The chain stitch is one of the basic stitches of crochet. You can make a crochet chain with any crochet hook (single-ended, double-ended or Afghan/ Tunisian hook that comes with interchangeable cables) in your craft collection. A crochet chain is an equivalent of cast-on in knitting. Most crochet patterns start with a chain. Almost all crochet stitches require a chain stitch to work into. Extra chain stitches are always required for turning the row or round.
In this, let’s walk you through the basic crochet chain stitch. With this, you can step into the creative world of crocheting. Make sure to read our beginner’s guide to crochet hooks before getting started.
What is a Chain in Crochet?
The chain is generally the first crochet stitch a beginner learns. It’s easy to make, but it does take practice in order to work consistently.
Instructions
Step 1: First, make a slip knot on your crochet hook. Hold the knot between the thumb and middle fingers of your left hand (if you are a right-handed crocheter, for left-handed crocheters the dominant hand changes). Arrange the slip knot to face you and hold the working yarn (the strand coming from the ball/ skein or hank) flow over your index finger and across your palm. Let the yarn flow across your hands determines your tension. Always make sure the yarn should flow easily through your hands as you make stitches and pull more yarn from the ball. You can choose the hold the crochet hook using a pencil grip or knife grip, whatever feels most comfortable.
Step 2: Yarn Over the Hook
Loop the working yarn over the crochet hook from back to front. Make sure the crochet hook is facing upward so that the yarn stays hooked. You will be rotating the crochet hook to make chain stitches, so grip the hook in a way to move easily.
Wrap the yarn over the crochet hook from behind and then over the top. This is called "yarn round hook" or "yarn over."
Step 3: Draw Through a Loop
Rotate your crochet hook and loop the yarn to prepare for hooking it. Pull the hook down and through the current loop on the hook.
As you just finish drawing the yarn through, bring the crochet hook back to its original position.
Step 4: Making a Chain
With this, you have completed one chain stitch.
To make another chain stitch, simply yarn over the crochet hook and draw up a loop. Repeat this as many times as mentioned in a crochet pattern or how long you want the chain to be. You can also practice crocheting in rounds with chain stitches. After you make a crochet chain, join them together with a slip stitch.
As you crochet the chain, move your thumb and index fingers, staying just a stitch or two away from the loop on the hook to help you have more control and better tension: not too tight, not too loose.
As you work, you'll find a rhythm in rotating the crochet hook and then rotating it back. If you have just started with crochet, you will need practice.
Tips for Crocheting the Perfect Starting Chain
A perfect crochet chain is a start to neat crochet projects. Go through these 5 tips that assist with neat crochet chain stitches.
- Try to make each chain the same size. This can be practiced with the tension and flow of your crochet hook.
- The chain is the smallest stitch in crochet. It makes the tightest of the crocheted fabric. To make the chain a similar size as the other stitches, try a crochet hook size larger than what you’ll use for the rest of the project.
- The slip knot is not counted as the first chain stitch in the crochet pattern. Also, the loop on the hook is also not counted when a pattern design talks about chain stitches.
- Keep in mind to not let the starting chain twist when working the first row. You need to keep an eye.
- When you work a stitch in the chain it will cause the loops to stretch a bit while the next loops shrink a little. So keep track of the chains and the stitches you are working on.
- If you have a mistake in the first row of the crochet project, just after the chain stitches. Rip out the stitches and also the chain. Your chain becomes frumpy making it very difficult to work stitches into.
Crochet chain stitches are not only used at the beginning of a project but also in the middle to make lace or buttonholes. They are also used in stitch combinations such as shells, filets, pineapple and other intricate patterns. Once you’ve mastered the beautiful crochet chain, you’ll not only have a fabulous-looking edge but also have the skill to make more advanced crochet stitches.
The trick is to practice. When you begin with projects you can refer to our blog on what crochet hook to use with what yarn. Have fun with chain stitches for making blankets, scarves and pretty much anything.
