A quick video of my favorite way to make a slip knot.
Once you've made your slip knot your ready to start your foundation chain. For crochet, the foundation chain serves as the base in which you will start your first row (or round) of stitches.
Once you've completed your slip knot on your crochet hook, the short end of your yarn is called your tail and the yarn being pulled from your ball is called your working yarn.
B. Chain Stitch and Foundation Chain
You'll always begin your foundation chain with a slip knot on your hook.
If you have trouble making your first chain, your slip knot may be too tight.
A foundation chain is made up of a specific number of chain stitches.
To make a chain stitch
Step 1) Wrap the yarn around the hook from back to front (this is called a yarn over or yo) and draw the working yarn through the slip knot (one chain made)
Step 2) Continue repeating step one until you have completed the desired number of chains for your foundation chain.
See video below to see it done.
The video below shows and tells about:
The tail and working yarn
How I hold my yarn
How to yarn over (yo)
How to make a chain stitch
How to make a foundation chain
a) Counting your chains.
Hold your foundation chain so that you can clearly see your "stacked V's" or "hearts" and count each one as one chain stitch. Do not count the loop on your hook or the knot as a stitch.
If you are crocheting a very long foundation chain (for an afghan or scarf), then it can be very helpful to place a stitch marker every 10-20 stitches.
b) Where on the Foundation Chain do I start my first stitch?
This will depend on which stitch your starting with. The taller the stitch you are working the further back you will need insert your hook.
Single Crochet: Work 1 extra stitch in your foundation chain and work your first stitch into your 2nd chain from hook.
Half Double Crochet: Work 2 extra stitches in your foundation chain and work your first stitch into your 3rd chain from hook.
Double Crochet: Work 2 extra stitches in your foundation chain and work your first stitch into your 3rd chain from hook.
Triple/Treble Crochet: Work 3 extra stitches in your foundation chain and work your first stitch into your 4th chain from hook.
This is generally how it is done but when working a pattern, always follow the pattern.
c) Where in the stitch do I insert my hook on a foundation chain.
Generally you would be told to work under both the loops that form the heart or stacked V's but I find that more difficult than it has to be. I just insert my hook into the top loop of the hearts (just be sure to stay consistent as you work across the foundation chain)
Once you have completed your first row you will want to work all your stitches under both the front and back loops (unless otherwise stated in your pattern).
