. The yo pull loop thru 2 loops should still be loose. Now that the stitch is complete, give a little tug, just a little one. Or don't tug. Maybe you are pulling so tight that the stitches are pulled into little wizened things. It shouldn't be hard to insert your hook, so try loosening up.

Have you done any flat, turn at the end of a row, back and forth single crochet? If so, how did that look?

StealthGirl wrote

on Jan 23, 2009 3:42 PM

I guess I didn't explain what I've tried so far very well. I've tried loose stitches, tight stitches and tightening after the stitches are complete. I spent hours last night trying it and trying a few more rounds to see if it continues to have holes.

I've done afghans before and flat stuff, but maybe I should go do something specific off a pattern that is flat just to make sure my technique is right.

I'm thinking it's going to click at some point and I'll realize what I'm missing.

Sorry to be so dense about this and ask 80000qs.

PaulineL wrote

on Jan 23, 2009 11:51 PM

Oh boy! First, you are NOT dense! It took years, but I finally learned that when I'm confused there are usually lots of people with me who are also confused but afraid to ask. So ask! They will appreciate getting an answer without risking their egos, and the person who answers gets to show off, lol. Or falls flat on her face. Oh well.

Maybe one of the amigurumi experts can help. I'm lost.

Well, one more, did you try a smaller hook?

StealthGirl wrote

on Jan 24, 2009 8:03 PM

I decided last night that maybe I just need to make one and ignore the imperfections, figuring I'd learn more while making my first.

http://www.coatsandclark.com/Crafts/Crochet/Projects/BabyChild/WT1741+Cutest+Little+Owl.htm

The head has a few extra stitches in it somewhere, I think, but the body is pretty good. My daughter is almost two and I know she'll adore it when she finds out what I'm doing. My next one will be better. :)

Thanks for all your help! (I'll post some pics in the other section when I'm finished!)

PaulineL wrote

on Jan 24, 2009 10:30 PM

That's a good plan. Good luck!

Boupie2 wrote

on Jan 25, 2009 9:22 PM

There is nothing wrong with you but amigurumi are hard the first time. I would recommend a smaller hook but it is ok if you have some gaps (smaller than a pencil can be dealt with but any bigger and you have problems). If you can't seem to handle the pattern in a smaller hook and still have holes you can always 'cheat' a little bit like my friends sometimes do and thread yarn through from the inside to kind of 'sew' it tighter. It seems to work with their stuffing and you really can't tell from the outside. It is an extra step but it works.

I hope that made sense and I didn't just ramble. Let me know if I can help anymore or if it is not clear. Good luck and you can do it!