Are you looking to learn how to crochet foundation stitches? Are you struggling with how to do foundation stitches in crochet? If so, you’ve come to the right place!
With them, you can create a solid stitch base that will save time and energy when working on any project.
If you’re a beginner crocheter, I understand how overwhelming it can be to master the basics. That’s why I’m here to help – because learning foundation crochet stitches can seem intimidating at first. But trust me once you get the hang of the foundation crochet stitches, you’ll be an expert in no time!
In this article, we’ll take a look at everything from what foundation stitches are exactly, when they should be used over traditional chain stitches (ch) and their variations.
You can also find links to step by step tutorials for crocheting the Foundation Single Crochet (FSC), Foundation Half Double Crochet (FHDC), Foundation Double Crochet (FDC) and even Foundation Treble Crochet (FTR).
With plenty of helpful tips and tricks on troubleshooting mistakes you will have all you need in order to become a pro at mastering how to crochet foundation stitches. By the end of this article not only will you know all about these amazing foundations stitches but also be ready to start your next crochet project confidently!
What are foundation crochet stitches?
Foundation crochet stitches offer a unique and advantageous way of starting your project. Instead of the traditional starting chain then a row of stitches, foundation crochet stitches combine both steps into one easy process.
These stitches, also known as chainless foundation crochet stitches, create a stable base and one advantage is that the offer both elasticity and stability all in one.
There are four common foundation crochet stitches: foundation single crochet (FSC), foundation half double crochet (FHDC), foundation double crochet (FDC) and foundation treble crochet (FTR).
Each stitch uses a regular chain stitch as its base but then incorporates the basic crochet stitch at the end. This makes it possible to create a stable base before beginning the first row of actual stitches.
The best part about using foundation crochets is that it’s relatively simple once mastered so anyone can learn how to use them quickly! With practice, this skill will soon become second nature – allowing you to have more flexibility and achieving beautiful results every time!
Materials Needed
To crochet foundation stitches you can use any crochet hook size and yarn. If you’re following a crochet pattern, use the crochet hook and yarn suggested to get the correct gauge.
Benefits of Foundation Crochet Stitches
When it comes to crocheting, the foundation crochet stitches is one of the most essential and versatile techniques in a crocheters toolkit.
These stitches are often used in place of traditional beginning chains when beginning a project, as well as to create stable and stretchy openings for armholes in crochet garments such as raglan sweaters, tops and cardigans.
You can swap base chains at the beginning of any project with foundation crochet stitches, for a more stretchy result.
Here are just some of the many benefits of learning how to crochet foundation stitches:
- Stretchy & Square Edges: By swapping to crochet foundation stitches instead of regular chains, you will get more stretchy edges. As a bonus, you can more easily stretch the crochet fabric to block the edges to perfect angles.
- Better Tension: It is easier to get a consistent result and even stitches when crocheting foundation crochet stitches, than with chains. Starting crochet projects with chains, you’ll often end up with flimsy uneven sized foundation chains.
- No Twisted Chains: With foundation crochet stitches you’ll easily avoid twists on chains. These chains can also easily be twisted, especially starting a project in the round, resulting in an even more uneven foundation to your crochet project.
- Getting Started Quicker: Many crocheters feel like working the chains first, then the first row is the most time-consuming part of a crochet project. Especially if you’e crocheting a project with many stitches. By working the chains and the first row of stitches, you’ll feel like you’re getting started quicker.
Beyond these practical benefits, mastering this technique opens up endless possibilities for creative exploration within crocheting!
The Different Types of Foundation Crochet Stitches
Most crocheters have come across the Foundation Single Crochet stitch, which are the most common of the different crochet foundation stitches.
However, you can crochet chainless foundation stitches using the same theory for all the basic crochet stitches, such as for half double crochet (hdc), double crochet (dc) and treble crochet (tr).
You could even crochet foundation stitches for the taller of the basic stitches, like the double treble crochet.
Below you can find written instructions and links to detailed step by step stitch tutorials, with a photo and video tutorial for the foundation single crochet, foundation half double crochet, foundation double crochet and foundation treble crochet.
You can also find the video tutorials on my YouTube Channel.
1. Foundation Single Crochet Tutorial
The FSC stitches is a great way to crochet the foundation chains and the first single crochet row at the same time.
The steps of the Foundation Single Crochet Stitch
- Make a slip knot and chain 2.
- Insert hook into 2nd ch from hook, pull up a loop. Yarn over and pull through first loop (making the chain). Yarn over and pull through both loops on the crochet hook.
- Chain part of the stitch: Insert hook into previous chain you made*, pull up a loop, yarn over and pull through first loop (making the chain). Single crochet part of the stitch: Yarn over and pull through both loops on the crochet hook.
- Repeat step 3 until you’ve made the desired number of stitches**.
*It should look like you go through a resemblance of a normal stitch, with 2 strands of yarn.
