Question about 'fun furs'

Last year I crocheted scarves with eyelash yarn combined with knitting worsted;
when I used a large hook (I think it was N or P), after wearing they stretched
quite a bit (they got thinner and longer). They were crocheted 'the normal
way', for example 20 stitches until I got the desired length. I did them in sc
throughout.

This year I picked up some more fun furs and most of the pattern directions for
scarves call for knitting them 'sideways' (for example 110 stitches for 6
rows). I don't like doing them this way; I like the other way where I am able
to decide when it's long enough, and time to end it; doing it sideways you
lose that option

The question: How do I prevent the stretching?: is there a stitch other than sc
to use; would a smaller hook make a difference?
Rusty from CT
^(-.-)^
Dusty the Shi-Poo

Correcting my post - I said 'knitting' where I meant 'crochet'. Sorry
Rusty from CT
^(-.-)^
Dusty the Shi-Poo

Last year I crocheted scarves with eyelash yarn combined with knitting
worsted;
when I used a large hook (I think it was N or P), after wearing they
stretched
quite a bit (they got thinner and longer). They were crocheted 'the normal
way', for example 20 stitches until I got the desired length. I did them
in sc
throughout.

This year I picked up some more fun furs and most of the pattern
directions for
scarves call for knitting them 'sideways' (for example 110 stitches for 6
rows). I don't like doing them this way; I like the other way where I am
able
to decide when it's long enough, and time to end it; doing it sideways
you
lose that option

The question: How do I prevent the stretching?: is there a stitch other
than sc
to use; would a smaller hook make a difference?
Rusty from CT
^(-.-)^
Dusty the Shi-Poo


Rusty, answer your own question by taking a piece of crochet and tugging it
gently. You will notice there is more "stretch" when you tug vertically
than horizontally. Over a period of time, gravity took effect, and the
scarf grew. Crocheting sidewise gives support to the weight of the fabric.

DA

In article , DA wrote:

Last year I crocheted scarves with eyelash yarn combined with knitting
worsted; when I used a large hook (I think it was N or P), after
wearing they stretched quite a bit (they got thinner and longer).
They were crocheted 'the normal way', for example 20 stitches
until I got the desired length. I did them in sc throughout.

This year I picked up some more fun furs and most of the pattern
directions for scarves call for crocheting them 'sideways' (for
example 110 stitches for 6 rows). I don't like doing them this way;
I like the other way where I am able to decide when it's long
enough, and time to end it; doing it sideways you lose that option

The question: How do I prevent the stretching?: is there a stitch other
than sc to use; would a smaller hook make a difference?

Rusty, answer your own question by taking a piece of crochet and tugging
it gently. You will notice there is more "stretch" when you tug
vertically than horizontally. Over a period of time, gravity took
effect, and the scarf grew. Crocheting sidewise gives support to the
weight of the fabric.

Maybe you could use that as a design element. Do ends about six inches
long that are done sideways, and then start on one end and crochet the
scarf _almost_ as long as you want it to be, then attach it to the other
"end". Let stretch take care of the length, maybe make it a little wider
than you originally did.
Or put the widthways part in the middle and then crochet in both
directions for length. That way the middle stays wide and the ends, where
it doesn't matter, can be skinny.

=Tamar

DA and Tamar, thanks for your help. Now I understand why the patterns want you
to do them sideways. Combining the two methods is a wonderful idea !

I've done one sideways and it's now quite long enough; I think I'll add to
both ends the normal way, like you suggested.

Thanks to both of you.


Rusty from CT
^(-.-)^
Dusty the Shi-Poo