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How to Chain Stitch Crochet: The Foundation of Everything (Step by Step)

May 13, 2026 - By Crochet Insider

Basic stitch By CrochetInsider · Updated April 2026 Reading time: ~12 min Includes 10 chain‑only projects

The chain stitch is the very first thing I teach anyone who wants to learn crochet. It’s the “A” of the crochet alphabet – simple, foundational, and absolutely everywhere. Without the chain, you can’t start a project, you can’t create height between rows, and you can’t make lace or spaces. But here’s the good news: it’s also the easiest stitch to learn. In this guide, I’ll walk you through the chain stitch step by step, show you the most common mistakes (and how to fix them), and even give you 10 projects you can make with nothing but chains. Yes, really.

What is a chain stitch? (And why it matters)

A chain stitch is a series of connected loops that looks like – you guessed it – a chain. In crochet, it’s abbreviated as “ch” in patterns. You’ll see it everywhere:

As a foundation: Most projects start with a chain (called the “foundation chain”).
As a turning chain: At the end of a row, you chain 1, 2, or 3 to reach the height of the next row.
As a decorative element: Chain spaces create lace, mesh, and granny square corners.
As a project by itself: Believe it or not, you can make scarves, bags, and jewellery using only chains.

If you can make a chain, you’ve already started crocheting. Everything else is just variations of pulling yarn through loops.

The slip knot – where every chain begins

Before you can chain, you need a slip knot on your hook. Here’s how I make one (and how I teach it).

Make a loop with the yarn tail hanging behind Hold the working yarn (the strand going to the ball) in your hand. Cross it over the tail (the short end) to form a loop.

Reach through with your hook Insert your hook into the loop from front to back. Catch the working yarn and pull it through the loop.

Pull both ends to tighten Hold the tail and the working yarn and pull gently. The knot should snug up against the hook, but still slide freely.

The loop on your hook should never be so tight you have to force it. If it’s tight, loosen the knot by pulling the tail slightly.

Now you’re ready to chain. Keep that slip knot on the hook – it’s your first “loop.”

Step‑by‑step: how to make a chain stitch

With your slip knot on the hook, let’s make some chains.

Yarn over (YO) Wrap the working yarn from back to front over the hook. The hook should catch the yarn in its “throat” (the narrow part).

Pull through the loop on your hook Rotate the hook slightly downward and draw the yarn through the loop that’s already on your hook.

You’ve made one chain! The loop that remains on your hook is the working loop – it is NOT a chain stitch. The “V” shape below it is your first chain.

Repeat Keep doing “yarn over, pull through” to add more chains. Each time, a new V forms below the hook.

Watch the V’s form. That’s your chain. The more you do, the longer your tail becomes. Practice making chains until the motion feels natural – usually 5‑10 minutes of repetition.

That’s it. You’ve just done the chain stitch. Now make 20 more. Then 50. Muscle memory is built through repetition.

How to keep your chains even (tension tricks)

Uneven chains – some loose, some tight – are the #1 beginner frustration. Here’s how to fix it.

Tip 1: Relax your grip

Most beginners hold the hook and yarn too tightly. If your hands ache after 2 minutes, loosen up. The yarn should glide, not fight.

Tip 2: Use the hook to control loop size

When you pull through, let the hook determine the size of the loop. Don’t pull the yarn taut after each stitch. The hook’s shaft is the “ruler” – all your loops will be the same size if you just let it rest on the thickest part of the hook.

Tip 3: Go up a hook size for the chain only

If your foundation chain is always too tight, use a hook one size larger just for the chain, then switch back for the rest of your project. This trick has saved many blankets.

Tip 4: Practice without purpose

Take a scrap of yarn and make a chain as long as your arm. Then unravel it and do it again. Tension improves with practice, not with perfect projects.

6 common chain stitch mistakes (and fixes)

🌀

My chain is twisted You’re twisting the chain as you crochet, or the slip knot was tight. Fix: Lay the chain down flat after every 5‑10 stitches to straighten it. If it still twists, your tension is uneven – practice more.

🐛

My chain is curling into a caterpillar Your foundation chain is too tight compared to the rest of your stitches. Fix: Use the “hook one size larger for the chain” trick. Or consciously make each chain looser – imagine you’re leaving a small gap.

🔢

I keep losing count of my chains Chains are small and easy to lose track of. Fix: Place a stitch marker every 10 chains. Count out loud. Or chain more than you need and count later – you can always unravel extra.

