Are you using worsted cotton or acrylic? Worsted weight Sugar 'n Cream makes great coasters and they're more absorbent than acrylic. Use the "magic circle" instead of a beginning chain and you won't have a hole OR a bump. Or are you talking about where each row ends?

Yes, i was talking about where each row ends. what is a magic circle?

I am pretty sure it is acrylic. I will try a cotton that does sound like it would work nice.

Thanks for responding!

I guess it's really called the Magic Ring. I use this almost all of the time when crocheting a circle. You can make the "hole" in the center as small as you want, almost nonexistent.

Here is a link that might be useful: Magic Ring

You can use bulky or rug weight cotton if you want a heavier yarn, or you can crochet with 2 strands held together.

Thank you! I can't wait to try the magic ring....I will practice tonight...I can't get any cotton yarn until the weekend, dang!

Hey,Donna, that trick is neat! Wish I had known it before this. Thanks. Know of any other neat tricks you can share????

Okay, I tried it and I am all fumble fingers. Any tips? I can't seem to hold everything and get decent stitches at the same time.

Sherri, don't worry about holding the ring in any particular fashion. Just concentrate on your stitches. And it doesn't matter if you space them close together like you would have to in a chained ring. When you pull the thread to tighten the ring, they'll come together just fine.

Sheila Joyce, I hope I haven't crocheted for 44 years and NOT learned a trick or two. Of course, I still have much to learn. But if you have a specific question, I would be more than willing to help you. And if I don't know the answer I will count it as a challenge, because then I will learn something new, too!

Donna,
Thanks again, I thought you were just going to suggest to practice, practice, practice, but with your advice and making the ring just a bit smaller..It worked really well. Even where the rows connected looks better, so that part is probably just practice.

Sherri

You're right Sherri, everything gets better with practice. But a few short cuts and tips from your friends can't hurt either.

Just a thought: If you are still having trouble with the end of the row sticking out, it's possible you are actually crocheting in a stitch you shouldn't be. When crocheting in the round it often looks as if there is one last stitch or you'll have a space, but try skipping this "stitch" and see what happens. Try a pattern that tells you how many stitches you will have at the end of the row and count them as you go and you will see what I mean. Also, when doing increases in the round, try to avoid making them at the very end of the row.