Start your crochet project: the chain and the first stitch

Every crochet project begins with a starting stitch and a foundation chain. The rest of the piece will grow from there. In this chapter, you’ll learn how to knot the yarn, how to crochet the chain, and how to insert the hook correctly in the first rows.

The starting loop (slip knot)

To begin, we need to tie the yarn to the crochet hook. This step is also known as the starting loop.

1. Make a small loop with the yarn.
2. Insert the crochet hook through the loop.
3. Adjust the knot so that it is secure but not too tight.

🎥 Video tutorial: How to make a starting loop in crochet 

The foundation chain

The chain stitch is the foundation of every crochet project. Once the starting loop is made, continue crocheting chain stitches until you reach the desired width of the project.

Step-by-step guide to crocheting a chain

1. Yarn over: bring the yarn coming from the ball in front of the crochet hook.
2. Draw up the yarn: catch the yarn with the hook and bring it toward the loop already on the hook.
3. Pull the yarn through: pull it toward you, through the loop.
4. You’ve made your first chain stitch!
5. Repeat these steps until you reach the desired length.

💡 Tip: don’t make the chain stitches too tight. They should be loose so that it’s easier to crochet into them later. TIP for your projects: crochet the foundation chain using a hook one size larger than the hook you’ll use to make the project.

🎥 Video tutorial: How to crochet the foundation chain step by step.

Where do you insert the hook?

When you start crocheting into the foundation chain, you may wonder where to insert the hook.

• First row: insert the hook into the “loops” that form the foundation chain.
• Following rows: insert the hook into the stitch from the previous row. Each stitch is shaped like a “V”. Make sure to pick up both strands of the “V” so that the fabric is firm.

Front loop and back loop

Some patterns specify working through only one of the loops of the stitch:

• Front loop: pick up only the front part of the “V”.
• Back loop: pick up only the back part of the “V”.

This creates different textures and is commonly used for decorative stitches or ribbing.

Conclusion

With the starting loop and the foundation chain, you now know the first two steps for starting any crochet project. You’re now ready to learn the basic stitches in the next chapter.

👉 Continue to the next chapter: Basic crochet stitches: single crochet

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