Quick tutorial 1: Chainless Foundation Stitch

(Single crochet US/Double Crochet UK)

Grrrrrr. I HATE working the foundation row into a starting chain.

Sometimes it twists, or I miss a chain completely, or the tension's wrong and often it looks a bit odd.

Well not any more.

Not since discovering the Chainless Foundation Stitch.

With this stitch, you make the chain AND the first foundation row together.

I find it quicker, neater and less prone to buggering up. It also gives a good edge to your work and can be easily worked into if you want to add a border.

Saying that, it won't be suitable for everything you make, but do try it.

This stitch works on making a mock-'chain' stitch and then a mock-'single crochet' on top of it.

1. Slip stitch on hook

2. Chain 2 

3. Hook through 2nd chain from hook [see pointy finger in pic 2] making sure you hook through 2 strands. Yarn over, pull up loop. (2 loops on hook)

4. Yarn over, pull through loop ('chain' made) 

5. Yarn over, pull through loop ('single crochet' made)

6. Hook through 2 strands of previous 'chain' stitch [see pointy finger in pic 5] . Yarn over, pull up a loop. 

7. Yarn over, pull through loop ('chain' made)

8. Yarn over, pull through loop ('single crochet' made)

9. Continue from 6-8 until desired length achieved.

It takes a bit of practise to get the hang of it - there are some great video tutorials on YouTube too.