THE FOUNDATION CHAIN

The Foundation Chain
update c2004 Sandra Petit, http://www.crochetcabana.com

If you haven't made your slip knot, that's the first thing you need to do, so go back to The Slip Knot and learn how. (note: I have recently learned that some people do not begin their crochet with a slip knot, but rather wrap the yarn around the hook in a particular way. I have included this method in the Slip Knot tutorial.)

Then grab that hook and I'll show you the two basic methods of holding the hook which are used by most crocheters. One is the pencil hold and the other is the knife hold.

Figure A

the pencil hold (Figure A) so named because you hold the hook just like you would a pencil

Figure B

the knife hold (Figure B) also named because you hold the hook as you would a knife, or perhaps a tennis racquet or a mixing spoon. (No, you can't go get a mixing spoon to bake a cake. It's too soon for a reward. You haven't done anything yet. LOL)

If you don't use either of these methods are you a bad crocheter?? No way! Well, I can't actually say whether or not you are a bad crocheter, but if you are it is not necessarily because you hold the hook differently than demonstrated here. Everyone has their own method and just because yours is different doesn't mean it's wrong. As long as you get the results you want, then you're doing it correctly for YOU. And that's what's important.

I recently (2006) read an interview with Jean Leinhauser by Crochet Insider where she tells there is an American way of holding the yarn and an English way. I did not know this. I quote: "American method: Left hand holds fabric with thumb and middle finger, directs yarn with index finger.  English method: Left hand holds fabric with thumb and index finger, directs yarn with middle finger."

The basic of every crochet project, after the slip knot, is the foundation chain. So here's how to make one.

Fig. 1

Slip the yarn over and around your hook, going from back to front (Fig. 1)...

Fig. 2

Fig. 3

Holding the piece that hangs down from your hook with the thumb and middle finger (or forefinger if that is more comfortable) of your left hand (Fig. 2), pull the yarn through the loop on your hook. (Fig. 3) If you don't hold that piece, it may move as you're trying to pull your thread through, making it more difficult to complete your chain. If you have trouble, you might try turning your hook slightly downward to catch the yarn.

You have now made your first chain. Yay!
The chain should be about as large as the shank of your hook.

The yarn coming from the skein is lying over your left index finger in whatever position you find most comfortable and which provides even tension. Some people wind it around the little finger as well. You should do whatever works for you. This might change over time as you get more comfortable with the craft.

Fig. 4

Here is a picture of a foundation chain consisting of 8 chains.
Notice how each looks like a little sideways "v".
Important: The loop ON the hook is NOT counted as a stitch.
The foundation chain does NOT count as a row.

I might also mention here that there is a method of working your first row without making a foundation chain. There are many different names for it. The best pictorial I've seen of this is at Josi Hannon Madera Designs, called the Double Base Chain Stitch. She also shows a Triple Base Chain Stitch. This stitch can also be used if you need to do an increase at the end of the row or if you miscounted your chains and just need to add a few stitches at the end of your present foundation chain. It is said this stitch makes your piece more "elastic". I can't verify or dispute this as I haven't used it for a complete foundation chain as of yet. I have used it to work an increase and it works just fine for that purpose.

Now you want to know how and where to go into that chain to crochet your first row.
Next page -- Into the Foundation Chain

02/03/2008

The buttons above were my first at the Cabana. I keep them for sentimental reasons. :-)

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