My Three Favorite Foundation Stitches

By Karen Whooley

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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52 Responses to “My Three Favorite Foundation Stitches”

  1. Eileen

    - So glad to view this video - very clear instructions. Thanks so much.

  2. Marilyn Montoya

    Thank you,

  3. Kathy Gaji

    This is going to be such a help! I’ve just started crocheting after many years and the chain has been giving me difficulties. Very clear instruction.

  4. Kathy Findlay

    And that also eliminates the problem of getting to the end of your “normal” foundation chain and discovering you counted wrong and you’re one or under or over for your pattern! Looks great!

  5. Sharon

    I love this method I have been crocheting since I was nine years old. I am now 71 and still crochet and I have noticed I had taken quite a bit of time off while I was still working and now I’m retired that the crochet patterns are different. They are easier they look neater. I love it and you are very good teacher. I appreciate it watching the foundation stitches especially I’m going to try it tomorrow.

  6. 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.

  7. Rebekah

    They finally make sense, thank you . You're a good teacher.

  8. 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!

  9. Mim

    Looks good

  10. Dolores servellon

    Thank you, you explain very good. I try this in my next job.