How to Start a Crochet Chain
Learn how to start a crochet chain using our detailed step-by-step photo and video tutorials! Making a chain is an important crochet basic to master, since it’s how most crochet projects are started.
This first row of chains is called a foundation row, or beginning chains. Thankfully chain stitches are very easy to do, and you’ll be ready to make a beautiful project of your own in no time at all. Let’s get started!
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How to Start a Crochet Chain
Materials:
- Worsted weight yarn(or other yarn type)
Equipment:
- Crochet hook
Check Out The Video Tutorial:
Instructions:
- Begin by making a slip knot and tightening it on your crochet hook.
- Hold the slip knot in place with your non-dominant hand while also holding the working yarn (the part attached to the ball).Wrap the working yarn around your hook. This is called a yarn over.
- Begin guiding the working yarn (that you just wrapped around your hook) down towards loop of the slip knot.
- Pull the yarn through the loop on your hook.
- Continue until you’ve pulled the yarn all the way through the slip knot.The slip knot should now be off your hook, with a new loop formed. This is your first chain!
- Your chain stitch is now complete.
- Repeat these steps for however many chains your pattern requires.Counting your stitches is important when creating a chain, since it ensures your project will start off right. You can easily count the chains by counting the number of “V”s you see.
Helpful Tips:
- Practice making chains until your stitches are even. Read more about this below!
- Chain is abbreviated in patterns as “ch” or “CH”. You’ll also see “chs”, representing the plural.
What is a crochet chain?
A crochet chain is the most basic stitch in crochet and, as mentioned, is the starting point for most crochet projects. Essentially a chain is made by yarning over and pulling the working yarn through the loop on your hook.
This action causes the previous loop to come off of the hook. Then a new loop is formed from the working yarn, and the old loop creates the chain hanging from your hook.
Eventually this process forms a length of interconnected loops that look like a chain. Once this series of chains is made, other crochet stitches (like a single crochet or double crochet) can be worked into them.
How can I keep crochet chains even?
Keeping crochet chains even can be a bit tricky at first. In the beginning your work might have some stitches that are loose and some that are tight, but don’t get discouraged!
As it is with any other skill, practice makes perfect! By keeping a few simple things in mind, you’ll soon be able to achieve a consistent and neat chain.
Keeping a consistent tension is one of the most important things for creating even chains. Moving your fingers up towards the hook as you make your chains will help with this. Keep reading below for more information on tension.
Holding your yarn comfortably, in a way that works best for you, will also result in more even chains. You can also try using a different hook size. If your chains are too tight, use a crochet hook that’s one size larger just for the chain.
And most importantly, especially as a beginner, slow down! Making a chain is really easy to do quickly, but if you take your time and focus you can easily make the chains more uniform in size.
What is tension and why is it important when making a crochet chain?
Tension in crochet refers to how tightly or loosely you hold and work with the yarn while creating stitches. It’s a combination of how much pressure you apply when pulling the yarn through the loops and how tightly you grip the yarn and the hook.
Proper tension ensures that each loop in your crochet chain is the same size. Uneven tension will create a chain with loops of different sizes. This looks messy and makes it harder to work with when you’re adding your stitches.
A proper tension will give you a chain that’s easy to work into. Too tight tension will make a stiff chain that’s difficult to get your hook through. On the other hand, a chain that’s too loose means the chain is floppy and harder to control, resulting in uneven stitches.
And, as you get further into your project, the tension will affect the gauge. In other words, whether the finished project is smaller or larger than intended.
Finally, proper tension creates a polished final product. By understanding and controlling tension, you can create even, beautiful crochet chains and stitches, setting a solid foundation for the rest of your project. And it all starts with the chain!
Chain stitches are the foundation for the rest of your crochet project, and you’ll also use them in-between stitches or at the beginning or ends of rows. It’s important to learn how to chain crochet right, since these chains help you build the right shape for your project!
Here’s even more crochet ideas:
Easy Crochet Lavender
Crochet Scrunchie
Crochet Hat
Our book Low-Mess Crafts for Kids is loaded with 72 fun and simple craft ideas for kids! The projects are fun, easy and most importantly low-mess, so the clean up is simple!
Where to buy:
You can purchase Low-Mess Crafts for Kids from Amazon, or wherever books are sold:
Amazon | Barnes and Noble | Books-A-Million | Indiebound | Amazon Canada