Now that you know how to make a slip knot, it’s time to learn how to crochet a chain. This is the very first thing you should learn and get comfortable with in order to start crocheting. Chains are the most basic type of crochet stitch. They are great way to get accustomed to holding the yarn and moving the hook. I recommend that everyone who learns how to crochet start by just making looong chains and then pulling them out. If you prefer, you can make your chains into a headband, a bracelet or anything else you can imagine. The options are endless!
With the exception of projects that will be crocheted in the round, you will start most of your crochet projects with a simple chain stitch. When you become more comfortable with crocheting you can start to learn some of the other foundation stitches. These basically eliminate a step by doing a chain and the first row of stitches at the same time.
In addition to being a “foundation stitch” chains can also be done in the middle of a pattern and create a lace effect among other things.
For now, we will start with the chain.
What do I need to crochet a chain?
You will only need 2 things right now: yarn and a hook that is the correct size for that yarn. As with learning anything, you will need a good attitude and a little bit of persistence. But I promise that you will pick up making chains very quickly and then you will be on to more complex stitches.
What do I need to know before starting?
Starting a crochet project is a little challenging because you don’t have a project to hold onto to create leverage. It can make it a bit tricky to control the yarn and to get the right tension for your project. Don’t be afraid to undo any stitches that don’t look how you want them to. Part of what I love about crocheting is the fact that you can undo it then easily pick it right back up! So don’t be scared of messing up, that is what learning a new skill is all about.
How do I hold the yarn and hook?
If you are brand new to crochet it is helpful to see a few options for how to hold your crochet hook and yarn. After all, this is something that is brand new for you and it can be awkward until you get used to it. That is why I have put together a tutorial each for how to hold your yarn and how to hold your crochet hook.
Take a look at them here and then come back to learn how to make a chain:
How to Hold Your Crochet Hook
How to Hold Your Yarn to Crochet
Alright, now that you have what you need, let’s get started.
Prefer to Watch the Video Instead?
Right-handed how to crochet a chain
Left-handed how to crochet a chain
1. To begin, make a slip knot and slip it over your hook
Pull the slip knot tight around the hook but make sure it is loose enough to fit around the hook and maybe a bit extra
Tip: I like to hold the short end of the yarn between my thumb and middle finger to keep the yarn from spinning on the hook
2. You are going to use the pointer finger of the “yarn holding hand” to wrap the yarn around the hook.
This is called a yarn over and you will wrap the yarn from the front around to the back
Tip: Use your same pointer finger to hold the yarn so it doesn’t slip back over to the front
3. Use your hook to ‘catch’ the loop that you just made. Pull the loop through the slip knot that you had on your hook to begin with.
You’ve made your first chain!
Continue repeating steps 2 & 3 to create more chains. But now instead of pulling the loop through the slip knot, you are going to be pulling the new loop through the chain that you just made.
It may feel awkward at first, but as you go, it will become much easier and more natural.
Now, your assignment is to practice making chains. Make a necklace, a bracelet, a headband. Practice using really tight tension and really loose, and then somewhere in the middle.
Once you have that down, make sure you know how to crochet a slip stitch and then go ahead and make your very first project, which is a soap saver.
This is a quick pattern that I created so you can make something really cute and useful right away to practice your new crocheting skills. This free pattern only uses chains and slip stitches and it is a perfect addition to your bathroom decor.
I hope that this tutorial helped you to learn how to chain. Now that you understand how to make a chain you are off to a good start! Make sure you make the soap saver pattern to practice your new-found skills. This is a great way to gain confidence by creating something really cute and fun right off the bat!
Enjoy 🙂
