How to Start a Crochet Chain

Crochet can be such a great hobby and with some extra helpful tips – you can finish the crochet project you start. Here’s how you can start a crochet chain.

It is a little bit of mindless work. That is the reason I like it. I can sit in front of the t.v. or hang out with the kids at the park and have a little something to keep my fingers busy.

There is a little bit of counting and if you are following a pattern you do need to pay attention to a few things, but really it’s just quick and simple- easy to do.

As with most of the crochet projects out there, you will need to start with a crochet chain. Learning how to start a crochet chain can be a bit tricky. If your look isn’t right it will fall apart. If you get your count off at the beginning it will not look right. How about today we learn how to get it right so everything turns out fantastic.

As with most of the crochet projects out there, you will need to start with a crochet chain.  Learning how to start a crochet chain can be a bit tricky.  If your look isn’t right it will fall apart.  If you get your count off at the beginning it will not look right.  How about today we learn how to get it right so everything turns out fantastic.

Right Tension – This is really quite important. It is pretty important to explore tension with a tension swatch. Seems funny, but do it. You will need to work on how tight or loose you are holding the yarn with your pointer finger, middle finger, index finger, right hand, left hand… there is quite a play with all of these when you are crocheting. Especially if you are a beginner crocheter. After a few tests and tries, you’ll figure out what works best for you to getting better tension.

How to Start a Crochet Chain

1) Twist your yarn so it overlaps the other and makes a working loop- the loop will be on top of the yarn that is still attached to the ball. It makes it a little slip knot style or slip stitch. There will be a yarn tail – just ignore it for now.

2) Place your crochet hook inside the look and with your fingers pinch the bottom of the loop to make sure it stays- your needle will be coming up from the back of the loop. See where the loop is still crossing on top?

3) With your crochet hook- snatch the yarn and pull so it is in the hook, making the first chain.

4) Using the hook still, the next step is to pull the yarn through the loop that is already on the hook- notice that there is now only one loop on the hook again. This would be the second chain.

5) Repeat hooking the yarn and pulling it through the loop on the hook until you have the desired length or number of chains you need, or the pattern calls for. This will make your beginning chain and foundation row.

Now you are ready to continue on with your first row of stitches.

You may find that some acrylic yarn and cotton yarn have little bumps

There is more to crochet than single crochet stitches – have some fun and explore a variety of crochet stitches or new stitch that you haven’t tried yet.

Test out fun type of yarn and sizes of hooks with a little swatch before diving into a big project. Sometimes you are surprised by what happens when the stitch and hook and yarn combine… and you may like it – or not!

How that you have the crochet chain down….you are ready to start a new crochet project or crochet pattern two! 

Here you’ll find all free patterns and the crochet projects– or you can crochet your own coffee cup cozy, or a skillet pan handle cover.

---