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How TO Crochet the Foundation Single Crochet (FSC)

Janne Kleivset
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Keep reading to learn how to crochet the foundation single crochet stitch. The foundation single crochet stitch (FSC) is a great way to start a crochet project.

When you crochet the FSC, you create a chain stitch & a single crochet in the same stitch. Because of that you often find it referred to as the chainless foundation single crochet or the single crochet foundation chain.

The steps for this stitch are quite simple, and once you understand the basics, it is easy to crochet. So let’s dive into this foundation single crochet tutorial.

Find both photo, video & written instructions below.

How TO Crochet the Foundation Single Crochet (FSC)

What is the Foundation Single Crochet

The foundation single crochet is one of the foundation crochet stitches.

Crocheters often come across it when starting crochet projects, where the starting chain and single crochet stitches are worked at the same time as the first row of stitches.

This is a great way to get a more stretchy foundation row, compared to crocheting the foundation chains first, then working the single crochet row separately.

The stretchy edge you get is great in many instances, such as when crocheting the neckline on raglan garments and yoke sweaters, tops and cardigans. But it is also great for anything where you want a stretchy fabric.

Another bonus is the fact that it can make the edge more even and easier to block for projects like blankets and crochet scarf patterns.

A final benefit of the foundation single crochet is that it’s easier to avoid curls and twists when you join with a slip stitch to crochet in the round, as the foundation stitches turn out as a more sturdy cord than the foundation chains.

The steps of the Foundation Single Crochet Stitch

  1. Chain 2.
  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.
  3. 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 both loops on the crochet hook.
  4. 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.

*2nd chain in step 1 makes 1 stitch, step 2 makes 1 stitch & every time step 3 is repeated you make 1 stitch.

Materials Needed

To crochet the foundation single crochet you can use any crochet hook size and yarn. If you’re following a crochet pattern, use the crochet hook and yarn suggested.

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How TO Crochet the Foundation Single Crochet (FSC)

Crochet Abbreviations

The Foundation Single Crochet is often abbreviated FSC in crochet patterns.

Learn more about crochet abbreviations & find a complete list on our Crochet Abbreviations & Terms post.

Foundation Single Crochet Chart Symbol

The foundation single crochet chart symbol is related to the single crochet (sc) and chain (ch) stitch chart symbols.

It is a “x” or “+”, but also has a oval circle representing the chain stitch.

It will be turned in the direction it will lay in your finished crochet work.

Photo showing the FSC crochet stitch chart symbol.

How TO Crochet the Foundation Single Crochet (FSC)

Foundation Single Crochet Step By Step Photo Tutorial

Setup stitches:

1. Make a Slip Knot

How TO Crochet the Foundation Single Crochet (FSC)

The first step of the FSC stitch is to make a slip knot. The beginning tail is on the right.

2. Chain 2

How TO Crochet the Foundation Single Crochet (FSC)

Start with 2 starting chains.

Second chain will count as a stitch, and you should work into that stitch when crocheting the next row after you finish the row of foundation stitches.

Crocheting the first foundation single crochet

3. Insert Hook and Pull up a loop

How TO Crochet the Foundation Single Crochet (FSC)

Insert crochet hook in first chain and pull up a loop.

4. Yarn over and pull through first loop

How TO Crochet the Foundation Single Crochet (FSC)

Yarn over (yo) and pull through the first loop on the crochet hook. This is the chain part of the stitch.

5. Yarn over and pull through both loops

How TO Crochet the Foundation Single Crochet (FSC)

Yarn over and pull through both loops on the crochet hook. You have one loop on your hook. This is the single crochet part of the stitch. You have now finished the first stitch.

Crocheting the second foundation single crochet stitches

6. Identify chain

How TO Crochet the Foundation Single Crochet (FSC)

The next step is to identify where you should insert your crochet hook. In the middle of the picture you can see two loops looking like a “normal” stitch. This is the “chain” you should insert the crochet hook into on next step.

7. Insert hook in “chain”

How TO Crochet the Foundation Single Crochet (FSC)

After identifying the chain, insert the crochet hook.

8. Pull up a loop

How TO Crochet the Foundation Single Crochet (FSC)

Pull up a loop.

9. Yarn over and pull through first loop

How TO Crochet the Foundation Single Crochet (FSC)

Yarn over and pull through the first loop on the crochet hook. This is the chain part of the stitch.

10. Yarn over and pull through both loops

How TO Crochet the Foundation Single Crochet (FSC)

Yarn over and pull through the last 2 loops on the crochet hook, you have now finished the second FSC. Ready to crochet the next stitch.

Repeat step 6-10 to crochet more foundation single crochet stitches. Repeat until you have the number of stitches needed in the pattern you follow.

Foundation Single Crochet Video Tutorial

View the video here or click to view it on my YouTube channel.

Foundation Single Crochet FAQ & Trouble Shooting

Is there an alternative to crocheting the foundation single crochet?

The alternative to crocheting the foundation single crochet is to crochet regular chains first, then crochet single crochet stitches into the foundation chain. Then you can follow the rest of the pattern as usual.

Why is the foundation single crochet stitches narrower than the following rows of single crochet stitches?

The foundation single crochet stitches often come out narrower than the following rows of single crochet stitches. To fix it, simply stretch the foundation single crochets before starting the second row. If you feel the tension or gauge is too tight, try crocheting the foundation stitches with a slightly bigger crochet hook than the other parts of the pattern.

What is a foundation SC in crochet?

The foundation SC, also called the foundation single crochet, is a crochet stitch where you crochet the base chain and the single crochet stitch at the same time.

What is the right side of a foundation single crochet?

The right side of the foundation single crochet is the side that is facing you when you crochet them.

Can you also crochet foundation stitches for the half double crochet (hdc), double crochet (dc) and treble crochet (tr)?

Yes, you can crochet foundation stitches for all basic stitches in crochet.

How do you replace chains with foundation single crochet?

To replace regular chains with the foundation single crochet on a project where the first row is single crochet stitches, you start the crochet project with one less foundation single crochet than the number of chains the pattern calls for as the first row. Then you continue the crochet pattern as usual on the second row.

Foundation Crochet Stitches – Step-By-Step Tutorials

  1. Foundation Single Crochet Stitch (FSC) – this tutorial
  2. Foundation Half Double Crochet Stitch (FHDC)
  3. Foundation Double Crochet Stitch (FDC)
  4. Foundation Treble Crochet Stitch (FTR)

Crochet Patterns Using the Foundation Single Crochet Stitch

Find the patterns here.

I hope you enjoyed learning how to crochet the first row of single crochet together with the chains with the foundation single stitch.

Janne Kleivset

Janne Kleivset

Founder, Crochet Pattern Designer & Owner of Joy of Motion Crochet.

Janne has helped millions of crocheters find their next crochet project with more than 250 free crochet patterns and 110 crochet tutorials on her blog.

With more than two decades of crochet experience, and crochet designing since 2011, she's been featured on multiple prominent sites such as Lion Brand Yarn, in crochet magazines and the OML "Make" book.

Learn more about Janne.



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