How to make a chain stitch (ch)
A chain stitch (ch) is one of the first crochet stitches you'll learn. By repeating chain stitches, you can create a foundation chain, which is often used to start crochet projects worked in rows.
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The heart of it
A chain stitch (ch) is one loop pulled through another. Repeat it and you’ve made a foundation chain — the base many crochet projects begin from.
Step-by-step instructions
Make a slip knot
Step 1:
Hold your yarn
Hold the yarn tail in one hand and the working yarn (the strand leading to the ball) in the other.
Step 2:
Make a loop
Cross the yarn tail in front of the working yarn to make a loop.
Step 3:
Fold the loop over
Fold the loop to one side, keeping the working yarn running through the middle.
Step 4:
Tighten into a knot
Pull the strand in the center of the loop upward while you pull the yarn tail to tighten.
And that’s your slip knot!
You can change the loop size by pulling the working yarn.
Make the chain (ch)
Step 5:
Hook into the loop
Slip your hook into the loop, then snug the loop up so it sits comfortably around the hook — not tight.
Hold the yarn in place with your other hand.
Step 6:
Yarn over
With the hook tip facing you and in front of the working yarn, yarn over: bring the hook from the front, down under the yarn, behind it, and up again so the yarn wraps the hook.
Step 7:
Pull through
Pull that yarn through the loop on your hook.
And that’s one chain (ch) stitch made!
Step 8:
Keep going
Repeat the yarn over and pull through to make as many chains (ch) as your pattern asks for.
Well done! You've learned how to make a chain stitch (ch) — one of the building blocks of crochet.
Check your chain count against your pattern, then continue to the next lesson.
We're right here with you every step of the way.