dc Turning chain - ch2 or ch3?

[ErinG]

I think most patterns I've come across use a Ch3 turning chain for a dc row, but the afghan I just started (Drunkard's Path from a Lion Brand booklet) uses Ch2. Shelly (InsureChick) has posted about this pattern before (see thread), and I'm having the same issue she did - the squares come out rather diamond/squashed shaped with the ch2 turning chain edges feeling rather short/tight. I'm trying one block with a ch3 turn instead, and it's looking more more square. Anyone have any idea why LionBrand might have chosen ch2 instead? I emailed their support and they assured me the pattern was correct. Is it possible the Ch2 makes for a tighter seam in the long run?

[crochetsal]

I've come across a couple of patterns that use ch2 as the dc turning chain, but I always use ch3.

Does the pattern count the ch2 AS the dc? I've also seen ch2 done, then you start by dc-ing in the same stitch.

You'll have to let us know how it works subbing the ch3 for the ch2!

Sally

[ErinG]

The pattern counts the ch2 turn as a dc, and then adds a dc into the last stitch of the previous row - it's like counting the ch2 as one of two dc made in the same dc.

 

For example:

Row 5: Ch 2, dc in first stitch, (3 dc, 2 dc in next st) twice, 3dc - 15dc

[nightowl]

Hi ErinG

 

It might be just that the designer chained more loosely than you do

 

If you find the ch-3 turn makes a better shape, then I'd use that. I don't think you'd want a really tight seam between the blocks for a blanket and if it's making the sides so tight that it's distorting the square, something is definitely not right.

 

Smiles,

[Miztiki]

I've only been doing granny squares for a few days but I'm finding that I'm the opposite of you. If I ch3 like they say then it just doesn't look right. I'm making the same square as I did yesterday but using ch2 this time, so we'll see.

 

I've also found that I need to reduce the number of stitches called for in the foundation ring or my ring will be too big. I chain a bit on the loose side so that's probably why I need to reduce and not increase.

[Yearnin' for Yarn]

A DC turning chain is supposed to be a chain 3, but some people do a ch 2 because they prefer the way it looks.

 

Nicole

[lhasaapsolady]

I always use a ch 3 for turning ch if the row is dc, no matter what the pattern says.

[ErinG]

Ok, I'm fairly certain now that I'm going to use the ch3, despite what the pattern calls for. Thanks for the support, everyone - it's good to know that I'm not crazy for thinking I should change it

[fiberwench]

Turn your work, and without making any chains, single crochet (or if you're UK, then double crochet) in the first stitch, and then chain 2. The sc ch 2, functions as a much more attractive turning ch3. Hope that helps someone!

[NexStitch]

I'm a ch 3 fan, here.

[ErinG]

Ok, so I continued on with the ch3 since at the start of the square it was looking great, but it turned out to be a failed experiment. If I use ch3 for the whole thing, it ends up looking stretched/fanned out funny in the opposite direction compared to the squashed ch2-squares. So then I decided to try using the ch3 for the first half (the quarter circle) and ch2 for the rest. This produced a square square, like what I wanted, but when I was done I noticed that the ch3's make the quarter circle rather sloppy looking compared to the ch2. It's a flatter arc than what is intended. SO, basically, I figured out that the original pattern needs the ch2 for the quarter circle to look right.

 

So the question then was what to do...have a square square, or a sloppy circle. What I think I'm going to do is just make the pattern as written, making sure I keep my ch2s a little on the looser side than my usual, and then if I have to block the squares before I stitch them together.

 

Who knew that one little chain could make such a difference??

[sherryzzz]

I'm a fan of the sc, ch 2 method myself.