The chain stitch is at the heart of all crochet. Behind every granny square or crocheted afghan you will find the humble chain stitch! Although this is a very simple stitch and is used as the foundation for crochet, it also has many other possibilities.

The chain stitch is used as the foundation for crochet which is worked in rows, or made into a ring or loop which is used as the center for crochet motifs and round work.

To make a chain stitch simply form a slip knot and holding the hook in your right hand and the yarn in your left [1] wrap yarn around the hook and [2] pull the yarn through the stitch. [3] This forms the first chain stitch. [4] Continue in this manner to make the required number of chain stitches.

Having completed a row of chains what can be done with them? Well of course chain stitch forms the foundation row for other crochet stitches for instance, Single Crochet and Double Crochet.

The chain stitch has many different applications, for instance making a cord for ties on garments, or drawstrings. The chain stitch can be incorporated into crochet work to form decoration, for instance a simple edging can be making 3 chain in between each stitch in the last row to give a lacy edge.



Chain stitch when worked in a chunky yarn with a big hook can be used to make an interesting scarf! No other stitch is required - simply several lengths of chain in different yarns.

I'd love to hear about other ways of using simple chain stitch - do email me using the contact button below.

If you have any questions or queries about learning to crochet or making the chain stitch - or simply looking to meet like minded people who also have an interest in crochet then why not pop into our very own forum and say hello! (To find the forum use the link to the right or at the bottom of the article).


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