Crochet tips: Foundation Stitches

Crochet tips: Foundation Stitches.

How do you get on with those chains stitches at the start of everything you make? Do you never seem to have the right number, no matter how many times you count? Do you crochet them too loosely or too tightly? And do you really, really hate crocheting into those stitches?
Well you're not on your own! I first heard about foundation stitches from Tamara Kelly on Moogly. Since then I've found them to be invaluable. 

There are two ways to go about it. So have a go at both of these and go with the one you like best!

Foundation Double Crochet Version 1

   With a slip stitch on your hook,

 chain 2

Double crochet into the chain furthest from the hook.

 

* Placing the hook under the side loop of the double crochet you've just made, as shown...

 

... pull up a loop...

 

... and make your second double crochet.**
 

Repeat from* to** for each double crochet required.

 

Ta Dah!

You'll notice that this method leaves you with a single loop under each double crochet stitch just as if you had worked into a row of chain stitches.

 

Foundation Double Crochet Version 2

 With a slip stitch on your hook, chain2,
 

place the hook into the chain furthest from the hook and pull up a loop.


Yarn over and pull through the first loop only.
 
You have just made the first chain stitch.
 
Yarn over again and pull through both loops.

 You have just made the first double crochet.

 * Place the hook into the chain stitch you've just made...

 

 ...yarn over and pull up a loop... (Loop)

...yarn over and pull through first loop only... (Chain)

...yarn over and pull through both loops.** (DC)

 Repeat from* to ** for each double crochet required.

 Ta Dah!

(I like to chant LOOP, CHAIN, DOUBLE CROCHET, with each yarn over and pull through as I am a bear of very little brain and get easily confused!!)

You'll notice that this method leaves you with a pair of loops under each double crochet stitch. This gives a firm foundation to the row especially if you are going to work back into the stitches.

I will demonstrate Foundation Treble crochet in the next post.

Rach.