What Is the Chain Stitch in Crochet?
The chain stitch (abbreviated ch) is the starting point for almost every piece of crochet. If you’ve ever knitted, it’s useful to think of the chain stitch as crochet’s version of a cast-on: unlike knitting’s live stitches, which stay on a needle until worked, a crochet chain doesn’t need anything to hold it in place — each new chain locks the one before it. Most projects begin with a foundation chain, and then later rows or rounds are worked into the stitches below, rather than into “live” loops.
How to Crochet a Chain Stitch, Step by Step
Making the Slipknot
Start by drawing out a yarn tail long enough to weave in later. Wrap the tail around your fingers to form a loop, then push the tail underneath that loop and pull through to create a slipknot. Pull it gently snug, then insert your crochet hook into the slipknot.
Holding the Hook and Tensioning the Yarn
There are two common ways to hold a crochet hook: the pencil hold (gripped between thumb and index finger, similar to holding a pencil, with the middle finger for balance) and the knife hold (gripped similarly to a table knife, with the thumb underneath and knuckles facing up). Neither is objectively correct — try both and use whichever feels more comfortable and controlled.
For your non-hook hand, wrapping the working yarn around your pinky finger first, then over the top of your index finger, helps keep even, consistent tension on the yarn as you work — a technique similar to continental-style tensioning in knitting.
Working the Chain
To make each chain stitch, wrap the working yarn over the top of your hook (this motion is called a “yarn over” in crochet instructions generally) and pull that yarn through the loop already on your hook. Angling the hook slightly downward as you scoop the yarn through can make the motion smoother. Repeat this motion for each new chain stitch. It’s worth practicing a long chain repeatedly until the motion feels smooth before moving on to your first row of actual stitches.
What Can You Make With Just a Chain Stitch?
On its own, a chain stitch doesn’t create a structural fabric the way single or double crochet does — it’s a single strand of linked loops. That said, chain stitch alone is genuinely useful for things like drawstrings, ties, simple trims, and as a base for adding fringe to a finished piece. It’s also the building block for several specialty stitches and techniques, including Solomon’s knot (also called the love knot stitch), which combines elongated loops with chain-and-lock motions to build an open, lacy mesh fabric.
What Other Stitches Look Like a Chain?
The tops of most basic crochet stitches — single crochet, half double crochet, double crochet, and so on — form a V shape that resembles a row of chain stitches, which is part of why counting stitches across a row can be confusing for new crocheters. If you’re specifically looking for crochet methods that produce a chain-like, airy look, Solomon’s knot is a good example, since it’s built directly from elongated chain-like loops. Some chainless foundation methods are also sometimes mistaken for a regular chain at a glance, even though they’re constructed differently.
Common Chain Stitch Mistakes
New crocheters often chain too tightly, which makes it hard to work the first row of stitches into the chain later. If you find your chains consistently come out tight, try consciously loosening your tension, or go up a hook size for the foundation chain only. It’s also easy to lose count of your chains, especially over long foundation chains — using stitch markers every 10 or 20 chains can help.
FAQ
How to do a chain stitch crochet step by step? Make a slipknot and place it on your hook, then repeatedly yarn over and pull the new loop through the loop already on your hook, continuing for as many chains as your pattern needs.
What can I crochet with just a chain stitch? Chain stitch alone works well for drawstrings, ties, simple trims, and fringe bases. It’s also the foundation for chain-based techniques like Solomon’s knot.
What is the hardest crochet stitch in the world? There’s no single agreed-upon answer. Difficulty is relative to the crocheter, though techniques like Bruges lace, interlocking crochet, and Tunisian crochet are commonly cited as advanced.
What crochet stitch looks like a chain? The tops of most basic stitches form a V similar to a chain. Solomon’s knot is also built from chain-like elongated loops, and chainless foundation methods can resemble a regular chain visually.