Crochet Curly Cue Sampler - How to Choose the Best Curl (2024)

by ChiWei | Crochet, Tutorials

As you may or may not have noticed, I’ve been on a bit of a blog break lately. Mostly because I traveled overseas with LM, and came back with a bad case of the jet lags. After that, it’s just taken me a while to get going again, but hopefully, I’ll find my groove in time for spring! Because yeah, I was hanging out on the hammock this afternoon, instead of being cooped inside a house watching it snow outside. Sunny California right?

This is a quickie post. I’ve gotten a few comment and questions about the crochet curly cues that make up my crochet unicorn’s tail, and to be honest, I had a bit of a hard time figuring out exactly how I wanted the tail to look. I didn’t really want super stubby curls but I didn’t want long stringy ones either.I realized what I needed was a curly cue sampler that I could reference next time I wanted a specific length and shape. So here it is!

I started out all of them by crocheting 23 chains. 23 you say? (Yup, I’m a sucker for prime numbers. I also like the number 47.)Then, you can choose to crochet 2, 3 or 4 stitches into each chain across the row before fastening off and completing the curly cue.

As you can see in the photos above and below, increasing the number of stitches in each chain tightens the curl. The type of stitch (single, half double, double) defines the curl’s overall width.

Here’s 3 curls in the following order: 2 single crochet in each chain across, 2 hdc in each chain across, 2 dc in each chain across. See how the curls are fairly loose, but the width of the curl is wider?

This set below is: 3 sc in each ch across, 3 hdc in each ch across and 3 dc in each ch across. The curlie cues are tighter than the ones above.

And following the same pattern, below is: 4 sc in each ch across, 4 hdc in each ch across, and 4 dc in each chain across. I found these to be a lot of fun – lots of tight curls!

I honestly don’t remember how long my 23 chains were, but the final curly cues are all in the 4 to 5 inch range, depending on how scrunched up you want them to be.For the unicorn tail, I think I used a combination of “3 hdc in each ch” and “4 sc in each ch”, starting with between 20 and 30 chains. I also ‘mussed’ up the curl a bit to give it a roly poly fat look, but that’s up to you.

I hope you find this reference helpful the next time you want to crochet up some curly cues, like for my Friendly Jellyfish!

