My Three Favorite Foundation Stitches

Are you tired of having to rip out your work because your chain is tighter than your stitches? Or maybe the chain is too loose? Let’s take the guesswork out of gauge and explore three different foundation stitches to find the one that’s right for you! Once you learn these three, you will discover frustration-free beginnings to all your future projects!

1. Foundation Single Crochet

Foundation Single Crochet (fsc): Ch 2, insert hook into 2nd ch from hook, YO and pull through ch. YO, pull through one loop on hook (fc made), YO, pull through 2 loops on hook. (1st sc made). *Insert hook into fc made under first stitch, YO and pull through fc, YO, pull through one loop on hook (fc made), YO, pull through 2 loops on hook. Repeat from * the total number of times indicated (Ch 2 at beginning does not count as a stitch).

2. Foundation Half Double Crochet

Foundation Half Double Crochet (fhdc): Ch 2, YO, insert hook into 2nd ch from hook, YO and pull through ch. YO, pull through one loop on hook (fc made), YO, pull through 3 loops on hook. (1st hdc made). *YO insert hook into fc made under first stitch, YO and pull through fc, YO, pull through one loop on hook (fc made), YO, pull through 3 loops on hook. Repeat from * the total number of times indicated (Ch 2 at beginning does not count as a stitch).

3. Foundation Double Crochet

Foundation Double Crochet (fdc): Ch 3, YO, insert hook into 3rd ch from hook, YO and pull through ch. YO, pull through one loop on hook (fc made), [YO, pull through 2 loops on hook] twice (1st dc made). *YO, insert hook into fc made under first stitch, YO and pull through fc. YO, pull through one loop on hook (ch 1 made), [YO, pull through 2 loops on hook] twice. Repeat from * the total number of times indicated (Ch 3 at beginning counts as a stitch). Now that you’ve learned these three stitches, the Foundation Triple and beyond are nothing more than variations on the same theme! I hope you can now enjoy a frustration-free crochet journey!
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60 Responses to “My Three Favorite Foundation Stitches”

  1. James Anderson

    These are very informative and inspiring for me as I am very new to crochet and am like a sponge soaking this information up. Love it, love it, love it. Thank you.

    Reply
  2. Peggy

    I have been looking for looking for the instructions to make all of the three Foundation stitches. I have been crocheting for many years and have had the problem of my original chain being too tight. Thank you!

    Reply
  3. Gloria Bernard

    Happy Crochet 🧶!
    Omg! I really enjoyed this foundation! I learn the first and it was difficult to find the stitch. Then I learn to go through the backbones of the chain. I will be definitely trying this foundation.

    Reply
  4. Danielle

    I am a beginner and struggle with the beginning of a project, but this helps so much. Thank you for your insight. It is a great help.

    Reply
  5. Sharon

    Makes total sense. Wish I had learned this years ago. Can’t wait to give it a try on my next project.

    Reply
  6. Jen

    I recently learned the Half Double foundation chain and it was different but made a HUGE difference in my baby blanket I made using the Half Double stitch. Excited to see the Single and the Double foundation chains! Loved the video made the process very clear and explained what you are doing and why. Thanks! Totally appreciate it!

    Reply
  7. deborah dille

    I have been crocheting for a lot of years and I have always dreaded the the initial chain I don’t know why I’ve never heard of this thank you so much it will make it so much easier and make crocheting much more enjoyable.

    Reply
  8. Margarita

    Love it! Been crocheting for many years and always just put up with it. Now I will surely be using this, thanks

    Reply
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  9. Rosemary Melanson

    I enjoyed your tutorial and I had hoped I would find patterns on the next page, but it brought me to eBay or mayfair. Why would items to buy be shown on a crochet channel?

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      Hi Rosemary, I do not see another page for this article/videos. Could you provide me a link as to what you are clicking on?

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  10. Savannagal

    What is the point of doing it this was versus a chain or whatever the pattern says? Is it easier? Looks more even? Less likely to pick the wrong spot to work? Stronger? I’m a beginner and have to look online to figure out instructions. I am very appreciative of these types of free videos. Thank you.

    Reply
    • Customer Service

      Hello,

      This is for members to our online community. We do have a $2.00 USD annual entrance offer if you are interested? This would include access to expert advice (like this), plus discounts, hours of Premium videos, etc. Below is the link to join if you are interested: https://go.creativecrochetcorner.com/C37113

      Sincerely,
      Sarah
      Creative Crochet Corner Video Membership

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  11. Toni Maney

    I have been crocheting for several years and never knew you could work both the chain and 1st row at the same time. Thank you.

