The foundation chain is the base of almost every crochet project: it is the starting row your first round of stitches is worked into. In this video you’ll learn how to work it step by step, how to keep an even tension and how to count your chains without losing track.
How to crochet a chain, step by step
- Start with a slip knot. Place it on the hook without tightening it.
- Yarn over. Take the yarn over the hook, from back to front.
- Pull it through the loop. That is one chain.
- Repeat. Every yarn over pulled through the loop adds one more chain.
- Count on the front. Each chain looks like a “V”; the loop on the hook is never counted.
Common mistakes
- Chaining too tightly. The most common problem: the hook then won’t fit into the chain on the first row. Work the chain with a hook half a size larger.
- Counting the loop on the hook. It doesn’t count — the usual reason for ending up one stitch over.
- A twisted chain. Keep the face of the “V”s turned towards you as you work.
Frequently asked questions
Where do I insert the hook on the first row?
Most commonly under the top loop of each “V”. Going under both loops gives a firmer edge; the back loop only gives a stretchier one.
How many chains do I need?
As many as the pattern says, plus the turning chains for the stitch you’re using: one for single crochet and three for double crochet.
Why is my first row shorter than the chain?
Because the chain stretches as you work into it. That is normal — if the difference is large, the chain was too loose.
What we used in the video
Crochet Crush yarn by The Woolcatcher. Browse the full natural yarn collection.
