If you’re just beginning your crochet journey, learning the basic crochet stitches is the perfect place to start. In this post, we’ll guide you through two essential techniques: how to create a chain crochet stitch and how to tie a slip knot. These foundational skills form the base of almost every crochet project, from cozy blankets to cute amigurumi. Once you’ve mastered these simple steps, you’ll be ready to explore more advanced patterns with confidence and ease.
Materials:
- Crochet Hook: For beginners, a medium-sized hook is often recommended. Look for sizes around H/8 (5.0 mm) or I/9 (5.5 mm). These sizes are versatile and easy to work with. Opt for a smooth hook made of aluminum or with an ergonomic handle for comfort.
- Yarn: Choose a worsted-weight yarn in a light color. Lighter colors make it much easier to see your stitches as you’re learning. Avoid fuzzy or novelty yarns initially, as they can obscure stitch definition. A smooth, acrylic yarn is a great and affordable starting point.
To practice the slip knot and chain, this is truly all you will need.
Takeaways:
Practice, practice, practice!
Tension, tension, tension!
Crochet chains are typically the basis for most of the basic crochet stitches you will learn.
Crochet is meant to be fun, and can be a very rewarding experience. You will learn that how you hold your hook and your yarn can make a very big impact on your experience so play around with this; don’t just see one example and assume you have to match that.
Goals:
Give yourself grace; this will come easy for some and harder for others
Learn:
- The slip knot,
- How to hold the hook,
- To crochet your first chain,
- How to avoid tension in your body,
- What kind of tension you need for your yarn,
- How to create the proper tension throughout your chain,
- To control both the yarn and the hook.
The very first step is a slip knot!
Make a Slip Knot: This is the first loop on your hook (it is not considered one of the basic crochet stitches).
- Make a loop with your yarn (note the black arrow pointing out the cross over in the yarn).
- Insert your hook into the loop from front to back (notice you can still see the cross over of the yarn).
- Hook the working yarn with your hook and pull it through the loop (note the black arrow pointing out the original cross over of the yarn. The orange arrow is pointing out the loop that will remain on your hook).
- Gently pull the tail of the yarn to tighten the knot around your hook, but not too tightly (you will be pulling yarn through this loop so you want it loose so the hook can pull through, but not so big the hook is falling out – note the final image).
Next is to create the chain!
One of the first of the basic crochet stitches is the chain stitch; it will be the beginning to many projects you will take on as you begin your new crochet journey. It is a series of loops that create what looks almost like a braid. How you crochet this will impact the rest of your project so, although it seems silly to spend a lot of time on this, mastering this will set you up for success later on!
When will you use a chain:
- As stated before, this will be the base of many of your projects as well as the base for other basic crochet stitches especially as a beginner.
- When watching or reading tutorials, you will also find that chains are used to give your work “height” typically as you prepare for your next row.
- You will also see it as part of more complex stitches as you begin to look at different patterns. For instance, the granny square has a chain in between its clusters of stitches (not a complex stitch, but still a good example).
- Many times if you are working a project that is square, there will be chains in the corners (again, seen in the granny square pattern).
In a pattern:
In a pattern you will see the symbol as an oval and written patterns will shorten this to “ch”.
Holding the Hook:
- Pencil Grip: Hold the hook much like you would a pencil, with your thumb and index finger closer to the hook’s head and your middle finger providing support underneath.
- Knife Grip: Hold the hook with your entire hand, similar to how you would hold a dinner knife.
Try both and see which feels more natural and gives you the most control. Remember, your grip should be relaxed, allowing your wrist and fingers to do most of the work.
Great video to watch:
Chain Stitch
Yarn Over (yo): With the slip knot on your hook, bring the working yarn over the hook from back to front.
Pull Through: Using your hook, catch the yarn you just yarned over and pull it through the loop already on your hook.
Congratulations! You’ve just made your first chain stitch.
Read through the information below to help support you as you learn about the chain. Remember, it is the foundation for the rest of your project and other basic crochet stitches you will practice. It may feel silly to spend too much time on this but, it will be well worth it later on!
Focus on Your Hands:
- Guide, Don’t Grip the Yarn: Your non-dominant hand should gently guide the yarn onto the hook. Avoid tightly wrapping it around your fingers or pulling excessively. Think of it as a gentle stream flowing onto the hook.
- Relax Your Grip: This is the golden rule for all of crochet, and it starts with the chain. A tight grip on your hook or yarn will inevitably lead to tight, uneven chains.
- Keep your fingers about
- Consistent Yarn Flow: Ensure the yarn is feeding smoothly from the ball or skein and is providing an even tension.
- Slight Resistance: You want enough tension so the yarn doesn’t flop around, but not so much that it’s difficult to pull through loops. Think of it as gentle guidance rather than a tight grip.
