Crocheting Straight Edges

Dear users, dear authors,
How can beginners crochet nice, straight edges? How can you make sure the crocheted piece doesn’t pull in unattractively?

Here’s what I do: At the beginning, I crochet, for example, 2 chain stitches instead of the first single crochet stitch.
At the end, starting with the second row, I insert the hook a little deeper than the rest of the stitches.

Most of the time, these slanted edges are caused by unintentional decreases at the beginning of the row—the only solution is to focus intently on making sure you actually insert the hook into the first stitch and not the second one right away.

I can only agree with Veronika’s comment. When I watch a beginner crocheting, they usually skip the first stitch of the row. If you pull the stitches apart a little, you’ll see it—that first important stitch.

At the end of the row, the last stitch is easier to see. If you pay attention to these two stitches, you’ll get straight edges. You can practice this at your own pace with thick cotton yarn—that way, you’ll see it very clearly.

Best regards, Ina