20 Common Crochet Mistakes and How to Fix Them: Expert Solutions
📅 Last updated: February 2026Every crocheter makes mistakes, and I say that as someone who has been crocheting for over 20 years and still occasionally miscounts a stitch. The difference between a frustrated beginner and a confident crocheter is not the absence of mistakes but the ability to identify and fix them quickly. This guide covers the 20 mistakes I see most frequently in my classes and online communities, along with the exact fix for each one.
I organized these from most common to least common based on my experience teaching thousands of students. If you are struggling with any aspect of crochet, chances are your issue is on this list.
Top 20 Mistakes and Fixes
| # | Mistake | Fix | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Miscounting stitches | Use stitch markers every 10-20 stitches | Very common |
| 2 | Inconsistent tension | Practice consistent yarn wrap, use pencil grip | Very common |
| 3 | Skipping first/last stitch | Mark the turning chain and first stitch | Very common |
| 4 | Working into turning chain | Count the turning chain as a stitch OR not, consistently | Common |
| 5 | Row width changing | Count stitches at end of every row | Common |
| 6 | Twisted foundation chain | Count chain stitches before joining rounds | Common |
| 7 | Too-tight foundation chain | Use a hook 1-2 sizes larger for chain only | Common |
| 8 | Splitting yarn | Use a hook with a rounder tip, insert under both loops | Moderate |
| 9 | Curling edges | Block the finished piece, or add a border | Moderate |
| 10 | Not making a gauge swatch | Always swatch for garments; adjust hook size | Very common |
| 11 | Ignoring yarn labels | Read and photograph every label | Common |
| 12 | Wrong yarn for project | Match fiber to use case (see our guides) | Moderate |
| 13 | Not weaving in ends properly | Weave through 2-3 inches in different directions | Common |
| 14 | Frogging too aggressively | Pull slowly, use a smaller hook to pick up live loop | Moderate |
| 15 | Wrong stitch height | Learn the 4 main stitch heights and their chains | Moderate |
| 16 | Crocheting too tightly | Relax hands, use larger hook, take breaks | Common |
| 17 | Not counting rows | Use a row counter or tally marks on paper | Moderate |
| 18 | Different dye lots | Buy all yarn at once, check lot numbers | Moderate |
| 19 | Skipping blocking | Block every garment and blanket piece | Very common |
| 20 | Not reading full pattern first | Read entire pattern before starting | Very common |
The Big Three: Deep Dive
Mistake #1: Miscounting Stitches
This is the number one problem for everyone, beginners and experienced crocheters alike. The fix is simple but requires discipline: use stitch markers. Place a marker in the first stitch of every row and every 10-20 stitches along the row. Count your stitches at the end of every single row until counting becomes automatic. Yes, it slows you down initially, but it saves enormous time compared to frogging 15 rows because you lost a stitch back on row 3.
Mistake #2: Inconsistent Tension
Tension varies with mood, fatigue, and hand position. Crochet done while anxious or hurried tends to be tight. Relaxed evening crocheting tends to be loose. The key is awareness: notice when your tension changes and adjust your grip accordingly. The pencil grip (holding the hook like a pencil) provides more consistent control than the knife grip for most people. See our Tension Guide for detailed techniques.
Mistake #3: Losing the First or Last Stitch
This causes triangular fabric that gets wider or narrower with each row. The fix: decide whether your turning chain counts as the first stitch of the row (yes for dc, typically no for sc). Mark the turning chain with a stitch marker if it counts. At the end of the row, make sure you work into the turning chain of the previous row (or the actual last stitch, depending on your choice).
Sources
- Crochet Guild of America — Troubleshooting Guide
- Craft Yarn Council — Common Errors Reference
- Debbie Stoller — Stitch n Bitch Crochet (Workman Publishing)