HELP, please! When crocheting large loops, the work twists in on itself!

Hi,
I really need help urgently because I’m slowly but surely getting really frustrated. I’m actually pretty good at crocheting—I’m not really a beginner—but apparently I’m too clumsy to crochet a large loop :-(. I’m currently trying to recreate the fan-pattern top for kids—it shouldn’t be that hard. I make 120 chain stitches, join them to form a loop, then work one row of single crochet. Then I start the fan pattern: begin with 2 chain stitches, then 2 double crochets—2 chain stitches—2 double crochets in one stitch, skip the next stitch, and repeat from the beginning. After 3 rows, the crochet piece has twisted! This happens to me every time, and I just have no idea why. Is there something I need to pay special attention to, or a mistake I keep making...? Please help! Thanks in advance!

This can happen time and again when there are a lot of chain stitches, and it’s obviously super frustrating because you end up having to start over from the beginning.
I use a little trick every now and then. I crochet the required number of chain stitches and then, depending on how the pattern continues, make the necessary turning chains. Then, instead of closing the circle, I turn the work and crochet the first round as a row, so to speak. Only after finishing this row do I close the circle—either with a slip stitch, depending on the pattern, or by continuing to crochet in a spiral. I then use the starting tail to close the small hole.

Hi MyBatzi,

first of all, thank you so much for your quick reply! At least I’m not alone with this problem. Yes, I’d already thought of that trick, but I wasn’t sure if it would help because I don’t know where the problem actually lies. Is the mistake always made in the first round? Probably yes—in that case, I could of course solve the problem the way you described, and I wouldn’t have to keep unraveling it. Thank you so much—I think I’ll probably have to unravel the whole thing after all :-( and will try it again the way you described... Thank you very much + best regards

Hi Eva,

do it just as MyBatzi describes.

It's best to make two turning chains, then work back a row of half double crochets starting in the 3rd stitch from the hook.
Then you can easily close the row with a slip stitch.

And then you can start the fan pattern.

If you have any further questions, feel free to ask me. 

The fastest way to reach me is via Facebook Messenger. That's where my phone beeps. ;-)

But you're also welcome to send me a message here on Crazypatterns. I get a red dot there that alerts me.

Of course, I'll also reply to you here in the forum, but it might take a little while, since I don't know when someone gets in touch with me.

Best regards, Birgit 

I’m unfortunately familiar with that too when there’s such a high number of chain stitches.

I solved it by putting the closed loop around my knees, stretching it, and then crocheting the round; it also works with a veeeery sweet man who holds the loop for me and helps make sure nothing gets twisted.

But the tip about crocheting one row normally first (not continuing in rounds) is excellent. I’ll have to remember that, because with my method there’s still room for error as you keep turning the work, and from 200 single crochets onward it’s no longer really manageable.

Hello, ladies,

thank you so much! I’m really relieved to get help here so quickly. After a long break, I’ve rediscovered crocheting. Unfortunately, though, I don’t have anyone I can quickly ask about such specific things... I’m trying it now just as you described. I’d just be curious—what exactly am I doing so consistently wrong? Best regards

Hello Eva,

this is my pattern!

The pattern says: "One wrong side row of single crochet and join the work into a round with a slip stitch. From here on, work in rounds!"

In rare cases, though, the row of single crochet is too narrow, and sometimes problems occur when joining. The row must not be twisted!
That's why I advised you to work half double crochets instead of single crochets.

Best regards
Birgit

Dear eva-sorantin,

I can’t say for sure what the exact reason is in your case.

In my case, long chains of chain stitches tend to twist, and when I’m joining them into a ring, I do try to lay everything out neatly and get it all straight in one row, but then I overlook a small twist and the damage is done. And unfortunately, I only notice it once I’m 2–3 rows into the pattern.