foundation chain (FC)
You can combine your chains and the first row of a pattern to one – this is called a foundation chain. The advantage is not only a quicker start of your project, but the chain is also stretchier than the combination of chains/stitches.
Below you will find pictorials on how to work it with single, halfdouble and double crochet.
Foundation chain single crochet (FCSC)
Step 1
(These two chains do not count as stitches.)
Step 2
Insert your hook in the second chain from hook – yarn over hook and pull back through the loop – you now have 2 loops on your hook.
Yarn over hook and pull through one loop only.
Step 3
Yarn over hook and pull through both loops.
Step 4
foundation chain halfdouble crochet (FCHDC)
Step 1
Begin with a slip knot and chain 2.
(These two chains do not count as stitches.)
Step 2
Place your yarn around your hook and insert it in the second chain from hook – yarn over hook and pull back through the loop – you now have 3 loops on your hook.
Step 3
Place your yarn around your hook and pull through one loop – that is your “chain-loop”.
Step 4
Place your yarn around your hook and pull through all three loops closing the stitch.
Step 5
Place your yarn around your hook and insert it in your “chain loop” – repeat these steps till you have the amount of stitches needed.
finished row
foundation chain double crochet (fcdc)
Step 1
Begin with a slip knot and chain 3.
(These three chains do not count as stitches.)
Step 2
Place your yarn around your hook and insert it in the third chain from hook – yarn over hook and pull back through the loop – you now have 3 loops on your hook.
Step 3
Place your yarn around your hook and pull through one loop – that is your “chain-loop”.
Step 4
Place your yarn around your hook again and pull through both loops closing the stitch.
Step 5
Place your yarn around your hook and insert it in your “chain loop” – repeat these steps till you have the amount of stitches needed.
finished row
I find the foundation chain just amazing. Before I would spend hours doing chains and a few rows just to find the project either too wide or too narrow. With the foundation chain the length of a project is always clear from the beginning. Furthermore I also find that the edge is a lot prettier than if I did chains. Try it out for yourself and i give yourself time to properly learn it – I guarantee you will stick with this from then on.
what’s hooking
Patterns using this stitch
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