How to Crochet a Chain Stitch for Beginners
Learning how to crochet a chain stitch is one of the first skills every beginner needs. Chains form the foundation of many crochet projects and also appear inside patterns as turning chains, spaces, loops, and decorative elements.
What Is a Crochet Chain?
A crochet chain is a row of linked loops made by repeatedly pulling yarn through the loop already on your hook. In patterns, chain is usually abbreviated as ch. The Craft Yarn Council abbreviation guide is a useful reference for common crochet terms.
What You Need
- A smooth, light-colored yarn that is easy to see
- A crochet hook appropriate for the yarn
- Scissors
If you are unsure which yarn or hook to choose, see our guide to choosing yarn and crochet hook sizes guide.
How to Crochet a Chain Stitch
- Make a slip knot. Place the slip knot on your hook and tighten it gently so the loop can still slide along the hook shaft.
- Hold the working yarn. Let the yarn run from the ball over or around the fingers of your non-hook hand. Your grip should control the yarn without squeezing it tightly.
- Yarn over. Bring the yarn over the hook from back to front.
- Pull through. Use the hook to draw that yarn through the loop already on the hook. You have made one chain stitch.
- Repeat. Yarn over and pull through again for each new chain.
How to Count Chain Stitches
Look at the front of the chain and find the small V-shaped links. Each V normally counts as one chain. The loop currently sitting on the hook is not counted as a completed chain.
How Tight Should the Chain Be?
The chain should be even and flexible. If it is very tight, inserting the hook into later stitches becomes difficult. If it is very loose, the foundation edge may look uneven. Try to keep each new loop resting around the wider shaft of the hook before making the next chain.
Common Beginner Problems
My chain keeps getting tighter
Relax your grip and let the loop slide onto the hook shaft instead of tightening every stitch near the hook tip.
My chain twists
A loose chain naturally moves around. Before working the first row, lay it flat and identify the same side of the chain from beginning to end.
I lose count
Count the V shapes slowly and place a stitch marker every 10 or 20 chains when working a long foundation.
The loops are different sizes
Focus on repeating the same hand movement rather than pulling harder after each stitch. Even tension improves with practice.
What Comes After the Chain?
Once you are comfortable chaining, practice working single crochet into the foundation chain. Our complete beginner crochet guide explains the next basic steps. You can then try a simple project such as our crochet dishcloth or granny square tutorial.
Practice Exercise
Make a chain of about 20 stitches, undo it, and repeat several times. Instead of trying to work quickly, look for consistent V shapes and a flexible edge. When your chain feels comfortable, make another chain and work into it rather than starting over.
Final Thoughts
The chain stitch is simple, but learning to control tension and count accurately makes later crochet much easier. Practice slowly, use yarn that is easy to see, and focus on making relaxed, consistent loops.
Photo: Karina L via Unsplash.
