How to Crochet a Chain Stitch (ch)
Learn the crochet chain stitch, how to hold the hook and yarn, where to count chains, and how to keep the foundation edge even.
Make a slip knot, yarn over the hook, then pull the yarn through the loop already on the hook. Repeat that yarn-over-and-pull-through motion for each new chain.
Practice page: foundation chain
Keep the short row instructions on one side and the visual target on the other.
- Use this as a quick check before the full lesson.
- Keep it nearby while you practice the stitch or technique.
Even foundation chain sample
Key facts
Materials for practice
- Crochet hook appropriate for the yarn
- Smooth, light-colored medium-weight yarn for practice
How to do it
01Step 1Make a slip knot and place it on the hook. Tighten it only enough that the loop slides easily along the hook shaft.
02Step 2Hold the working yarn with your non-hook hand so there is gentle, consistent resistance rather than a hard pull.
03Step 3Move the hook under and around the working yarn to make a yarn over.
04Step 4Use the hook throat to pull that yarn through the loop already on the hook. One chain is complete.
05Step 5Repeat the yarn over and pull-through motion. Keep each new loop about the same size on the hook shaft.
06Step 6Count the V-shaped links on the front of the chain. Do not count the loop currently sitting on the hook.
Video walkthrough from Crochet Guru
Use this as a second explanation after the written steps. Pause, replay, and compare the motion with the close-up images above.
Make it easier
- Practice with a hook one size larger if your starting chains are consistently too tight.
- Keep the hook moving through the widest part of each loop instead of pulling from the hook tip.
- Count every 10–20 chains on long foundations to catch mistakes early.
What usually goes wrong
- Tightening the slip knot around the hook shaft
- Counting the live loop on the hook as a chain
- Changing hand position after every stitch and creating uneven tension
Questions about how to crochet a chain stitch
Does the slip knot count as a chain?+
No. The slip knot and the live loop on the hook are not counted as chain stitches.
Why is my crochet chain twisting?+
A loose chain can rotate naturally. Before working the first row, lay the chain flat and keep the V-shaped front of the chain facing the same direction.
Use this technique in a complete crochet project.
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