Non-starter, the gravity increased?

[richardj]

I recently bought a simple brewing kit for my friend who's expressed interest. I got her a small fermenting bucket and a Beers of the World '80 shilling ale' extract kit, since extract brewing's the only kind I've done too.
I went round and we cleaned and sanitised the bucket and equipment according to the sanitiser instructions (it was the no-rinse kind).
We did everything as I've usually done, added malt and water and let it cool to a certain temperature before adding the (rehydrated) yeast and stirring, and putting it under airlock. Nothing happened for a few days, so I went round to take a look. We measured the gravity and found it had increased! I've never seen that happen. I measured it before adding the yeast, that's the only difference.
We gave it a stir to encourage it, but still nothing's happened after a further few days. I think we'll probably write it off and start again, but I'm confused as to what could have caused the gravity to increase. Any help?

 

[flars]

The increase in specific gravity was most likely due to an error with the initial measurement. It can be difficult to completely mix the extract and water unless you have done a full boil. The first specific gravity sample was probably from part of the wort with less extract.

Measurement error can also be due to the temperature of the sample. A sample warmer than the calibration temperature of the hydrometer will show a specific gravity lower than the same sample at the calibration temperature.

Give the beer some more time. It is hard to kill the yeast unless it was heated to over 120°F.

 

[jan_b19]

At what temperature did you measure the gravity the first time? are you sure there are no small bubbles lifting the hydrometer up a bit? By how much did it increase?
Did you mix the top up water, if yes for how long? If you didn't the lighter water would just sit on top or you would have more water than beer in your sample and give you a incorrect gravity reading.