Getting Started
The Slip Knot, Adjustable Ring and other methods of starting a foundation chain

Slip Knot
Alternative to Slip Knot
Adjustable Ring

Getting Started

Disclaimer: Sometimes when I write tutorials I suggest you chow down on snacks and junk food - I am partial to chocolate.  Now if you are allergic to these items, don't eat them.   I am not responsible if you eat a chocolate bar or ice cream and end up in the emergency room or you gain 25 pounds while doing my tutorials.  I am pretty sure, however, that you'll at least enjoy yourselves, whether or not you learn to crochet! :-) 

The first thing you do in crochet is of course to buy a hook and some yarn. Then you to have to get the yarn and hook to play well together. :-)

There are several ways to do this when you start your project. Which method you use depends on the type of project you are making and also personal preference.

Probably the most common method is to make a foundation chain. Before you make your foundation chain, you need to place your yarn on your hook. To do this, we use the slip knot. There are several ways to make a slip knot and I've included all the ways I know in the pictures below. in that section.

There is also another method of beginning the foundation chain which I recently learned. My thanks to Amie at Nexstitch for putting me on to this method (go check out Amie's videos. I couldn't figure a way to show you this in pictures so my oh-so-brilliant husband (thanks, sweetie!) kindly helped me create my own little video for you to view. Click on the link to see the video. It shows the method of wrapping the yarn around the hook, plus one chain stitch. No audio instructions but there is some pretty music :-) Hey, this is my first effort, but if it works out...who knows? :-)

Alternative to the slip knot video  (Windows Media Player format)

Alternative to the slip knot video  Real Player version

If you are going to be working in the round, you can use the adjustable ring method of starting, or you can make a short foundation chain and join it into a ring. See Working in the Round for more info.

THE SLIP KNOT and other methods of starting a foundation chain
Update c2004 Sandra Petit, http://www.crochetcabana.com

Note: I am right handed so these instructions are written for the right handed person. The Crochet Guild of America has instructions for left handed persons as well.

You'll note that I include two different pictures for some steps. It is the same step, just two pictures with a different sort of view.

Also, please read the tables left to right, top to bottom.

Method 1:

1) First you lay the yarn over your fingers. The yarn coming from the skein is on the left, by my thumb. The starting strand is on the right, behind my fingers	2) Bring that starting strand up and over the fingers. It will again be behind the fingers after you do this. (You are essentially making a circle around your fingers)	3) Pull your fingers out and let the start strand fall behind the circle made where your fingers used to be. Hold the loop at the top with your left hand
4) With your right hand, insert your hook under (behind, in back of) the start strand, going from right to left. NOTE: Alternately, you can just reach in and grab that strand and pull it out, tightening it. Then place it on your hook.	5) Bring your hook through to the left side, so it lies on top of the "loop" you  made with your fingers . Your hook is on top of the right and left sides of the loop and behind the center strand, which is the start strand.	6) Pull on both hanging strands at the same time. That tightens the "knot". then pull on the start strand to bring it closer to the hook. You don't want it too tight or you won't be able to work with it. But you also don't want it too loose. :-) Find a happy medium. (note: if you pull the wrong strand, your start strand will get smaller, leaving you too small a strand to sew in later. You need a minimum of 4" and I would suggest 6" to be sure.

Method 2:

Here is a slightly different method.

Method 3:

This method is one which a new friend, Sheila, showed me. I have Sheila's crochet journal on my link's page if you want to have a look. You may find it harder or you may find it easier. This is not how Sheila explains it, but my own variation. I'm sure everyone has their own method. Sometimes I find hearing something a different way or trying a different method helps in our understanding.

1) Place yarn on fingers as in photo, start strand is on the right.	2) Turn fingers towards center, creating loops with both sides.	3) remove fingers and hold both loops between forefinger and thumb
4) squeezing loop on left, insert it into the loop on the right	5) pull loop on left through loop on right	6) tighten by pulling on start strand, shorten by pulling on strand coming from skein You will then insert your hook into the created loop, keeping the start strand at your right, and using the strand coming from the skein to start your foundation chain

Note: It doesn't really matter if you have the start strand on the other side, just as long as when you insert your hook, you grab the right strand to start your foundation chain. If the start chain is on the other side, you will have to pull on the opposite strand to tighten and shorten.

Step one: First make a loop with your yarn. Doesn't matter which one is on top as long as the strand coming from the skein is there at the left. This is what you will be grabbing to make your stitch.	Insert hook in center of loop made. yarn over with the strand coming from your skein	pull through
Yarn over (different yarn), pull through to make your first chain	make two more chains (for a ch-3).  You are bringing your stitch to height so if you normally do a ch-2 to get to the proper height for a double crochet, then just make one more chain here. This counts as the first dc.	Now you will make your second dc. Yarn over, insert hk into the center of the ring and complete a dc as normal
continue making dc, working around the loop which makes up your ring until you have 12 stitches including your beginning ch-3,	grab hold of the beginning strand, the one you placed behind the strand coming from the skein in step one	when you pull on that beginning strand it will close up the hole in the center. You can pull it as tightly as you want, or leave a hole. Your choice.
join your last dc to your beginning ch-2 or ch-3 with a slip stitch	Here's a view worked in variegated yarn

Now that you have your beginnings, whichever made you did it, you can start your foundation chain.

12/02/2007

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

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