Crosses are another easy, traditional stitch used in many patterns. Beginners often find that their crosses bunch and pull, resulting in a stitch that looks more like a tight V, rather than a nice, relaxed X.
Because the cross is made from 2dcs - and those stitches are the same length - they want to pull in. The beginner doesn't necessarily know why the fabric bunches and gets frustrated that their piece doesn't look as good as the photo in the book. Those who have been crocheting longer know what the problem is, and you have a few techniques available to solve it.
You COULD switch the top double crochet for a triple crochet. That will make your stitch longer, but the whole extra wrap is actually TOO long, and the top cross will be floppy, and have a more twisted appearance. More often, the crocheter needs to pull up a slightly longer loop - and maintain it for all 3 pulls of the stitch. After that, the crocheter has to pull up EVERY cross to the same height, so that the stitches are identical across the piece. If you can't maintain consistency, your whole piece will look uneven, lumpy and messy.
VarieHook to the rescue! By using the VH large shaft for the second cross, the top dc is longer and reaches easily back to the skipped stitch. Because all of your large loops are made on a shaft, they are all identical to each other (no estimating!) and each cross will be identical to all the others in your pattern. You don't need to remember *exactly* how far you pulled up your large loops!
As you learn to make crosses on the VarieHook, imagine how many other stitches you regularly make that seem tight or cause your fabric to bunch. Which part of the stitch could be made on the medium or large shaft to easy the fabric to lay flat, with no extra work from you?
Comments