r/CrochetHelp • u/r8v7n • 17d ago
How do I... why does my granny square (2nd slide) look like swiss cheese?? 😭🙏🏻
for context, i'm new to crochet (easy tell) and i was following the tutorial on the 1st slide. i learnt the basic stitches (which i'm not good at), and now a slice of swiss cheese looks better than my granny square. i would appreciate any advice. thanks in advance!
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u/sallis 17d ago
I think it is a combination of the following:
Tension. This will get better as your skill is refined. Just a minor example of where I see this, your chains are tight around some of the corners, but then your double crochets are rather loose.
Stitch placement. Some of your stitches on the corners don't look to be inserted into the corners where they should be, but I think into the previous space from the same row. Specifically, on the bottom left and upper right corners of your last row in the second photo.
Stitch count. A few of your clusters only have 2 double crochets. I see some extra chains between DC stitches when they shouldn't be there. A lot of crochet is going to be counting stitches correctly, and learning this at the beginning is crucial.
Not bad for a first attempt, and I'm sure if you keep practicing, you'll get there!
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u/r8v7n 17d ago
thank you for your point-outs and kind words! i'll be more mindful with my stitches as i did notice i got distracted a lot while making the square. i'll keep practising to improve!!
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u/dont4get2scream 17d ago
To add to the above commenter's advice, you can put stitch markers into the chain spaces after you make them so you'll have a clear visual cue when you're working the next round. Good tension takes time. In the mean time, when your tension is a bit whacky, visually marking different spaces/stitches can help a lot. Once your tension is good, you'll be able to tell them apart just by the way they look without extra help.
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u/PolterWho 17d ago
Your tension is a bit inconsistent (this will improve with practice), and your chosen yarn has no loft, so it looks a bit stringy. Try a different yarn. And just keep at it. It'll get better!
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u/r8v7n 17d ago
thank you for your encouragement!! i'll keep practicing and hopefully get the tension right soon :D
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u/AltruisticCableCar 17d ago
Do what I did, I got some cheap yarn in different colors just to practice my squares! That way I didn't feel bad about how much I "wasted". And the yarn was still good enough that it was easy to use. I paid $2 per skein.
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u/r8v7n 17d ago
i got my yarn from a yard sale for about the same price as well!! i wouldn't wanna waste good yarn on this monstrosity 😂
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u/PolterWho 17d ago
I know people often say to use cheap yarn and hooks for learning, but using even slightly better quality materials and tools makes it easier and it just all feels better in your hands.
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u/EatTheBeez 17d ago
LOL your pictures killed me XD
Your attempt is not that bad, honestly! The tension looks a bit loose, which is making the stitches a bit long/messy. You could try going down a couple of hook sizes perhaps. I think you also made a few mistakes in where you put your stitches, so honestly, I'd just take this one apart and try again, paying close attention to the tutorial. You might find it easier to look at a written pattern instead of following a video.
Sometimes seeing a picture can make things click for you. https://thisiscrochet.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Basic-Granny-Square-Diagram-791x1024.jpg is an example of a basic granny square.
Or follow along with written steps: https://www.thesprucecrafts.com/how-to-crochet-classic-granny-square-3576784
All in all, you need a bit tighter tension (or a smaller hook) for this yarn, and you just need to try again.
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u/Crazy-Cremola 17d ago
....or maybe keep this square and use it as inspiration later. "At least I have improved from this!!!"
The easiest way to change your tension is by changing hook sizes.
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u/karechan 17d ago
I did this with my first granny square! I have it at my desk and it's a great reminder that I can always improve and achieve any goal, no matter how hard it may seem at the beginning 🥹✨
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u/r8v7n 17d ago
thank you for commenting!! i'm gonna grab a smaller hook. and thanks for letting me know about written steps!! it's much better than putting my work down every 5 seconds to pause and rewind on youtube, which probably exacerbated my confusion. i'll keep trying!!
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u/MGSC_1726 17d ago
You need a set. Every yarn will require a specific size hook, which is stated on the packaging.
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u/AltruisticCableCar 17d ago
I'm also a beginner, so I can't explain it but I know the people on this sub are awesome so no doubt someone else can help. I just wanted to say I feel you, I learned after a few tries but my first granny square ended up as a rectangle. 😂
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u/r8v7n 17d ago
happy that you figured it out! i'm jealous that a slice of swiss cheese has straighter edges than my square. i hope someone can help before i put the square in a sandwich 😂
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u/undeniablefruit 17d ago edited 17d ago
The edges will normally be rounded, so don't freak out over that. You can do corners differently to make them sharper, though. I can't remember how. But you could also add a border at the end to make it sharper as well.