    Reply
  12. Joanne Siewierski

    I really enjoyed this video. The technique is very well explained! I learned something new, being a beginner, and will definitely use it whenever I can!

    Reply
  13. Mary Smith

    I love what you just taught me. This makes my project look so much neater as well. When I put a border on the blanket I just finished this way made it so much easier to crochet into that bottom edge. And it is much prettier as well. I will never go back to working the first row the same again. Thank you

    Reply
  14. MARIAN FRANCES MCINTOSH

    Really enjoyed your demo. Very clear and easy to follow. Hope you have other projects you can help us with.

    Reply
  15. Audrey Griffiths

    Love these foundation stitches. Thank you so much for posting them. They make sure a nice edge.

    Reply
  16. Tracy Marquez

    Amazing, I have tried to do this foundation stitch on a couple of projects, and for some reason they never seem to look correct. May i overthink the simplicity of doing these wonderful stitches. Genius! Thank for the simple walk through. Thank you for the alternative to simple chain. Thank you Thank you Thank you!!!!

    Reply
    • Customer Service

      Hi Sylvie. Just follow the instructions for the pattern you are using – the foundation row you made takes the place of the first row so you will chain and turn, as instructed, and follow the instructions for the second row.
      Mary Beth
      Creative Crochet Corner

      Reply
  17. michelle blais

    I just turned 75.My mother-in-law tried to teach me 50 yrs.but i’m left handed but she wasn’t so the lessons didn’t go very well.I’ve been quarantined for many months,so this is my lucky day.Wish me luck.I’m very anxious to learn

    Reply
  18. Lisa J Ferguson

    Excellent presentation. However, could you follow up by counting the number of stitches you have made. I have a hard time counting stitches as a beginner.

    Reply
    • Customer Service

      Hello Lisa,

      Thank you for your feedback. I have forwarded your comment to the proper department. We value your opinion, and it will help with the development of our online streaming community. We will continue to listen and work hard for your complete satisfaction.

      Sincerely,
      Sarah
      Creative Crochet Corner Video Membership

      Reply
  19. Catherine Harris

    After doing your foundation chain plus your SC or DC’s is this considered your chain and Row 1? Therefore, after your specified amount of fdc for example, you would proceed to Row 2?

    Reply
    • Customer Service

      Hello Catherine,

      Thank you for contacting us.

      Yes that is correct – one row of foundation stitches replaces the foundation chain and the first row, provided of course that the first row of your pattern was a solid row of stitches.

      If you have any additional questions, please email or contact Customer Service at 1-855-222-0087.

      Sincerely,

      Lindsay
      Creative Crochet Corner Video Membership

      Reply
  20. Patricia Sweet

    Hi really liked how you did this slow. But where would I ise these foundation chains.? On dishcloths or afghans?

    Reply
    • Customer Service

      Hi Patricia!

      You can use a foundation stitch in any pattern that calls for a first row of a single stitch.
      For example if your pattern says “Ch 51, sc in second ch from hook and in each ch across” for a total of 50 sc, you can just make 50 foundation sc.

      So it’s not what type of projects are suitable for foundation stitches, it’s more about what kind of stitches are in the first row of any project!

      Hope this helps – MBT

      Mary Beth Temple
      Creative Crochet Corner

      Reply
      • Karen Y Kiser

        Been doing this stich for 5 or 6 years now. Love to use it when making the neckline on baby dresses, just looks so much neater. Great tutorial. Thank you.

        Reply
    • Shelley Peterson

      Patricia, my local yarn store told me these are great stitches to use for the neck of a sweater or top because they have a little more stretch to them.

      Reply
    • Customer Service

      Hi Cynthia. Yes, the foundation stitches written instructions are the same for left-handed stitchers.
      Mary Beth
      Creative Crochet Corner

      Reply
    • Caron Fenstermacher

      I have been crocheting for years and I never knew about foundation crochet. This is so much easier to keep track of the number of stitches when you are making larger projects! I can’t wait to utilize this method!

      Reply
      • Teresa Price

        I have been crocheting for years and only recently discovered the foundation chain. Wow. What a difference in projects. Thank you for sharing these patterns. I hope others will make use of these early on in their crocheting journey. Revolutionary!

        Reply