How to Make Your First Crochet Chain

A crochet chain is the foundation for many beginner projects. It is also the best place to learn how yarn tension feels in your hands. The goal is not to make every loop perfect on the first try. The goal is to make a row of chain stitches that are loose enough for your hook to enter again.

What you need

• Medium cotton or acrylic yarn in a light color
• I 5 mm crochet hook, or the hook suggested on the yarn label
• Scissors for trimming the yarn after practice

Abbreviation

ch means chain. Patterns may say “ch 20,” which means make 20 chain stitches.

Steps

1. Make a slip knot and place it on the hook. The loop should move, but it should not slide off by itself.
2. Hold the knot below the hook with your thumb and middle finger. Let the working yarn come over your index finger.
3. Wrap the yarn over the hook from back to front. This is called a yarn over.
4. Pull that yarn through the loop already on your hook. One chain stitch is complete.
5. Repeat the yarn over and pull-through motion until you have the number of chains you need.

Practice chain

Try making 25 chains. Count the front “V” shapes. The loop on your hook does not count as a chain. If your chain curls tightly, relax your grip and make the next row a little looser.

Beginner tips

Keep the hook size comfortable. A hook that is too small can make the chain stiff and frustrating. A hook that is slightly larger than the yarn label suggests can help when you are learning. Try to keep each chain close in size, but do not pull the yarn tight after every stitch. Crochet needs a little space so the next row can be worked cleanly.

When you are ready to use the chain as a foundation, turn it so you can see the top “V” of each stitch. Most beginner patterns ask you to skip one or more chains before making the first stitch. That skipped chain gives the row height and keeps the edge from pulling down.