Foundation Single Crochet, Half Double, Double, and Treble Stitches
You’ll learn about foundation single crochet and other chainless foundation stitches in this pattern and video tutorial. There are many advantages to using a foundation crochet stitch in your work.
For the most part, when we start our crochet pattern, we begin with a number of chains. And then we turn and make whatever stitches on Row 1. For example, chain 21, and skip the first chain. For Row 1, make 1 single crochet in each of the remaining 20 chains. Sound familiar?
If you are following a pattern, it’s very simple to follow and do this. The designer tested and documented everything, including chain count, stitch count, and sizing information.
However, there is a disadvantage to doing this chain thing first. What if you were designing a scarf, and you don’t really know how many chains you want to start with. Or what if the stitch on Row 1 is a bit larger than the chain below it? You may have noticed sometimes your stitches will “bow” or turn inwards or outwards on subsequent rows. This is because your chain row is too loose or too tight. It happens, but there is an alternative that can serve as a solution.
By the way, if you need help with the basics of crochet, please see my beginner crochet videos for both the right hand and left hand.
What is a Foundation Single Crochet?
A foundation single crochet, sometimes called a chainless foundation stitch, solves a lot of the problems. You will create both the starting chain and Row 1 stitches simultaneously. This way, you can create 1 chain and 1 single crochet. Then work your way up to 20 chains and 20 single crochet stitches. Need 5 more because it’s not wide enough? No problem, just make 5 more stitches then.
This is advantageous over the traditional method. With that older method you would make 21 starting chains, and then do 20 single crochet on Row 1. Then you might be like, “Oh no! I need 5 more stitches to make it fit!” So then you rip out Row 1 (and maybe the starting chain too) and start all over again.
But with the foundation single crochet, you don’t have to rip anything out. 20 stitches aren’t enough? No problem, just add a few more stitches before proceeding to Row 2.
What is a Foundation Double Crochet?
As you can imagine, if you can do the foundation single crochet, you can also do a foundation double crochet. With this, you would create a chain and double crochet simultaneously.
And if you can do a foundation double crochet, the next questions are: Can you do a foundation half double crochet and foundation treble crochet? Why yes you can! I show how to do all 4 stitches in my tutorial video.
Be sure to pin the following image to your Pinterest board! Then continue reading below.
Here’s a nice image (or two) to pin on your Pinterest boards.
Nail polish used in this video includes a base of Sally Hansen Matte 017 Rose Flush with a topcoat of Revlon 745 Pink Glaze.
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