I've been trying to learn to crochet from a book I got, and the problem I'm having is that I make my stiches way too tight, esp. on my starting chain, so that when I try to get the crochet hook through the loops later, I have to *force* it through. I learned to hold my yarn correctly and that helped a little, but my stiches are still way too tight. Any advice?

-Amelia

I did this, too, when I first learned to crochet... I think I was too tense (as I usually am when I'm being taught something for the first time). Eventually I got to the point that I could hold the yarn and the hook more loosely, thereby creating looser stitches. It just takes time. In the meantime, try to avoid a tight grip on the yarn and hook... that will help.

Good luck. Crocheting rocks.

Jess

Try wrapping the feed strand (that is, the yarn you're using to make new stitches) around your pinky. That keeps it taut without making it too ight (otherwise your pinky would turn purple!)

--lynda

I just posted about this a couple days ago. I'll bump up the thread, because there was some great advice.