How to Crochet a Chain Stitch

The chain stitch is the very first thing to do in every piece of crochet. With a chain stitch, you make a foundation chain that looks like a lot of V’s all in a row.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Crochet Hook (Size G, H, or I)
• Worsted Weight Yarn

1. 
   The chain stitch starts with a slip knot that isn't fully tightened.

   First, you need to make a slip knot. The knot needs to be a few inches away from the end of your yarn – the “left-over” is called a tail. Start the slip knot the same way you would make any kind of knot, but don’t tighten it. Leave a hole for your hook to go through.

2. 
   The "hook" will snag yarn and pull it through the hole left in your slip knot.

   Put your crochet hook through the hole, and use the pointed “hook” to grab some yarn and pull it up through the same hole. Make sure you're grabbing the yarn closest to your ball - not from the "tail".

3. 
   Once you have yarn pulled through the hole, tighten the slip knot.

   Now, tighten the slip knot on your hook. It should be snug, but not too tight. You should be able to slide the crochet hook back and forth without pushing or pulling the yarn that’s on your hook.

4. 
   Pull another bit of yarn through the loop on your hook. One chain is made, and a new loop is on your hook.

   Move your hook in a half-circle, snagging the yarn closest to the ball with the hook. The yarn will go over the top of your hook, and you can pull it through the loop already on your hook. One chain stitch is made and one loop stays on the hook.

5. Continue making chain stitches, always passing through the loop that is on your hook. One loop will stay on as the old one turns into a chain that falls below your hook. As you work, hold the chain between the middle finger and thumb of your other hand. You will always keep your other hand close to the hook

6. Practice the chain stitch until your chains look like little v’s that are the same size – both how high and how wide they are. While you practice, try using a different size crochet hook. It’s surprising to see how much of a difference the size of crochet hook you use makes to the size of your chain stitches.

7. 
   Count the number of chains beginning with the loop just below your hook. Never count the loop on your hook.

   As your chain stitches start looking even, practice counting the number of chains. When you count the number of chains in a foundation row, you do not include the loop that is on your hook. Only count the loops below your hook.

8. You can safely pat yourself on the back once you get your chain going. It probably won’t be beautiful at first, but it will be yours and it’s the first step in learning to work on a crochet pattern.
   
   Speaking of crochet patterns, here’s how it will look in one:
   
   With G hook, ch 49.
   
   What does this mean? Pretty easy – it means that (in this pattern) you’ll use a size G crochet hook and start your pattern by chaining 49 stitches.

Tips & Warnings

• Make sure that you aren’t making your chains too tight. You should be able to poke your hook through one of the chains without having to push.
• Don’t let yourself get too frustrated. Making a chain is actually the hardest part of learning to crochet. It takes a lot of time to learn how to do anything new – but just think of all the really cool things you’ll be able to make once you have it figured out!
• If your yarn tries to break while you’re making a chain, your chains are too tight. Remember that a chain doesn’t look like a rope, but like a set of steel chains that are linked together with open “holes” in the middle of each link.

Resources

• Learn - Teach - Inspire ... Crochet

[Erika]

on 11/1/2007 Thanks for including the great images - makes it so much easier to understand with them!