How to Crochet Into a Foundation Chain
You’ve made your foundation chain, so what happens next?
Learning how to crochet into a foundation chain can feel a little fiddly at first. Unlike the stitches you’ll work later in your project, where you’ll usually insert your hook under two loops, your first row is worked into the chain stitches you’ve just made.
In this beginner crochet tutorial, I’ll show you where to insert your hook, how to count the chains from your hook and how to work your first row into your foundation chain.
What You’ll Need
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Crochet hook
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Yarn
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A completed foundation chain
Haven’t made your chain yet? Start with our How to Crochet a Chain tutorial, then come back here when you’re ready for the next step.
Learn Better by Watching?
Sometimes it’s much easier when you can actually see what the yarn is supposed to be doing. Watch the full tutorial below and crochet along with me.
How to Crochet Into a Foundation Chain
Before you start, take a look at your foundation chain. Each chain stitch creates a small loop along the length of your work. These are the stitches you’ll be working into to create your first row.
Your pattern will tell you which chain you need to start working into. It might say something like “work into the second chain from the hook” or “work into the third chain from the hook”.
Here’s how to do it.
1. Find the Right Chain
Start at your hook and count backwards along your foundation chain.
The loop currently sitting on your hook doesn’t count as a chain stitch. Your first chain is the first complete little ‘V’ directly underneath it.
If your pattern tells you to work into the third chain from the hook, count three complete chain stitches away from your hook. This is where you’ll make your first stitch.
How Do I Count Chains From My Hook?
This is one of those crochet instructions that sounds much more complicated than it actually is.
First things first: the loop currently sitting on your hook does not count as a chain stitch.
Starting with the first complete chain underneath your hook, count backwards along your foundation chain.
So if your pattern says:
“Double crochet into the second chain from the hook”
Skip the first chain and work your stitch into the second.
If it says:
“Double crochet into the third chain from the hook”
Skip the first two chains and work into the third.
2. Insert Your Hook
Once you’ve found the correct chain, insert your hook into the top loop of that chain stitch.
For this beginner method, you’re only working underneath one loop of the foundation chain.
This can feel a little different to the rest of your crochet, where you’ll usually work underneath two loops of a stitch.
3. Make Your Stitch
Now work the stitch your pattern asks for into that chain.
For example, if you’re making a UK double crochet:
Insert your hook into the chain, yarn over and pull the yarn back through the chain. You should now have two loops on your hook.
Yarn over again and pull through both loops.
That’s your first double crochet!
4. Move to the Next Chain
Find the next chain stitch along your foundation chain and insert your hook underneath its top loop.
Work your next stitch in exactly the same way.
5. Keep Working Along Your Chain
Continue working one stitch into each chain, unless your pattern tells you otherwise.
As you work your way along, you’ll start to see your first proper row of crochet forming above your foundation chain.
Beginner Tips
Your first row can be one of the fiddliest parts of learning to crochet, so don’t worry if it takes a little longer than you expected.
Keep your foundation chain loose
If your chain is very tight, getting your hook into each stitch can be difficult. Try to keep your chain stitches relaxed and even when you make them.
Use your fingers to find each chain
If you’re struggling to see where your next stitch should go, gently stretch your foundation chain between your fingers. This makes those little loops much easier to spot.
Take it one stitch at a time
You don’t need to be fast. Concentrate on finding the next chain, inserting your hook into the correct loop and completing your stitch. Speed will come naturally with practice.
Common Issues
I Can’t Get My Hook Into the Chain
Your foundation chain may be a little too tight.
Try gently loosening your tension as you make your chain. If you consistently struggle with tight foundation chains, you can also try making your chain with a slightly larger hook before switching back to the hook size your pattern recommends for your first row.
I Don’t Know Which Chain to Work Into
Check your pattern carefully for instructions such as “second chain from hook” or “third chain from hook”.
Remember that the loop currently on your hook doesn’t count. Start counting with the first complete chain immediately underneath your hook.
I Keep Working Into the Same Chain
Once you’ve made a stitch, the chain underneath it can stretch and look much bigger than the others, which makes it surprisingly easy to accidentally work into it again.
After completing your stitch, look along the foundation chain for the next untouched chain and work into that one, unless your pattern specifically tells you to put multiple stitches into the same chain.
My First Row Looks Uneven
That’s completely normal when you’re learning.
Your tension will become more consistent as you get used to holding your hook and yarn. For now, concentrate on working into the correct chains rather than trying to make every stitch look perfect.
You’ve Made Your First Row
And that’s the tricky bit done! Working into a foundation chain can feel awkward the first few times because you’re trying to find tiny loops while also thinking about your hook, yarn and tension. Once you’ve worked a few rows, your stitches will be much easier to spot and crochet into.
Keep practising and, before long, you won’t have to think twice about where your hook needs to go.
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