- Hook Position: Keep the hook at a consistent angle as you yarn over and pull through. An erratic angle can affect the size of your loops.
- Hand on Hook Position: Also, pay attention to where your hand is on the hook. Some people hold it too close to the hook, some hold it too close to the end, and all of this can impact your overall experience. I have found when teaching people that having your fingers around 1.5-2 inches away from the hook gives you the best control. You are looking to control the yarn and if things are too tight (white knuckle grip on the hook and possibly too close) or too loose (next to no grip on the hook and possibly too far from the hook) – the yarn will control you – AND your fun! (no thanks).
Holding the Yarn:
Your non-dominant hand controls the yarn and maintains tension. Here are a few common ways to hold the yarn:
- Wrapping around One Finger: Many beginners find it easiest to wrap the yarn once around their index finger.
- Wrapping around Multiple Fingers: Some wrap the yarn around their pinky and over their index finger, using their middle and ring fingers to help guide the yarn.
- The “Fountain” Method: Let the yarn flow loosely from the ball, guiding it with your fingers without much wrapping.
The key is to find a way to hold the yarn that provides slight resistance, allowing it to flow smoothly onto your hook without being too tight or too loose. Experiment with different finger placements until you find a comfortable and consistent tension.
How you hold the yarn will also be absolutely based on function, not form. Your goal is to keep the yarn moving smoothly as best you can. I have been crocheting for over 30 years and I find that my way of holding the yarn is possibly slowing me down however, its comfortable to me and I have not put in the time and energy to retrain myself.
This is YOUR journey. Experience it how you would like. Watch what people do, and play around. If nothing is feeling great or working, just stick to one method and practice, practice, practice!
Great video to check out:
The Mechanics of the Chain:
- Yarn Over Smoothly: When you yarn over, try to do it with a fluid motion. Avoid jerking the yarn, which can create tighter loops.
- Pull Through Deliberately: Pull the yarn through the loop on your hook with a consistent amount of force. Don’t yank it or let it slide through too loosely.
- Observe Your Loops: As you create each chain, take a quick look at the size of the loop on your hook. Aim for them to be roughly the same size. They shouldn’t be so tight they distort the previous chain or so loose they’re floppy.
- Practice the “Feel”: With practice, you’ll develop a feel for the right amount of tension. Pay attention to how much resistance you’re applying to the yarn as you pull through.
Troubleshooting Tight Chains:
- Check Your Starting Slip Knot: Make sure your slip knot isn’t pulled too tightly around the hook. It should be snug but still able to move slightly.
- Try a Larger Hook (Temporarily): If you consistently find your chains are too tight, try making a practice chain with a hook one size larger than you intend to use for your project. This can help you understand what a looser tension feels like. Then switch back to your intended hook and try to replicate that looser feel.
- Loosen Your Yarn Holding Hand: Often, tight chains are a result of tension in the hand holding the yarn. Consciously try to relax this hand.
Troubleshooting Loose Chains:
- Wrap the Yarn More Securely (Gently): If your chains are too loose, try wrapping the yarn around your guiding finger(s) with slightly more intention to create a bit more resistance.
- Use a Smaller Hook (Temporarily): Similar to the tight chain tip, try a smaller hook for a practice chain to understand a tighter tension.
- Maintain Closer Proximity: Keep your working yarn relatively close to your hook. Letting it dangle too far can sometimes lead to looser loops.
The Importance of Consistency:
As you learn basic crochet stitches, the ultimate goal is to achieve consistent tension throughout your chain. Even if your tension is slightly tighter or looser than someone else’s, as long as it’s consistent, your foundation row will be even and your subsequent stitches will build upon a stable base.
Don’t get discouraged if your first few attempts aren’t perfect. Like any new skill, achieving good tension takes practice. Keep working at it, pay attention to how the yarn feels in your hands, and you’ll get the hang of it!
Tips, tricks, and tools:
- Videos; Watch how the hook is moving through the yarn, then, hold the hook how it would make the most sense for you to achieve that. Look at which way the hook is facing, look at how the yarn is pulled through loops. Hold your hook and make the similar movements without any yarn and see what feels right for you.
- The movement of crochet is primarily with the wrist and with your yarn holding fingers. You want to pay attention to how your body feels. Try to find a way to sit that does not have you greatly hunched over and is relaxing.
- Tools some people use:
- Pillows (like a breastfeeding pillow)
- Lazy glasses (if you can) which will help you look down without bending your neck avoiding neck strain
What’s Next?
Mastering the chain stitch is your first big step into the world of crochet. In future posts, we’ll explore the other basic crochet stitches and start working on simple projects. So grab your hook and yarn, practice your chain, and get ready to unlock a world of creative possibilities!