Raise your hand if you hate sewing into chains.
Yeah, that’s what I thought. Is there anyone who doesn’t completely dread that first row of a scarf, and having to sew into all of those pesky, tight little knots?
What I’m about to show you will change your life. (At least your crochet life.) With the Chainless Foundation Stitch, you NO LONGER have to chain a million and then go back and sew into them one by one. Trust me, when you master this simple concept, you’ll be whipping out scarves and cowls like nobody’s business. (And you’ll wonder why this wasn’t, like, the first thing you ever learned.)
Once you’ve got the technique down, check out these fun, FREE scarf patterns to practice on!
For this tutorial, we’ll use the Double Crochet (DC), although this can be modified for single, half, etc (we’ll cover that toward the end).
Double Crochet Chainless Foundation Stitch
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –
First DC:
Chain 3. Yarn over and insert hook into third chain from hook.
(Okay, okay, I know I said no more sewing into chains. This is the only one, I promise.)
Draw up a loop (you will have 3 loops on your hook, as in Figure 1 below); then yarn over and pull through only the first loop. (<—This is the magic step that makes it work!) You will still have 3 loops on your hook. (It should look like Figure 2, below.)
For the lefties:
Now, complete the DC as normal (yarn over, draw through first two loops; yarn over again and draw through remaining two loops).
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –Â
Next DC (repeat the following steps for as many DCs as you need):
Yarn over and insert hook into the loops of the last DC. It’s a little hard to see at first but you’ll get the hang of it once you get going. Here’s a photo to help you… I’ve highlighted the loops you need to insert hook into:
For the lefties:
Draw up a loop (3 loops on hook now), then yarn over and pull through only the first loop. (<—-Look, it’s the magic step again!)
Yarn over, draw through the first two loops. Yarn over again and draw through remaining two loops.
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –Â
To connect for crochet in the round:
Bring your ends together as in the photo, being careful not to twist the row. (This is so much easier to do now, isn’t it?)
Insert hook into top of first DC, draw through, and slip stitch through the loop on your hook. Ch 3 and begin next row of normal DCs (or whatever stitch you are going to do next). When you’re done with the scarf (or whatever), you can use the starting tail to sew that gap together.
How awesome is that?!? If it seems labor-intensive now, just practice. Seriously, it won’t take long before you are knocking out that first row in record time. And notice how NICE that bottom edge is – no more little bumps! Just a beautiful row of loops!
And in case you’re wondering… YES. You can do this with other stitches, such as the Half Double Crochet and the Single Crochet:
Half Double Crochet Chainless Foundation Stitch
First HDC:
- Chain 2. Yarn over and insert hook into second chain from hook.
- Draw up a loop (you will have 3 loops on your hook), then draw through only the first loop on hook. You will still have 3 loops on your hook.
- Complete HDC as normal (yarn over and draw through all 3 loops).
Next HDC (repeat the following steps for as many HDCs as you need):
- Yarn over and insert hook into the loops of the last HDC.
- Draw up a loop and pull through first loop on hook.
- Yarn over, and draw through all three loops on hook.
Single Crochet Chainless Foundation Stitch
 First SC:
- Ch 2. Insert hook into second chain from hook.
- Draw up a loop (you will have 2 loops on your hook), then draw through only the first loop on hook. You will still have 2 loops on your hook.
- Complete SC as normal (draw through both loops).
Next SC (repeat the following steps for as many SCs as you need):
- Insert hook into the loops of the last SC.
- Draw up a loop and pull through first loop on hook.
- Draw through both loops on hook.
Enjoy!
Dear Rebecca
This is fantastic to learn about a chainless foundation, as mine is really messy. I am making a blanket and have to chain 169, do I still need to count or do I go by measurements, as I noticed on one site it said you don’t need to count. If this is the case, how will I know how many chains I’ve done? I will be really grateful for your help. Thank you so much in advance. Jo
The only situation where you wouldn’t need to count would be if you were doing a blanket that only used one single stitch in the first row (all SC, all DC, etc), because a certain multiple isn’t required to complete the pattern and you can just foundation crochet to the length you want it to be. Unless that is the case, you should definitely count.
Thank you for your reply and help Rebecca x
This is great – thank you! Phewf, that’s a far better way to “cast on” a crochet project. I love that I can use the DC version as a double-sided starting seam.
Very easy to understand tutorial. I have been crocheting for a good 50 years and wish I had known how to do this! Thank you so much!
Icannot-tell-you-how-much-I-appreciate-these-instructions.-There-are-many-descriptions-of-a-chainless-foundation-stitch-but-none-compare-to-how-transparent-you-have-made-these-instructions.-Thank-You!
Can you do this foundation with using the slip stitch? I think it would create a less bulky foundation and I was wondering if you could add that to your great tutorials above.
THANK you so much for the great tutorial with the highlight showing where to insert the hook for the second stitch. Perfect!
Unbelievable !!~~~!!
Have been using the single FC but learning this DFC is the cat’s meow. I read four tutes before I GOT IT with yours YOU WIN the Internet today. Many many thanks.
Thank you for these very helpful instructions, I have used them many times. I am now passing them along to my girlfriend.
When I use a pattern that is not written for the foundation row, how do I know whether to chain 3, chain 2, or something else?
Also, can I use the foundation crochet row with a pattern that has both single and double crochets?
Are you referring to the chain at the very beginning of the foundation instructions? DC is always 3, and SC & HDC are always 2.
Yes, that is part of my question. Thank you. Can the chainless foundation be used when the pattern ha both sc and dc in the same row?
Sorry, that’s what I get for answering comments with a baby on my lap 😀 If the SCs and DCs each occupy their own stitches, then yes, you can just alternate between the instructions. I don’t think you’d be able to do it, however, if your SCs and DCs needed to be put in the same stitch.
THANK YOU!!!! I am so glad these are all in one place. I love the chainless, it makes my life a lot easier LOL! Are they a new thing or have they been well hidden from the masses!
Can this be used for a Chevron Afghan? Would make my life so much easier. 🙂
Here is a tutorial for ripple foundation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IJQNeff-UzI
Thanks! Having a spinal cord injury with nerve issues with my hands….. This is a God’s send! I’ve always …. always ….had problematic first rows! They have always look….. How can you say…yucky?!?! Thanks to you my rows now look awwwwesome!!!! ????
You are totally awesome girl. Thank you soooo much for all your advise
you give. This lesson is the best. You make it easy to understand and learn
new techniques Thnk you for all you do. I have been following you for years
and love it. Keep up the great work you do.
Your Friend and fan
Annie
I’m a true beginner. I understand loops, single crochet, and double crochet. But I’m having trouble understanding where to insert my hook where to insert my hook in the loops of the last crochet. Can you help?
“Next DC (repeat the following steps for as many DCs as you need):
Yarn over and insert hook into the loops of the last DC. “