Hi Chris, it sounds like your dough was a bit too wet, which will definitely make shaping more difficult, and without the structure of a well-shaped loaf, rising will also be more difficult. I think it might be helpful for you to try a different recipe. This Artisan Sourdough Bread recipe is linked to a series of three blog posts that will guide you through the whole process, with lots of great tips along the way. Barb

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