How to Crochet a Simple Chain

You see a beautiful crocheted afghan that you would love to have, but you don't know how to crochet. Knowing is half the battle. You will learn how to make a simple chain, which is the basis of most crochet patterns. When you are finished, you will want to begin learning how to crochet other stitches.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Crochet hook (size C or D)
• Skein of yarn
• Scissors or snips

1. Begin by sitting in a well-lighted area. This should be an area where you can comfortably sit with both feet on the floor and your yarn lying beside you. Find the end of your yarn and pull it from the center of the skein. This is what you will begin with.

2. 
    
   Tie yarn onto the crochet hook

   Grasp the end of the yarn between your thumb and pointer finger. Tie the yarn onto the crochet hook as if you are tying a knot.

3. 
    
   Yarn placement on fingers

   Place your hook through the loop with your right hand and then pull the knot tight. Your hook should be turned up toward the ceiling. Leaving the hook in the loop of the yarn, wrap the yarn around your pinkie finger. Slide your pinkie finger back slightly until there is about 3 inches of yarn between your left hand and the hook. Now lay the yarn over your index finger. Pull your left hand back until there is 3 inches between your index finger and the yarn.

4. 
    
   Loop over the hook.

   Grasp the tail of the loop you created and with your second finger and thumb pull until it is slightly taut. Hook the yarn from underneath and turn the hook down toward the floor. Pull the yarn through the loop on your hook.

5. 
    
   Your chain should look similar to this.

   Continue looping the yarn over the hook and pulling it through the loop on your hook until all stitches look even in size. Your chain should look similar to the one shown.

Tips & Warnings

• Left-handed persons should hold the hook in their left hand, wrap the yarn around their pinkie on the right hand and hook the yarn from their right hand pointer finger.
• As your chain gets longer, release the tail and grasp the chain closer to the hook.
• Your stitches will naturally get more uniform and you will get faster with practice.
• If it is uncomfortable to wrap the yarn around your pinkie, simply hold it with your pinkie between the pinkie and the ball of your hand.
• The higher the alphabet, the smaller the hook so choose a hook that is comfortable for you to use until you are accustomed to crocheting.