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Crochet › Basic stitches

Chain and foundation rows (incl. foundation single crochet)

The starting edge of every crocheted piece: a line of chain loops with the first row worked into it, or a stretchy "chainless" edge where each stitch makes its own chain as it goes.

What you work it with

Crochet · Tools: A crochet hook for the yarn (the label gives the size); any smooth yarn for learning; stitch markers for counting long chains.

Symbol chart

One or two repeats of the stitch pattern, in standard crochet symbols.
123Chain (ch)Single crochet (sc)Read from the bottom: each row starts at its number, with its turning chain.

Steps

  1. Make a slip knot on the hook.
  2. Chain: yarn over, pull through the loop; repeat to the length you need, keeping the chains even.
  3. Row 1: work the first stitch into the 2nd chain from the hook for sc (3rd for hdc, 4th for dc), then one stitch in each chain. Or fsc: ch 2, insert in the 2nd ch from the hook, pull up a loop, yarn over and pull through 1 (the chain), yarn over and pull through 2 (the sc).
  4. For each next fsc, insert under the two loops of that chain and repeat.
  5. Count the stitches before row 2.

The full card

What it looks like
The starting edge of every crocheted piece: a line of chain loops with the first row worked into it, or a stretchy "chainless" edge where each stitch makes its own chain as it goes.
How it behaves
A plain chain is firm and often tighter than the rows above it, so the bottom edge pulls in; a foundation single crochet edge stretches like the fabric.
How it works
Chain: yarn over and pull through the loop on the hook, again and again; the first row is then worked into the chains. Foundation single crochet (fsc): each new stitch is built on the chain made at the base of the stitch before, so the chain and the first row of sc are made together.
Tools
A crochet hook for the yarn (the label gives the size); any smooth yarn for learning; stitch markers for counting long chains.
Parameters
Chain the number of stitches for row 1 plus the turning chain; for fsc, make as many fsc as the first row needs, not the number of chains the pattern lists.
Steps
1) Make a slip knot on the hook. 2) Chain: yarn over, pull through the loop; repeat to the length you need, keeping the chains even. 3) Row 1: work the first stitch into the 2nd chain from the hook for sc (3rd for hdc, 4th for dc), then one stitch in each chain. Or fsc: ch 2, insert in the 2nd ch from the hook, pull up a loop, yarn over and pull through 1 (the chain), yarn over and pull through 2 (the sc). 4) For each next fsc, insert under the two loops of that chain and repeat. 5) Count the stitches before row 2.
Charting
The row of chain ovals drawn under row 1 is the foundation chain; row 1 is worked into it, starting from the right. With fsc the foundation and row 1 are made in one pass.
Limits and common problems
A tight chain makes a puckered bottom edge: chain with a hook one size larger. Twisting the chain when joining in the round makes a twisted tube; lay it flat first [inference]. Losing count in a long chain: place a marker every 20.
Combines with
Single crochet, Half double crochet, Double crochet
Pieces and assembly
The start of every flat piece; fsc for necklines and hems that must stretch.

Written in our own words from machine manuals, knitting references and swatching. Knit a test swatch before a whole piece.

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