basic questions

[crochetmum]

I have the following really basic questions. Thanks for your input.

1. Don't all skeins have the yarn coming out the skein from one end? In some skein it flows freely from one end. In some skeins it's just wound around the skein and it's kinda hard to feed the yarn to the hook. I have to roll the skein and it gets stuck under a chair or something. Is there an easy way to "find" the yarn end that's easy to pull? Or some skeins just don't have that free flow end?

2. Once the foundation chain is complete, if the pattern asks to start making double crochet in the "3rd chain" from the hook, is it really the 4th chain if you count the chain that has the hook in? Or is it 3rd chain counting the hook?

3. Once you crocheted a row of double crochet, chain 3 and turn, do you skip first DC and make a DC in the next one? or do you make a DC from the first DC and each one after that? I hope I'm asking this right.

4. My first line of DC or TC or SC always makes a curve. Any suggestions on avoiding that?

Thank you.

[Carol Ann]

1.  The "pull" skeins  are the most common of the various forms you will find when purchasing yarn.  Some do pull freely from one end but just as often you will get a skein where you can't a tail of yarn to pull from either end.  Very frustrating.  There is a way to find the end deeper in the center of the skein in those cases.  With one hand grasp the skein firmly about mid way and stick your thumb and forefinger (other hand) into the end of the skein a few inches.  Kind of wiggle that gob of yarn in your fingers and pull gently toward the end of the skein.  Often that will loosen the tail you are searching for and it will pull right out.  Unfortunately, the tails...when factory wrapped...get in a knot inside the skein and you have to pull the whole center of the skein out of the end to undo the mess.  Sometimes, also, both end tails get wrapped up inside the skein and can get tangled.  It can be a matter of nothing more than pure luck if you get alot of skeins that are easy to locate the end and that pull easily.  Sometimes I get a skein that is such a tangled wrapped mess that I ball it.  I had to do that with all of the Lion Brand Homespun skeins I used.  When you get an end that is wound around the skein that is normally the END of the skein and is the tail that is left on the outside.  Don't use that end.  Try the above method to locate the tail to pull that is supposed to be coming from the center.  At least you know where that other end is when you see it on the outside of the skein and know it won't be lost and tangled up inside.

2.  Do not count the chain / loop that is already on the hook when counting chains or stitches to the point where you insert the hook to make the next stitch.  Remember it says FROM THE HOOK.  That means do not count the loop on the hook.

3. The chain 3 normally counts as the first DC of the next row.  So you would go on to the next DC of the previous row to start a DC.  HOWEVER, always be sure to read all info given in a pattern because you never know when a designer will depart from the norm.

4.That is normal for a first row of stitches on a foundation chain to curve slightly.  As long as you make sure you are keeping your ends even and counting your stitches, turning and starting the next rows in the correct spot, etc. then after a few rows the work will straighten out and lay flat.

5.  I hope this helps!    

[Buttercup]

Carol Ann has answered you perfectly.
The only thing I would add, is to count count count!
Count your stitches at the end of each row so any mistakes are caught early.

[LaraKN]

Carol Ann covered most of it.  One thing I thought might help:

#3 see my post in http://www.crochethappyforum.com/forum/index.php?topic=14546.0

#4, mine usually isn't a "curve" it is a full fledged "twist", but a couple more rows usually straightens it out to lay flat.

Good luck.

[tweed]

I have a tip for those skeins that just WONT give up the center pull..........I put them in a big stock pot that I bought for near nothing at the Dollar store. You can work away as your ball of yarn bounces around inside the pot without collecting dust bunnies, crumbs or pet hair from the floor. I have all of these hazards in my home. It also makes great storeage for you WIP.

[Buttercup]

I have a tip for those skeins that just WONT give up the center pull..........I put them in a big stock pot that I bought for near nothing at the Dollar store. You can work away as your ball of yarn bounces around inside the pot without collecting dust bunnies, crumbs or pet hair from the floor. I have all of these hazards in my home. It also makes great storeage for you WIP.

Love that!!