How to Start a Crochet Chain (Chain Stitch)
Learn how to start a crochet chain, make even chain stitches, count the foundation correctly, and avoid a tight or twisted starting edge.
Follow the written lesson for each stitch. US crochet terms are used unless stated otherwise.
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.
Watch how to start a crochet chain
Prefer to learn by watching? Open the full lesson, then use this page for quick reference, tips, common mistakes, and FAQs.
Practice page: foundation chain
Keep each complete first instruction alongside the accompanying reference illustration.
- 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
Details that prevent common beginner mistakes
What counts as one crochet chain
Each V-shaped link counts as one chain. The slip knot and the live loop on the hook are not counted as chain stitches.
How loose the foundation should be
The chain should be easy to enter with the hook. If the first row pulls the edge into a curve, relax the chain tension or use a slightly larger hook just for the foundation.
How to stop the chain twisting
Lay the chain flat before the first row and keep the V shapes facing the same direction. For long foundations, pause every few inches to untwist the chain before continuing.
What counts as a chain
The adjustable slip knot and the live loop on your hook are not counted as chain stitches. Count the V-shaped links below the hook; if the chain twists or tightens, ease your working yarn before the next yarn-over.
Materials for practice
- Crochet hook appropriate for the yarn
- Smooth, light-colored medium-weight yarn for practice
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 start a crochet chain
How do you start a chain in crochet?+
Make a slip knot, place it on the hook, yarn over, then pull the yarn through the loop on the hook. Repeat the yarn-over-and-pull-through motion for each new chain.
Does the slip knot count as a crochet chain?+
No. The slip knot and the live loop currently on the hook are not counted as chain stitches.
How tight should a foundation chain be?+
The chain should be loose enough for the hook to enter each stitch without forcing it. If the chain is much tighter than the row above it, use a slightly larger hook for the chain or relax your tension.
Why is my crochet chain twisting?+
A loose foundation chain can rotate naturally. Before working the first row, lay it flat and keep the front V shapes facing the same direction.
Where do I insert the hook into a crochet chain?+
Follow the pattern because it may use the front loop, back bump, or both strands. For many beginner swatches, the back bump creates a neat lower edge.
How do I count crochet chain stitches?+
Count the V-shaped links in the chain. Do not count the slip knot or the live loop sitting on the hook.
How do I join a foundation chain in the round without twisting it?+
Lay the entire chain flat with the front V stitches facing the same way. Check along its length for twists, then make a slip stitch into the first chain to close the ring without rotating the chain. Mark the join, and follow your pattern’s turning-chain rule.
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