🤏

My hook keeps getting stuck in the loops Your tension is too tight, or you’re using a hook that’s too small for your yarn. Fix: Loosen your grip. If that doesn’t help, go up a hook size. Remember: tight stitches are not “correct” – they’re just tight.

👀

I can’t see the V’s clearly Dark yarn or fluffy yarn hides stitch definition. Fix: Practice with a smooth, light‑coloured worsted weight yarn. Save the black and eyelash yarn for later.

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Some chains are huge, some are tiny You’re changing your tension mid‑chain, usually because you’re looking away from your work. Fix: Watch your hands for every stitch until the motion becomes automatic. It takes time.

How to count chains (and why the loop on the hook doesn’t count)

This trips up almost every beginner. Here’s the rule:

The loop on your hook is NOT a chain stitch. It’s the working loop. The chains are the V‑shaped loops below the hook.

To count your chains, look at the front of your work. Each V is one chain. Do not count the loop on the hook. Also, do not count the slip knot (it’s not a chain).

If you chain 20 times, you will have 20 V’s and one working loop on the hook.

Practice: Make a chain of 10. Then count the V’s. If you see 10, congratulations. If you see 9 or 11, do it again. Counting accurately matters for patterns – if your foundation chain is off by 2, your whole project will be off.

10 projects you can make with only chains

Yes, you can make real, useful things using only the chain stitch. Here are 10 ideas (perfect for practising).

Chain‑Only Project Ideas

Absolute beginner

1.Chain scarf – Make a chain as long as you want your scarf (60‑70″). Weave the tail back through the last few chains to secure. That’s it. A delicate, lacy scarf.

2.Friendship bracelet – Chain 30, fold in half, tie. Add beads by threading them onto the yarn before chaining.

3.Drawstring bag – Chain 50, make 2 of them. Thread through the top of a crochet bag or even a fabric pouch.

4.Garland – Chain 100, then make small chains every 5″ to create loops. String across a mantle.

5.Belt – Chain 80‑100, add a toggle or button at one end, a loop at the other.

6.Headband – Chain 45 (or around your head), then chain an extra 20 for a tie at the end. Wear as a bohemian headband.

7.Yarn pom‑pom hanger – Chain 10, attach to a pom‑pom. Hang from your rearview mirror.

8.Gift tie – Chain 30, tie around a gift box instead of ribbon. Reusable and personal.

9.Curly tentacles for amigurumi – Chain 20, then slip stitch back down the chain. It curls naturally. Attach to an octopus or jellyfish.

10.Chain stitched art – Glue a long chain onto a canvas in a zigzag or spiral pattern. Instant modern art.

The chain stitch alone is surprisingly versatile. Spend a week making chain projects – you’ll build muscle memory without the pressure of “real” projects.

Beyond the basic chain: foundation single crochet (FSC)

One common complaint about chains: the foundation chain can be too tight or hard to work into. The solution is the foundation single crochet (FSC) – a combination of chain and single crochet that creates the foundation and the first row simultaneously.

FSC is a bit more advanced, but once you learn it, you’ll never go back for some projects. I have a full tutorial in our FSC guide. But for now, master the basic chain first.

Practice exercises to master the chain

Here’s how I get my students fluent in chains:

Exercise 1: The 10‑chain challenge – Make a chain of 10. Count it. Unravel. Do it again. Repeat 20 times.
Exercise 2: The long chain – Chain until you run out of yarn. Watch how your tension evens out after the first 30 chains.
Exercise 3: Chain to a beat – Put on music. Chain one stitch per beat. This helps develop a consistent rhythm.
Exercise 4: Blind chain (advanced) – Once you’re comfortable, try chaining while looking at something else (like the TV). Your hands should know the motion.

Do these for 10 minutes a day, and within a week, you’ll be able to chain without thinking.

You’ve mastered the chain – now the world opens up

The chain stitch is the key to everything. Once you can chain comfortably, you can start any project, follow any pattern, and create any stitch. From here, you’ll learn single crochet, double crochet, and the rest. But never forget where you started: with a simple loop and a hook, making V after V after V.

Now learn the next stitch

Next stitch → How to single crochet (work into your chains) Full beginner guide → How to crochet for beginners (from chain to project) First projects → 9 easy crochet patterns (all use chains) Reference → Crochet abbreviations guide (ch means chain)

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Practising your chains? Join the Crochet Insider community – members get printable chain practice sheets, video tutorials of every step, and a “chain challenge” with prizes. Launching April 2026! 🧶