My blanket pattern is migrating/crooked

[marvelousmarves]

I am feeling so, so defeated, so I'm hoping one of y'all can help!

I am making this blanket where the pattern should stack perfectly as you make each row - it's not offset in the slightest. I am counting every stitch, recounting as I finish a row to make sure I didn't miss anything, and no matter what I do, my pattern is migrating, making one side (always the same side) start to drift off to the side.

This is a picture from when I first spotted the issue (ignore my known blip at the bottom right) - you can see that the left side is perfectly straight, and the right side is wonky: https://imgur.com/a/TjEjd9B (first pic)

I have since restarted with different yarn, and I'm seeing the same thing (the first few straight rows were done by my roommate): https://imgur.com/a/TjEjd9B (second pic)

I have tried everything it seems, and my roommate (who made the same blanket) has been helping me and didn't have any issues herself! Any sage advice?

[magiccrochetfan]

Hi and welcome to the ville 

I can't see much of the pink blanket but what i see looks ok to me . (I would have a very hard time counting and identifying stitches in the fuzzy pink yarn.)

on the brown one i do see that a few rows are getting wider on one side. I have had similar problems with things getting out of shape on one side only.  its hard to understand why but i guess i don't do exactly the same thing on both edges, though it seems to me like I do.  

What specific pattern are you using?  

before you give up on the brown one I would launder it and see if that helps it.  I assume it is acrylic, and sometimes washing and machine drying can help the stitches settle into place.  just cut the yarn, secure the yarn end , and throw it in the washer and dryer.  

[marvelousmarves]

10 minutes ago, magiccrochetfan said:

Hi and welcome to the ville 

I can't see much of the pink blanket but what i see looks ok to me . (I would have a very hard time counting and identifying stitches in the fuzzy pink yarn.)

on the brown one i do see that a few rows are getting wider on one side. I have had similar problems with things getting out of shape on one side only.  its hard to understand why but i guess i don't do exactly the same thing on both edges, though it seems to me like I do.  

What specific pattern are you using?  

before you give up on the brown one I would launder it and see if that helps it.  I assume it is acrylic, and sometimes washing and machine drying can help the stitches settle into place.  just cut the yarn, secure the yarn end , and throw it in the washer and dryer.  

Thank you for your thoughts! Sorry I wasn't more clear, but the stitch counters are on the pink blanket to show where the middle SHOULD be - near the top, after the rows done by my roommate, you can see it's started to veer off to the right. Also with the pink one, I am 100% sure there are the right # of stitches in each rows, and my tension is the same - I wasn't as careful counting the blue/white/gray, which is why I gave up and started over for now after getting so frustrated, haha. Ack, I'm going mad!

Edited April 18, 2020 by marvelousmarves

[Granny Square]

Ripples are deceptive; they are easy in theory but aggravating (that word needs to be a LOT stronger) in real life.  They are not mindless, you have to count.every.stitch.  And I agree with Magiccrochet that yarn isn't helping.

If I felt the urge to make another ripple I'd pick one that had more visual cues to keep it more goof-proof, like a granny-style or one that had a lacy look for example.  

http://verypink.com/2013/10/16/crochet-for-knitters-granny-ripple-blanket/  shallow ripple

https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/granny-ripple-afghan-2  deeper ripple

https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/ripple-afghan-5495  lacy, not strictly granny

That bulky fuzzy pink yarn would work well with a simple woven stitch https://crochetncreate.com/free-crochet-stitch-tutorial-woven-stitch/

[ReniC]

Magiccrochetfan and Granny Square couldn't have said it better.

To add just one more tip, the stiches after turning each row can make a huge difference if the number and placement of stitches are not followed precisely. The first time I made a Ripple, I had to frog it 3 times for the same reason.

Not knowing what pattern you are following, maybe this pattern would make it a bit easier to follow. I've made it twice and never had a problem. I hope our suggestions set you on a easier path and I look forward to seeing your progress.