Crochet: The Chain Stitch

Chain Stitch
(abbreviation: ch)
Chain stitch is the beginning stitch and foundation chain in crochet. Nearly all pieces of crochet start with a length of chain stitches.

Place a slip knot on the crochet hook. If you are unfamiliar with how to make a slip knot, see making a slip knot under beginning techniques.

Hold the bottom of the slip knot between the thumb and middle finger of your left hand.

Bring the working yarn (yarn coming from yarn ball) around the hook starting from the back of the shaft of the hook, down and around the front ending at the back of the hook shaft (see picture). Draw this new yarn loop through the loop of the slip knot. You now have made one chain stitch and one loop remains on the hook.

Continue making chain stitches in the same manner. Keep your left thumb and middle finger close to the hook while you work by continually moving your grasp up the chain as the chain lengthens. This will help you attain an even tension and guage. Even crochet is very important! Your yarn tension affects guage which determines the dimensions (length and width) of the finished piece.

To determine the number of stiches in your foundation row of chain stitch, count the number of stitches in the chain as illustrated in the picture. Do not include the loop on the hook when counting stitches!

After you have completed your foundation row, you are now ready to try slip stitch, single crochet, half double crochet, double crochet or triple crochet!

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