MAPICrochet Troubleshooting
Explainers
Why Is My Crochet Gauge Different From the Pattern?
Your stitch or row gauge may differ because your personal tension, yarn or hook produces a different swatch than the pattern specifies.
Why Is My Crochet Foundation Chain Too Tight?
A constricted foundation chain can make the next row difficult and the edge pucker. Lion Brand and the Craft Yarn Council recommend a looser chain or larger hook for that starting row.
Why Is My Crochet Hook Hard to Pull Through Stitches?
If the hook catches when pulling yarn through crochet loops, check its orientation and whether you loosen the working yarn after each stitch.
Quick Answers
Can You Use a Different Yarn Weight in a Crochet Pattern?
You can try a different yarn weight, but it is not an automatic equivalent: the Craft Yarn Council says weight categories and hook ranges are guidelines and the pattern gauge must govern.
Do Turning Chains Count as Stitches in Crochet?
It depends on the stitch and the pattern: the Craft Yarn Council shows a single-crochet turning chain not counting, while a typical double-crochet chain-three counts.