Why Is My Crochet Too Tight? (And How to Relax It)

Tight tension is the most common complaint we hear from new crocheters. It makes stitches hard to work into, fabric stiff and hands sore. The good news is that it is easy to fix.

Five fixes

1. 1Loosen your grip on the yarn: let it flow over your index finger.
2. 2Make every loop on the thick part of the hook, not on the throat.
3. 3Go up one or two hook sizes.
4. 4Relax your shoulders and rest your forearms on a cushion.
5. 5Use a smooth, slightly slippery yarn while you practise.

When tight is good

For amigurumi, tight stitches are exactly what you want, because they keep the stuffing inside. Use a smaller hook on purpose for toys like the Sleepy Bunny.

More fixes for common problems are in our troubleshooting guide.