30 Comments

Cheryl on March 9, 2015 at 9:54 AM
How’d you know I was looking for this…Thanks!!
susan nash on March 12, 2015 at 12:27 AM
You always post the best tips, this is one I’ll be sharing on my blog site, like I do many of your ideas – thx!
Linda on March 19, 2015 at 7:03 AM
This is such a big help. I also like crocheting these curlies (after realizing how much easier it is than knitting them!!). Now, this is a reference that I must save. THANKS for doing the work and sharing!
Deborah on March 23, 2015 at 1:46 AM
This is so funny! I was fooling around with some yarn a couple weeks ago and made a curly cue! The thing is that I don’t remember how I did it! Lol it’s so cute though and Ive been meaning to try to frog it to see what I did, but I haven’t had a chance to do so. All I can remember is that I started with one chain lol I’ve enjoyed reading about your curly cues though! Thank you so much for sharing!
Jenny on March 24, 2015 at 10:09 AM
See Also
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Wow, they look truly awesome, I tried to do the same, but it seems to be too hard for me, so I need more practice.
ChiWei on March 29, 2015 at 9:38 PM
So glad I can help! 🙂
ChiWei on March 29, 2015 at 9:41 PM
You’re welcome!
ChiWei on March 29, 2015 at 9:48 PM
Aww, thank you!
Sherri on April 25, 2015 at 12:07 PM
Thanks you so much for the unicorn pattern, I am in love!! My first stuffy and I have to say it was so well written and easy to follow. I just have one comment on the curly cues and that is to make sure to note NOT to go into the back bump. I always work my chains thru the back bump for a neater edge BUT they don’t curl either!! Ha Ha Lesson learned! Again, thank you!!
Sherri
ChiWei on April 29, 2015 at 9:13 PM
Oooh, I never thought of that! I may have to try that on my own, but thank you for sharing!
Loving Crochet Hands on July 18, 2015 at 11:04 AM
What an excellent guide two thumbs up thank you so much!
Loving Crochet Hands on July 18, 2015 at 11:06 AM
Did you use the same hook size for all of these and if so what hook size did you use? Thank you in advance.
Heidi Yates on July 21, 2015 at 4:11 AM
You’re a genius! Thank you
Patricia Seaton on July 21, 2015 at 9:29 AM
See Also
Quick Crochet with a Q Hook: 10 Free Patterns
Thank you so much for this post – it is very helpful!
ChiWei on August 1, 2015 at 6:52 AM
Yes, I used the same hook size. I think I used H hook, which is 5 mm.
Viv on July 10, 2016 at 11:00 PM
I have been making a curly cue with 3 hdc in each chain stitch. However, because you are “stuffing” so many stitches into each chain, the chain tightens as you go along. I find it a real struggle to get the hook into the next chain. Consequently the curly cue has taken ages to do. How do you combat this please?
ChiWei on July 27, 2016 at 8:50 AM
Hi Viv, I didn’t find my chains tightening, but if it’s happening to you, you can always make your chains looser and see if that helps.
KimE on August 6, 2016 at 2:01 PM
Hi, if you are sure to go under 2 strands of the chain when you make your stitches…this stops the pull on the rest of the chain.
Viv on August 6, 2016 at 10:01 PM
Yes I tried that and didn’t help much. Then I did the chain loosely with a 4.00mm hook and changed to a 3.50mm hook, when going back to do the curly cue. This helped more, but still became tight.
Viv on August 6, 2016 at 10:03 PM
Yes I was doing that and it still pulled tight. I wonder if someone could post a closeup picture or photo so that I can see exactly how it is done. TIA.
Joeina on March 11, 2017 at 7:29 AM
This is my go to guide for curly cues so much that I linked to it in an octopus pattern I wrote! I can’t not share the awesome!!
Here’s the link http://www.bitofaknit-wit.com/2017/03/10/octavia-the-octopus/
Marlise Harlow on April 5, 2017 at 4:05 AM
I am trying to make a simple strand curl. I crochet a chain, then slip stitch into each chain, but it is not curling. I have tried sl st only in the back loop and in both loops but it still won’t curl.
Do you know how to get it to curl with this technique? What am I missing?
Thank you,
Marlise
Megan on April 23, 2017 at 11:33 AM
Thanks for showing the differences and the commentary, much appreciated!!
KawaiiDrawer18 on October 5, 2018 at 1:19 AM
How did you do the curly tentacles of the jellyfish in your jellyfish tutorial? Thanks!
Vehicle Collection Forest Of Dean on December 6, 2018 at 7:50 PM
A fascinating discussoon is definitely worth comment.
I do think tthat you should publish more on this topic, it may not be a taboo subject but generally
folks don’t discuss these subjects. To the next! Cheers!!
Jo on October 10, 2020 at 12:48 PM
Thank you for examples…. especially the single crotchet as they are perfect for baby beanies I’m making to donate to hospitals….they are really cute and interesting for the children…again, thank you lots❣️
Kathleen M on January 17, 2021 at 1:08 PM
My eldest daughter wants a Davy Jones beard from the Pirates of the Caribbean movies…thank you so much. I’ll make the beard to be removable from her pony tail hat I knitted. Her husband has a popcorn beard for his beanie.
Aathi on February 23, 2021 at 3:23 AM
Thank you ❤️
That was helpful
Jen on June 1, 2021 at 10:14 PM
Thank you so much for this. I am excited to get started on some projects. ♥️
Danni on August 30, 2021 at 1:45 PM
Super useful comparison and explanation – thank you!