newbie question - my scarf keeps getting smaller!!...

[sleepywalkin]

ok, dumb question, i'm sure...

- i'm learning to crochet.  i haven't bought a book yet, but i plan to.  i figure you might be able to answer my Q in the meantime.  i started with a chain about 7.5 inches long...and somehow i dropped (?) stiches so now it's about 6 inches long.  i've done about 10 rows i guess.  if i keep this up, my "scarf" will only be big enough to cover my pinkie finger!  what am i doing wrong? 

[FluffyMonkey]

count your stitches. do you still have the same amount or are there some missing? if there are some missing stitches, pull out your work until you get back to a row before you began losing stitches (dropping), and try again.

if you aren't dropping stitches, your work may just be getting tighter. this is normal as you progress in your crocheting skills; your stitches will naturally get neater. you may want to consider pulling out your whole scarf (I know, what a pain!) and starting over. you'll be much more satisfied with the results, I promise.

[Debzzzbee]

Are you working in single or double crochet? You may be inserting the hook into the wrong stitch(es) as you go back-n-forth across the rows. Single crochet is easiest for beginners (less 'loops' to keep track of !) And...dont buy a book unless you can get one for cheap. Most crochet magazines (and some knitting ones) have instructions for the basic stitches you need, but if you are learning crochet to keep as an ongoing hobby...I would suggest investing in a book that covers mostly stitches and 'how-to' rather than books with many patterns. You can get tons of patterns online for free, and many online tutorials available too...one that was helpful to me was www.stitchguide.com
Hope I have helped! Let us know how that scarf is turning out. 

[sleepywalkin]

thanks so much!  i did look at books last night and realized that i didn't want to spend $20 when i could probably find the same info online.  once i get the hang of it, maybe i'll invest. 

i'm off to that web site now that you recommended.  thanks again!

[dntysgrplm]

When I first started, my problem was that each new row I made was one stitch too short because I wasn't going all the way to the end, I was stopping short.  So the first row had 30, the next 29, the next 28.  I started marking the beginning of each new row with a saftey pin or scrap of contrasting yarn, so that I know when I was coming back which stitch was the first(last) stitch.  Hope that helped. 

[callmeurine]

When I first started, my problem was that each new row I made was one stitch too short because I wasn't going all the way to the end, I was stopping short.  So the first row had 30, the next 29, the next 28. 

That is exactly the same thing that happened to me.  After practicing a lot and finding out exactly what the end of a row looked like, I figured it out and then they were all even. 

[PurpleHeather]

This is happening to me at the moment - I reckon I need to frog back quite a few rows, as I suspect it's a combo of dropping a few stitches, and my tension improving.  LuckilyI have a 2.5 hour train journey & about 12 hours of car journeys over this weekend that I can crochet in!

[determinedimprovisation]

with the end of the row thing--make sure you chain one!

[bag_lady]

are you keeping your tension even?

[crappiefisher]

this is very common. my first projects went the same way. are you using a simple worsted weight yarn or a cool, fancy fuzzy yarn? sometimes, especially for beginners, it's best to stick with the Red Heart-type yarn. simple. no fuzzy wuzzy. the fuz hides the stitches. once you get a few projects under your belt, you'll begin to "see" the last stitch (which is usually a chain of 2 or 3 stitches, depending on the stitch of the scarf).  a lot of times that chain sticks too close to the last dc, hdc, or whatever and you don't see it.

the best way, if you want to stick with your nice yarn, is to sit with no tv or radio and count your stitches out loud as your stitch. after about 10 rows you should be catching on. there's really no way to teach this without just doin' it.

good luck! btw, i still can't make a scard using a very nice soft fuzzy yarn!!!