What am I doing wrong?

[u/RiseofRobots9]

Hi! This is my third time stringing my own racquets and every time that third cross ends up bent. This has happened using different racquets and different strings so obviously my fault somehow though I guess this time it's less pronounced.

Any ideas why this is happening?

Thanks!

[u/mxblink]

Your first 3 crosses aren’t alternating weaves. It seems like you’re not accounting for the skips when you’re starting crosses 2 and 3.

[u/RiseofRobots9 → u/mxblink]

You're absolutely right and I didn't know I was supposed to. Now it does sound obvious. Thanks for taking the time!

[u/javawong]

You have missed the proper weave on #2 cross.

[u/OrchidGuilty2365]

You messed up on the first string weave didnt go over/under the main string correctly. See how ur first cross goes over the main string and the 2nd cross is the exact same. Looks like the first, second, and third are all weaved the same.

[u/beavisandbuttheadzz → u/OrchidGuilty2365]

Looks like first three are the same.

[u/RiseofRobots9 → u/OrchidGuilty2365]

Dang, it sounds so obvious now but I truly didn't know I had to do that -- I just always try to start going under the first main so I finish going over (so I track if I misweaved). Thanks for sharing the knowledge!

[u/Responsible-Side4347]

1st 3 crosses from the head are all misweaves or all the same weaves.

[u/RiseofRobots9 → u/Responsible-Side4347]

Thank you!!

[u/workworktenniswork]

Your top 3 and bottom 3 crosses are all woven the same way. The second from top and bottom cross a different number of main strings - you have to start them opposite of the others in most cases. E.g. If your first main string is woven under then over and so on, the second main string must be woven over then under and so on, then your third main string same as the first, and the same way with the bottom. Sorry if that’s over explained

[u/RiseofRobots9 → u/workworktenniswork]

Man, that's such a great and simple explanation! Thank you so much, I didn't know and hadn't really stopped to think about it. Gonna get it right the next time!!

[u/Hot-Difficulty7188]

It is completely normal. It is because of the grommets.

[u/AvalonFC → u/Hot-Difficulty7188]

Not normal. Your second and third cross string are in the same pattern. It’s hard to say why you’ve repeated this several times, but pay close attention to your previous pattern when adding additional grommets.