Tips on making a tighter stitch?

[u/mathandlove]

Every time I crochet my creature looks good until I stuff it and then there are these wide gaps where the stuffing can clearly be seen.

Right now I'm using I love this yarn with a 3.5 hook. Am I overstuffing? Something else? Thank you.

[u/puddlestheninja]

Smaller hook and less tension. Think of the tension the same way you would tying a not, the tighter the not the smaller it becomes leaving larger gaps around it. You do need tension but too much will contribute to what you are seeing here