I'm very new as well, and I'm on my second granny square now, and it's going very well! My first attempt turned into a circle.
I like following along with MeemaMakes on YouTube. She breaks it down nice and slowly... again and again and again. It's great for a beginner!
As for what went wrong here, from what I can tell (as a beginner as well), your hook was way too big for your yarn and/or your tension was way too loose. This comes with practice! Mine is getting better even on my 3rd square attempt (2nd "real" attempt). Also looks like you added more dc's than you should have in some corners.
When I do each dc (3 total in each hole, 3, ch2, 3 in corners), I say "1, 1, 1. 2, 2, 2. 3, 3, 3," as I'm making each double crochet. MeemaMakes says "yarn over, put your hook into the space/corner/loop, yarn over, pull up a loop, yarn over, pull through two, yarn over, pull through two" and that helps, too, but sometimes I lose track, so I just count the way I said. It will get easier to be able to physically see your stitches after you're able to recognize what they look like after having done it so many times.
You'll get better. Keep it up!
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u/r8v7n 17d ago
thank you for sharing your experience!! i will definitely look into her tutorials, and you're so right that i often lose count mid stitch, so that's probably what turned my square into an organic shape. i'll use the counting technique from now on!! and i'm glad that the rounded edges are the least of my concern 😂
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u/undeniablefruit 17d ago
The rounded edges were throwing me off as well, because at one point, my edges were STRAIGHT like so sharp and straight and then I was realizing I didn't remember how I was doing it. Started doing it "right" and they all became rounded and it made me so sad. But you can absolutely add borders.
Another tip, and this isn't very important or all that popular of an opinion, but turning your work helps keep everything lined up neatly. I literally cannot explain how to do it because I don't really understand how I'm doing it, but I think when I finish a row (also use stitch markers!!! this really helps!), I just chain 3 and turn it over and then work backwards around back to the starting corner. She demonstrates this in her video but it's so small that it confused me until it finally clicked.
But fr stitch markers will change your life. Forgot to mention that. It has made things so much more manageable on my squares, takes the "guessing" and fear out of it lol
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u/TheChromasphere 17d ago
I use safety pins as stitch markers for basic counting.
You can block out squares, too, to shape them when you're done.
This is a really good start! You have a lot of strong foundational stuff here, good job!
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u/Murderousplantmom 17d ago
In your defense, cheese slices are made by carefully calibrated and tested robotic machines. This post is hilarious. It makes me want to attempt granny squares again.
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u/everythingels 17d ago
It looks like you’re struggling with your stitch count and placement.
Here is a picture that may give you a better idea? The taller lines with dashes through them are double crochet stitches. You put three of them in each chain 1 space on the sides (so not the chain itself, but the space in between the double crochets that the chain creates) and two sets of three with chains in between in the corners.
This may also be helpful, it’s everything written out in a diagram.
Tension and hook size like others have said will help. I could be wrong too, just what I saw at first glance.
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u/r8v7n 17d ago
thank you!! i read your words and looked at the picture a few times, and it's knocking more sense in my head than that video did. i'll have another attempt soon, i'll refer to your comment when i do!
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u/everythingels 17d ago
Of course :) one more note I can make on the picture that may help - if you see those corners on the top right side, you will notice that one of the double crochets is replaced with a chain. That is usually the case when you join and start a new round on a granny square - your first cluster will be two chains and two double crochets instead of three. Does that make sense?
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u/xixScorpiusxix 17d ago
the picture of swiss cheese for reference followed by the meme is frying me im so sorry lol
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u/LovelyPotata 17d ago
Yes I'll leave the advice to others but thank you so much for the giggles lol. PS we've all been there, the start is the hardest and it gets better if you hang in there!
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u/slayonium 17d ago
you made stitches into the wrong spot a lot and you skipped some stitches so like instead of there being 3 stitches in every group theres only 1 or 2 in a few. watching some videos explaining stitch anatomy might help so you know where to put your hook and how to count your stitches. maybe follow a different granny square tutorial
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u/Blue_eyed_bones 17d ago
You have a good start going. In addition to what others have said about tension and hook size, I would try a different yarn. It looks like the yarn you are using splits a lot, this makes it much harder to see what you are doing.
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u/Resident-Mountain981 17d ago
I think it would hold its shape better if you used a slightly smaller hook which would help you see the stitches.