*Second chain in step 1 makes 1 stitch, step 2 makes 1 stitch & every time step 3 is repeated you make 1 stitch.
2. Foundation Half Double Crochet
The foundation half double crochet crochet is a great way to crochet the foundation chains and the first row of half double crochet stitches at one time.
The steps of the Foundation Half Double Crochet Stitch:
- Chain 3.
- Yarn over. Insert hook into first chain made, pull up a loop. Yarn over and pull through first loop (making the chain). Yarn over and pull through the 3 loops on the crochet hook.
- Yarn over. Insert hook into previous chain you made*, pull up a loop, yarn over and pull through first loop (making the chain). Yarn over and pull through the 3 loops on the crochet hook.
- Repeat step 3 until you’ve made enough stitches**.
*It should look like you go through a resemblance of a normal stitch, with 2 strands of yarn.
*3rd chain in step 1 makes 1 stitch, step 2 makes 1 stitch & every time step 3 is repeated you make 1 stitch.
3. Foundation Double Crochet
The foundation double crochet is a great way to crochet the foundation chains and the first row of double crochet stitches at one time.
The steps of the Foundation Double Crochet Stitch:
- Chain 4.
- Yarn over. Insert hook into 4th ch from hook, pull up a loop. Yarn over and pull through first loop (making the chain). *Yarn over and pull through 2 loops*, then repeat from *to* once.
- Yarn over. Insert hook into previous chain you made*, pull up a loop, yarn over and pull through first loop (making the chain). *Yarn over and pull through 2 loops*, then repeat from *to* once.
- Repeat step 3 until you’ve made the desired number of stitches**.
*It should look like you go through a resemblance of a normal stitch, with 2 strands of yarn.
*4th chain in step 1 makes 1 stitch, step 2 makes 1 stitch & every time step 3 is repeated you make 1 stitch.
4. Foundation Treble Crochet
The foundation treble crochet is a great way to crochet the foundation chains and the first row of treble crochet stitches at one time.
The steps of the Foundation Treble Crochet Stitch:
- Chain 5.
- Yarn over, 2 times. Insert hook into first chain made, pull up a loop. Yarn over and pull through first loop (making the chain). *Yarn over and pull through 2 loops*, then repeat from *to* 2 times.
- Yarn over, 2 times. Insert hook into previous chain you made*, pull up a loop, yarn over and pull through first loop (making the chain). *Yarn over and pull through 2 loops*, then repeat from *to*2 times.
- Repeat steps in step 3 until you have the correct amount of stitches or have the desired length**.
*It should look like you go through a resemblance of a normal stitch, with 2 strands of yarn.
*5th chain in step 1 makes 1 stitch, step 2 makes 1 stitch & every time step 3 is repeated you make 1 stitch.
Troubleshooting Mistakes with Your Crochet Foundations Stitches
There are a few common mistakes that may not give you your desired result when crocheting foundation chains.
- I can’t find the “chain”: If you can’t find the chain, chances are that you forgot the step after pulling up the loop, where you yarn over and pull through the first loop only. This is the step that creates the chain part of the foundation.
- The foundation crochet stitches seem tighter than the following rows stitches: Foundation crochet stitches often turn out narrower than the stitches you crochet on the first row. There are two solutions, either stretch the foundation row or crochet with a bigger crochet hook mm when working the foundation stitches. You can change back to the original mm hook size after the foundation row. Making a gauge swatch before you start will help you know what makes the best result for this issue.
- Forgetting to work into the setup chain: The first edge may look a bit off if you forget to crochet into the top chain you made when setting up to crochet the first foundation chain.
Ways To Incorporate Foundation Crochet Stitches Into Crochet Projects
There are many ways you can incorporate foundation stitches into different crochet projects.
The most obvious is to swap the foundation chain row, with foundation crochet stitches. To replace regular chains with foundation crochet stitches, you start the crochet project with:
- 1 less foundation single crochet than the number of chains the crochet pattern call for.
- 2 less foundation half double crochet than the number of chains the crochet pattern call for.
- 3 less foundation double crochet than the number of chains the crochet pattern call for.
- 4 less foundation treble crochet than the number of chains the crochet pattern call for.
After crocheting the foundation stitches, you can continue the rest of the pattern as normal.
Another way to incorporate foundation stitches is to swap chains for foundation stitches where you need a stretchy result. This can be swapping chains at underarm on top down crochet clothing like round yoke or raglan crochet garments.
The final way to use crochet foundation stitches is to crochet them use them as cords. Crochet them, then use them as a crochet belt on garments, as string to wrap Christmas gifts or ties on crochet projects that are tied. Examples of ties would be on the Cute Baby Bonnet & Wrap Top.
One way not to incorporate foundation stitches into crochet projects are to swap them out with chains when crocheting chain spaces. The stitches will easily become too bulky and you wouldn’t be able to crochet “into” the space in many cases.
With all the knowledge you now have about foundation stitches, I’m sure you’ll enjoy using them in many crochet projects going forward!
