⛓️ Chain crochet stitch

The foundation of everything. Your very first stitch. Beginner US: ch UK: ch

Chain has the same name in US and UK patterns (abbreviated ch), so you can follow either without converting.

Video tutorial — pick your hand

Every stitch in Crochets has a mirrored lesson for lefties — no more mentally flipping videos.

🎬 Right-handed video by Fiber Flux on YouTube.

How to crochet the Chain — step by step

Make a slip knot on your hook
Yarn over (wrap yarn over hook)
Pull the yarn through the loop
Repeat — each pull-through is one chain

Instructions use US terms. Working left-handed? Do exactly the same moves as a mirror image — insert the hook from the same side of the stitch, working from left to right instead of right to left.

Where to use it

These are the stitches every pattern is built from. Master the tension on these and everything above them gets easier.

Common mistakes with the Chain

Counting the turning chain as a stitch when the pattern says not to (or vice versa) — this is the number-one cause of rows that shrink or grow.
Working into the wrong loop: unless told otherwise, insert your hook under both top loops of the stitch below.
Pulling the yarn tight after every pull-through — keep the loops loose enough to slide freely on the hook.

Planning a project with the Chain? Use the free yarn calculator to work out how many skeins you need, and the foundation chain calculator to get the width right the first time.

Related basic stitches

➰ Slip StitchJoins rounds and moves across stitches invisibly.✖️ Single CrochetThe workhorse stitch — dense, sturdy fabric.𝗧 Half Double CrochetBetween single and double — great for hats.𝑻 Double CrochetTall, fast stitch — blankets grow quickly with it.

Frequently asked

What is the Chain in UK terms?

The Chain has the same name in UK and US terminology, abbreviated ch.

Is the Chain good for beginners?

It is a beginner stitch — you can learn it in your first week. The foundation of everything. Your very first stitch.

Can I crochet the Chain left-handed?

Yes. Left-handed crocheters work the same stitch as a mirror image — right to left becomes left to right. Crochets includes a left-handed video for the Chain, and its pattern tools write instructions in your working direction.

What is the Chain used for?

These are the stitches every pattern is built from. Master the tension on these and everything above them gets easier.

Learn the Chain in your hand, at your pace

Crochets has 300 stitches with right- and left-handed videos, a pattern designer that writes the pattern for you, and a photo preview of your finished piece. Free to start.

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