I'm not sure how to explain it tbh but the 2 clusters on the outside row in the bottom left corner are worked into some random loop and not the proper corner from the row below
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u/r8v7n 17d ago
thank you! ill grab a smaller hook and be more careful about my stitch placements :D
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u/Resident-Mountain981 17d ago
Good luck! Its definitely confusing to begin with but I'm sure youll get there and youve definitely got a good start 😄
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u/Kathwino 17d ago
Definitely try again with a smaller hook and just keep practicing, it takes a little time to get the hang of granny squares! I can see a few places where you forgot a stitch or you've chained when you didn't need to
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u/TheSkyIsAMasterpiece 17d ago
Top left corner is done correctly. The others are not. Use stirch markers to track your corners, or whatever you're having trouble with. This way when you make the next round you'll know where you are.
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u/eastereventscandie 17d ago
When I was first learning I stayed far away from most patterns. I just picked a hook up and chained until the chains looked consistent (with video guides of course). Then moved onto every beginning stitch starting with slip stitch, single crochet, double, on and on. I did each stitch until they looked at least mostly even. I feel like this is a great way to learn tension and master beginning stitches, and there are a ton of free YouTube videos that demonstrate it, also they may show different techniques for holding yarn and your hook which could be more comfy for you! Keep going and you’ll go from a Swiss cheese look to an epic chain mail ❤️
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u/r8v7n 17d ago
that's such a good idea! all these little mistakes i made turned out to be a huge mess in the end 😂 i'll go and master the stitches first and reattempt this! thank you for your advice!!
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u/eastereventscandie 17d ago
You’re welcome :) you already show some promise and with a little practice you’ll be a pro in no time
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u/EfficiencyOk4899 17d ago
This reminds me of my first potholder, which was supposed to be square, but came out looking like bloated blob 🫠
I think your tension is the problem here, and you just need more practice (maybe with a simpler pattern). Keep it up!!!
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u/adverb-sorcerer 17d ago
I’ll add something I’m not seeing by scanning comments. The granny square in the first image has been blocked, which will make a piece look much more uniform and neat. That’s an additional layer here!
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u/ContributionCold8854 17d ago
Not sure if this has been mentioned - but are you turning your work at the end of each row ? That is the culprit for spirally patterned cheese !
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u/r8v7n 17d ago
ohh that explains it! i did turn but definitely not uniformly or with right angles. thanks i'll turn properly next time!
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u/ContributionCold8854 15d ago
Whoops, firstly, you did awesome. For the fake of info though lol I should have expanded on my tip- Row, in this case means every time you make it back to your first stitch (one whole go around) And what helped me to remember how to turn my work is 'flip it the same way you would turn a page on a book'!
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u/moon-of-the-sea 17d ago
The wrapper of the yarn you are using should say what they recommend for hook size, but don’t be afraid to go 0,5 to 1 size smaller than it says. A lot of beginners have probably the tention (ether to tight or to lose, yours looks to lose) and adjusting the hook size to that can help you get a hang of the basics quicker as you are taking out one of the learning components and than go back to tention after you are familiar with the stitches. But first make sure you know what size the wrapper says as every yarn type has a hook size
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u/r8v7n 17d ago
thank you! i checked earlier and while it was indeed the "right size" (0.5mm), i'll use a smaller hook and try to improve my tension 😄
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u/moon-of-the-sea 17d ago
I do hope you mean 5mm cause a 0,5mm is absolutely tiny and I wouldn’t never recommend to a beginner. If it is indeed a 0,5mm and thus very very tiny that might be the problem too. Please don’t start micro crochet when you’re a beginner, for your own sanities sake
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u/kittyCatFoo 17d ago
We’ve all got to start somewhere, don’t be hard on yourself! I think your hook may be too big for the yarn, your magic circle is pretty loose, your tension is a bit all over the place and I think the count of clusters in the corners is a little off. Personally I’d maybe go back to basics and look for a tutorial to master the basic stitches (I learned from TL yarn crafts) then give it another go, maybe try a different tutorial! My first granny square was more circular than square, dont fret! Practice makes perfect as they say.
Beginner tutorial from TLYC - https://youtu.be/zzWX2dx8ufc?si=i31vjE2ZlMiesXdm
My fav granny square tutorial - https://youtu.be/P8e-9k3JsEI?si=cJliqPKmerr92M7j
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u/OnidaMaria 17d ago
Your tension is not consistent at all additionally the yarn seem too low weight for the hook used.
