7 Tips How to Fix Uneven Crooked Wavy Crochet Blanket Edges
Imagine you finish your crocheted blanket only to realize you have wonky edges! Don’t worry, there are different ways to fix an uneven crochet blanket! I am going to walk you through different ways on how to correct uneven edges and also explain why this happens. Next time you will have a perfect straight edge and the desired shape on your next project!
How to Fix Uneven Crochet Blanket Edges
There are at least 7 great ways to fix this common problem of uneven edges on a crocheted blanket. Having wavy edges doesn’t just happen to crochet beginners but can happen to an experienced crocheter as well! Try one of these solutions to correct your uneven blanket!
- Add a Border – Sometimes you might have a wavy edge from your turning chain. When this happens the simplest method is to add a single crochet border.
If you have enough yarn left over, one round of single crochet stitches can work wonders on a wonky edge to make the final crochet blanket look perfect! Personally, single crochet makes for the best crochet border but scallops and shells are great too! - Wash and Dry – I know from experience that sometimes all a blanket needs is a little TLC in the washer and dryer. This is a great way to loosen up your stitches to relax the blanket and hopefully get rid of uneven edges.
This works best when the blanket has mostly straight edges but the stitches just need to loosen up. The most important thing for this trick is to check your yarn label first to make sure you can wash and dry.
If you are not sure and still have a test swatch, wash and dry that first and see how it responds. - Wet Block – Wet Blocking blankets is something that I think most people don’t think to do. Large projects can be difficult to manage and blocking them can be overwhelming.
However, sometimes that is all you need to fix a wavy crochet blanket. So grab your blocking board and get to work! - Steam Block – Steam Blocking is more manageable for a large project than wet blocking. I like to drape my blanket over the edge of my bed and run my steamer down evenly, focusing on the edges.
When you are done lay it flat to dry and hopefully you will have the perfect crochet blanket! - Add a Design Element – Did your square blanket end up more triangular? Those stitch counts and tension might be way off where the other tips may not be enough.
If that’s the case then get creative and free crochet some extra pieces to fill in where you need more material.
This may not be the aesthetic you are looking for but it’s great practice to see how you can create shaping in crochet! - Frog – I avoid frogging at all costs except when it is absolutely necessary. An example would be if nothing above will work, it’s a large blanket made from a lot of skeins and I love the yarn.
I have a hard time not making something I love with yarn I love. So sometimes it is just best to frog it and start over OR even just frog back to a section where the edges weren’t wavy!
Just make sure you understand why you ended up with wavy curling edges so it doesn’t happen again. - Cut it – Yup, you can cut it. You can cut crochet and stitch up the side or you can cut it, create a backing and sew it down.
Now, doing this will depend on the type of stitch and if you are cutting along a row or up a row end.
Before you try this you must take a close look at the construction of your blanket to decide which is best.
Look at the difference below that a light steam blocking makes on wavy and curling edges. These are my crochet pumpkin coasters and before they are blocked the edges are a bit wonky.
Once I apply just a little steam they lay nice and flat so I have nice straight edges!
How to Keep Crochet Blanket Edges Straight
Starting Tension
An ugly edge happens on crochet blankets for many different reasons. Sometimes your starting chain tension may not match the rest of your tension in your blanket.
A great way to avoid this is by learning how to crochet a chainless foundation row. This will help to avoid having an incorrect tension on the bottom edge of your blanket.
I prefer foundation stitches over a foundation chain since it has more stretch at the base and looks cleaner.
Extra Stitches or Skipping Stitches
Another reason blanket edges become wavy is because you may be adding extra stitches to the end of each row leading to an incorrect stitch count.
Or you might be losing stitches at the end of your rows. Then you won’t have the correct number of stitches making your crochet project uneven on the side of the blanket.
Beginner crocheters may benefit from using stitch markers at the end of rows to have proper stitch placements.
Example to Losing Stitches
I have a perfect example of losing stitches. I began teaching Jack how to crochet and he is doing really great with making the stitches but he is still learning to identify the first stitch and last stitch in a row.
He is skipping a lot of stitches which is causing him to make a ton of triangles! If this is happening to you too then try placing stitch makers in your first and last stitch so you don’t accidentally skip them.
Difficult Stitch Pattern
Sometimes the stitch pattern can making having the right number of stitches difficult. It may be a good idea to create a small swatch that won’t take much time to ensure that you are comfortable with the stitch pattern you will be using.
Chaining Tension
The most common reason for uneven curling edges is loose or tight stitches from not having a consistent tension. The best way to fix this is by making sure you have the proper hook size for your yarn weight and type of yarn.
If your stitches are tight try a larger hook. If your stitches are loose try a smaller hook. Proper tension will make your stitches lay flat and avoid curling blankets.
Tired Sore Hands
Also, when it comes to tension it can change quite drastically from your first row to your last row if you have any hand fatigue. If your hands feel sore and tire a single thing you should do is stop and stretch them.
Tired hands will grip and hold a hook differently so give them a break and avoid tight stitches and other tension issues.
Try Granny Squares or Other Motifs
If you struggle with having nice straight crisp edges on your blankets maybe try making a blanket with granny squares.
Sometimes working a blanket in pieces will give a better result because you can block all of your granny squares before seaming. This will help make sure your edges are straight and don’t curl or curve.
Work Smaller
Maybe granny squares aren’t your thing, you can also try making baby blankets to start. A smaller blanket like a baby blanket or even a small throw are a much more manageable crochet pattern because they have fewer stitches per row.
This makes it easier and less time consuming to go back and count. Also, if you notice your tension changing a little bit then it’s also not much to front back and fix.
Yarn Weight and Type of Yarn
Another thing to consider is the weight of yarn you are using. I find that lighter yarns can be harder to keep a consistent tension on compared to bulky yarn.
So try some different yarns and see if that helps you to avoid uneven edges. Yarn texture can also be a factor, some yarns are slippery! This can cause you unintentionally tug on your stitches, again affecting tension.
Crochet Hook Size
So now you’ve tried all these suggestions and still aren’t having any luck with curling blanket edges. You might need to check your crochet hook size.
It’s possible that going up or down a hook size will relax and even out your stitches so that you can create a nice straight edge. Trying different styles of hook may help as well.
I recently made a scarf and by changing my hook size my edges became even in stead of wonky and curled. You can see the progressing from the bottom swatch to the top swatch how it lays nice and flat without pulling.
Soild Color vs Different Colors
Lastly, you should take into consideration if you are making your entire blanket in a solid color or if you are doing color changes.
Working in a solid color is the easiest way to crochet a blanket because it avoids changing colors and weaving in ends.
Switching to a different color can create some bulky spots in subsequent rows which can make some wonky edges.
If you really would like a multi color blanket try using something like Lion Brand Mandala which is self striping!
I hope that these 7 Tips on How to Fix Uneven Crooked Wavy Crochet Blanket Edges and why curling blanket edges happen has been helpfu!
I am confident that your next project will be a tot success and that you will have a beautiful crochet blanket with straight even edge!
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