How to crochet a chain stitch (ch)
The chain stitch (ch) is often used to increase the height of a new row, to create embellishments like hair for a doll, or to add a hole to a piece like to make a basket handle. If a chain stitch is the first stitch in a pattern,that’s your cue to make a “foundation chain”. The only difference between a foundation chain and a regular chain stitch is that it starts with a slip knot.
To make a chain stitch in crochet, yarn over. Pull the yarn through the loop on the hook. There should be one loop left on the hook.
TIP
Minimize the chance of twisting your chain by constantly moving your left hand to hold the chain as close as possible to the hook.
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You’ve crocheted a chain, and to start a second row of single crochet stitches:
1. Insert your hook into the second chain stitch from the hook. You’ll want to put the hook under the just the side of the horizontal V further away from you, so it should look like you have two strands of yarn on the hook
2. Yarn over (YO) and pull the yarn through the chain stitch (two loops on hook)
3. YO and pull the yarn through both loops on the hook (first single crochet in second row made)
4. Keep going, inserting your hook into each chain stitch across the row and making a single crochet stitch in each one
First, make a slip knot. Then yarn over (another way of thinking about this is putting the hook below and behind the working yarn, with the tip of the hook facing you) and then pull the yarn through the loop on the hook. That’s one chain stitch done! Keep repeating that step to make as many chain stitches as you need. It may take a few tries to make every chain stitch the same size, but don’t worry, you’ll get the hang of it in no time!
Each chain stitch makes a horizontal “”V”” shape. Count the number of V’s to count the number of chain stitches you have. You can also check out our step-by-step video tutorial on how to count stitches.
It’s also important to keep in mind that when you’re counting chain stitches, you shouldn’t count the slip knot that you made at the beginning of your chain as a chain stitch.
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