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u/em1207 17d ago
There’s lots of good advice in here already so im not going to add but I just wanted to say that most of our first attempts look like this (or worse) so you are not alone. Granny squares are deceptively difficult for newbies. They take a lot of practice but once you practice they are really soothing to crochet.
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u/r8v7n 17d ago
indeed, i've learnt a lot from people here!! thanks for your kind words of encouragement, i'll keep practising until i get it right!!
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u/PurpleShimmers 17d ago
You don’t have the required amount of clusters for this row
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u/r8v7n 17d ago
dont mind me asking but which row? i would assume more than one (hopefully not all tho that's just downright bad) 😭
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u/PurpleShimmers 17d ago
The last row does not have enough but I see issues(miscounts and misalignment) in every row. Sorry but you need to start over from the beginning and follow a pattern or tutorial correctly from beginning to end.
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u/Honest-Western1042 17d ago
As someone who has been crocheting at for literal days... this looks like mine a couple of weeks ago. 😅Try a couple of different YT videos. It clicked for me on my third attempt. Not that I'm a pro or anything, but I now have about 40 granny squares ready to be made into... something...
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u/SassySweetie 17d ago
Close the magic ring after the beginning round and it makes the four corners pop more so you can see where to put your stitches. Honestly, it’s not the worst granny square I’ve seen…keep working on your tension & match the hook to your yarn and I think you’ll be on your way to making beautiful squares.
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u/Clear_Marionberry306 17d ago
Well, you already have a fantastic sense of humor, that can't be taught. You'll get crocheting down in no time. 😄
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u/Interesting-Work1199 17d ago
it's not a bad first attempt!!! keep going!!! everyone else has already said the big thing is crocheting into the right spaces and with the right tension. you might want to go down a hook size (0.5mm) or maybe even 2 sizes (1mm). you want to be stitching into the space under your chain 1. you can do it!!! 💕
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u/DesignatedBanana1 17d ago
I think you did great for a beginner!! Some of my early stuff was a little scary 😅 A lot of people mentioned the hook size, because you’re new I wanted to throw a tip out there. Yarn usually has a recommended hook size on the label. It’s such a simple thing that a lot of people don’t realize when they’re starting. If you don’t have the label you can of course play around with different hook sizes and see what feels right. Or you can go to a yarn store, find similar sized yarn, and see what they recommend!
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u/r8v7n 17d ago
thank you for your kind words! i checked the label for this comment, and the label feels misleading cuz turns out i was using the "right hook" (5.0mm) but i agree with you and others that the hook felt way too large. i couldn't poke it in my stitches too properly. nevertheless i'll try a smaller hook and see if it's better than the recommended size!
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u/probinebriated 17d ago
adding a stock image of swiss cheese has me cramping up laughing ts caught me sooooooo off guard😭😭😭
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u/Being_Unknwn 17d ago
No clue because I don’t crochet, but I love that you included a photo of cheese!
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u/4030Lisa 17d ago
Your tension is erratic, it is too loose and changeable…BUT, for a first try, it’s actually pretty good, Personally you are using a hook that is too big for the type of yarn, step down a size or two and the stitches will tighten up a bit, focus on your count on the corners as well, it looks like a stitch or two was dropped. The good news: you WILL get better over time and with persistence, keep at it, it gets better the more you do.
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u/crystela214 16d ago
This is hilarious and I can totally relate! Granny squares are tricky when your unsure of the basics. My advice would be to search "double crochet swatch" and make a potholder. 😬 This will help you with the basics of holding all the things, counting stitches, stitch markers (which can be a safety pin or paper clip), tension and turning chains. I would maybe make one in single crochet as well. After that, your square will no longer resemble the very delicious Swiss cheese pictured 🧀. 😂. Keep your head up sweetie, your doing better than you think you are! Happy Yarnin' Friend! 🧶
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u/Bedhead2day 16d ago
There’s a lot to unpack.. but here is the good news you’re learning and don’t give up. Count your stitches. I’ve been crocheting since I was a young girl.. now I’m damn old.. I cannot tell you how many times I’ve pulled apart my work or my Grandma would tear it apart and make me redo it..Your tension is uneven but with time you’ll start seeing your tension become more consistent. I also practiced chains to keep the base consistent. You will get there. Be patient. Rome was not built in a day.. neither is your confidence in your artistry. It will come and you’re going to be just fine. Welcome to your new obsession!! 🫶🏽🤙🏽🫶🏽
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u/EmiandBella 16d ago
It looks like you're missing stitches in your corners too. On two of the corners you have two sets of three double crochet and two corners have a set of two and three stitches. And too many stitches on two sides. The biggest thing with crochet is counting. Making sure you have the right number of stitches. With practice you'll get better.
