How to Crochet: Chain (ch)
By Rachel Choi – 38 CommentsThis tutorial is for both right and left handed people. For left handed pictures, roll your mouse over the image and it will change for you.
Chain stitches are the foundation of everything that is crocheted. Learning how to crochet a chain stitch is really easy and is one of the first things that anyone learning to crochet should do. Simply follow the instructions below to learn how to crochet chain stitches.
Step 1: Always start by making a slip knot and place the knot on your hook.
Step 2: Yarn over (wrap the yarn over your hook).
Step 3: Pull the strand of yarn through the loop.
Congrats! You just made one chain! Continue to yarn over (yo) and pull the strand of yarn through the loop to create more chains, repeating steps 2 and 3. Here is what a series of chains look like.
If you decide to follow a crochet pattern, it will tell you how many chains to make. Note that you should always have at least one loop on your hook the whole time. From time to time you may have to count the number of chains you made. When you are counting the number of chains you made, do not count the chain on your hook.
Was this helpful? Do you still need more help? Leave a comment to let me know!
Rachel,
Thank’s for The Easy Rose Crochet Instructions, I’ve always Wanted to Know How To Do A Rose
Dottie In Va
Cool! I’m glad I could help Dottie!
[…] Below is a step by step tutorial that will slowly walk you through crocheting a few rows of Tunisian simple stitches. If you need help with any of the steps, don’t be afraid to ask by leaving a comment on this post! Step 1: Chain 10 (How to Crochet a Chain) […]
[…] Let’s start with a foundation chain like this. (How to Crochet a Chain) […]
This website rocks
[…] times crochet foundation chains are tighter than the rest of the work, but with fsc it will have the same tension without having to […]
[…] Use different hook sizes. Sometimes you may find that your foundation chain is much tighter than the rest of your work. Try using a larger sized hook for the foundation chain […]
[…] learned the basic foundation chain, single crochet and double crochet. At the time technique and making things look perfect […]
[…] are a few ways to crochet into your foundation chain. The most common way is to insert your hook under the top loop on the front of the chain. However, […]
That hint is so helpful.I taught myself how to crochet and I still wonder what the best way to hold the yarn with your left hand when you crochet
[…] by crocheting a foundation chain. If you are working with a pattern, it will tell you how long to make this chain. Work your […]
This is the best help that I could find in learning to do slip knot and chain!! I am so excited and thankful that you put this on the web! I will continue following your directions.
[…] to teach me to crochet after I saw one of my friends doing it. She taught me the basics, like the foundation chain, single crochet and double crochet (thanks mom!). According to her, I was really bad at making my […]
[…] Step 3: Yarn over and pull through. This creates an elongated chain stitch. […]
[…] Pattern: Basic Shell Edging Start by making a foundation chain as long as you want your edging. Your edging should fit snugly around the item you are creating it […]
Hi Rachel, I have a doubt about the turning chain.. I figured it was ch 1 for sc rows, ch 2 for hdc, ch 3 for dc and ch 4 for trebles… but i have come acorss patern that say ch 2 for dc rows… have I been doing this wrong?
Chitra, I’ve used both a ch 2 and a ch 3 for dc. It depends on the pattern.
Thanks a lot Rachel. I’m still a newbie crocheter, but I love to modify and create simple patterns. Do you have any any tips for me… general rules to keep in mind when creating/modifying patterns?
hello rachel,thanks for the tutorial,but when i make the 1st chain i cant make the second one,because my loop tightens and I can’t put the hook through it 🙁
Hi Lu, after you making your first chain, move the loop on your hook back to the part of the hook that is leveled. This will make the loop larger so that it can fit over hook. The edge where the hook is, is normally skinnier than the rest of the hook. Also, try not to pull the strand of yarn that is in your hand when you are making your second chain, because that is what tightens the loop that is on your hook.
Chaining is simple, but no matter what I do, it always seems that once I get to the next row, it seems like my chain is too tight, causing it to roll in a corner the further up I go. I can never seem to get it comfortably loose. Does that make sense?
Hi Melissa, try making your change with a slightly larger look than the rest of your work. Sometimes it is normal for your work to curl a bit, try going on to the next row or 2 to see if it works itself out.
Where did you get your crochet hook?
Is the width of a chain the same as the height of a sc?
Hi Sarah, yes, the width of one chain is the height of a single crochet. I don’t remember where exactly I got the hook from, it’s pretty old. I think it was either at Michaels or Joanns.
If your instructions start out by telling you to “ch 10”, do you count the initial slip knot as the first chain stitch? Or do you make the slip knot and _then_ make 10 chain stitches?
Hi David, the slip knot doesn’t count as a chain. So you would make the slip knot then make 10 chains.
I’m using your instructions for a school project, in order to cite this page correctly I need your last name. I would greatly appreciate you sending it to me via e-mail.
Thank you
Bailey
Hi Bailey, my full name is Rachel Choi. Feel free to learn more about the Crochet Spot Team on the About Page if you’d like.
how do I crochet round?
Joann, here’s some information about crochet in the round: Different Ways to Crochet in the Round
You may also like to start off with a pattern for a simple circle: How to Crochet a Circle
[…] as you read the instructions. No more feeling like a fish out of water for you. You can practice chaining, single crochet stitch, half double crochet stitch, double crochet, and triple crochet stitch to […]
Thank you! I’m a student so learning w thin garden twine 🙂
My question is, every time i di a foundation chain I end up w a super twisted thing & can’t tell what loops to “use” when doung the next row. How can i prevent this?
I suspect it’s something to do w how my yarn hand holds the chain? Can you help?
Thanks again!
It might be the way you hold your work, but there’s no way for sure of knowing without actually seeing you. My advice would be to take your time and crochet nice and slow. Maybe that will make it turn out neater? Also, try to make some shorter chains and see if that also twists. If it doesn’t you may be able to compare the difference in what you are doing to see what the problem might be. Practice makes perfect, so keep up the crocheting!
Thank you; huh, the Tai Chi of crochet 🙂
I’ll do that, thank you for replying!
Very helpful, I just started crochet on Sunday and I been counting the stiches wrong and my practice squares where looking like boats
Wondering if you could post something about how to count stitches. I’m so confused on that. And maybe counting the rows. Thanks so much.
That is a good idea! I’ll add it to my to-do list 🙂