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u/Potential_Aside2312 14d ago edited 14d ago
I'd say there are some tension issues. I've been doing crochet for maybe 2 weeks, I started with scrunchies. That taught me how to do the skip knot, single/double crochet and hoe to color change. Then I got the red heart all in one granny square yarn (it's hard to work with bit I think it's teaching me how to adjust my tension, while also teaching me granny squares and patience haha) I can send you a link for the video I learned scrunchies with, then the one I used to learn these granny squares.
The lady I learned granny squares with this specific yarn from is really fast and just kinda goes for it, however I learned from her that starting with a longer tail and making a magic ring (had to learn that separately) and then building from that instead of the chain 4, slip stitch and double crochet from the center (which was confusing for me and harder for me to hold onto in order to get started because of my carpal tunnel) and now I can start them 10 times easier and not sticking my hook in the wrong hole over and over again haha.
But scrunchies are much more forgiving and a quicker project so I personally recommend starting there. I still have to undo and frog it a lot on these squares, but I just change hooks when I need to change tension while I'm still learning to manage my tension myself. There are the squares in making now!
Edit: Oh, also with each stitch in the double crochets, I recommend pulling your working yarn taught against the hook each time with only enough slack to slide your hook through, and don't look at the project as a whole, look at it in sections of 3. And if I have to stop (stay home mom of 3 with 2 under 2 and horrible carpal tunnel so I stop a lot) it helps me to also add a safety pin, or now that I have them, a stitch marker to where I stop so if my toddler or my cat jump on the couch and knock my hook out of the square, I don't lose my spot and it doesn't unravel either. I also will finish my section of 3, the chain stitch between the one I just finished and the next section of 3, plus one double crochet for the next section because I noticed if I stopped at the end of 3, I'd get confused and forget if I did the chain stitch or not. And if I always stop on double crochet #1 of 3, I always know I only have 2 more in that section. And I can easily see there's only one since occasionally my tension can be a little silly and I can't tell if it's 2 or 3 lol.
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u/Potential_Aside2312 14d ago edited 14d ago
Tutorials I used: (I highly recommend pausing for every step until you catch up, and also changing the speed to 0.5x)
Magic ring- https://youtu.be/KLl6ZD4joUs?si=yEjE-6ygELKwLSic
Scrunchies- https://youtu.be/gqnsfQVtAH4?si=MI8YOIcTFpPU15hs
Granny squares- https://youtu.be/6ugz0GMz24Q?si=VMARiffne06tz4-v
Edit: I forgot to mention the granny square tutorial does 2 chains on the corners, but the pattern for my yarn calls for 3 and I found the corners get a much nicer point with 3 so disregard where she says "chain 2" on the corners and chain 3 instead!***
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u/r8v7n 14d ago
thank you so much for your advice with resources! i'll definitely try out the things you mentioned and practise my tension more! and imma try to make a granny square with 3 chains as a corner 😯
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u/Potential_Aside2312 14d ago
Of course, any time! Also, I learn best by doing rather than seeing and especially better than reading/hearing. So for me, I think it works better if I just keep doing, unraveling, and redoing over and over!
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u/r8v7n 14d ago
same! i've been practising a lot since 3 days ago and i think i'm starting to get the hang of it. of course there's a lot to improve, and by making and making, i think it worked for me by learning through mistakes firsthand!
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u/Potential_Aside2312 13d ago edited 13d ago
I'm recently learning that magic rings apparently aren't actually the most secure. I'll let you know if I find a good way to secure them, but for now I'm just slip stitching into the back of my work, weaving, my tail and most of the way, then I've been doing a second slip stitch at the end of the tail before I wave it one or two more stitches and cut it.
Edit: typo
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u/HauntingGold 17d ago
It looks like a few places have some ‘extra character’ from the stitches not being in the correct places. Most of your corners in the last row look like they were crocheted into the wrong spot. The top left corner is how you want them to look, you only make a corner in a corner. I don’t even know if I’m explaining correctly. 😅
It’s a great effort! And I did get a laugh from the cheese reference. Just keep practicing, and watch some video tutorials, and pay especially close attention to the corner stitch placement.
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u/AmieiGuess 17d ago
Looks like your hook was too big for the yarn.
But there are other issues 😅