Foundation Chain, the ultimate solution.

 I've written a lot about foundation chains because I hate them. I am really hoping that this will be my final post on the subject. I may just have found the perfect solution!

 Previously I've suggested;

• That you try using a larger hook, but this hasn't always worked for me 
• That you try holding your hook in a different position
• That you work Foundation Double crochet [Sc-USA] (here)
• That you work Foundation Treble crochet [Dc-USA] (here)
• That you try an alternative edging (here)
  

Foundation Double Crochet is now like second nature for me but if you are working a lacy stitch it's just not going to work. Remember my post about Tatted Picots and Half Hitches? (here) Well in there lies the solution to all our frustrations. We're going to make Half Hitches!

You won't believe how simple it is. 

Start with a slip knot on your hook,

 

1. Take the back loop of the working yarn as it falls over your finger and allow the loop to fall onto the hook.

2. Pull the loop taught, this is a half hitch or forward loop.

3. Now yarn over and pull through both loops on the hook. You may find it helps to hold the base of your loops, just under the hook, as you pull through.

That's your first forward loop chain stitch made.

Repeat steps 1-3 for each chain stitch required. It takes a little longer than making chain stitches but is so much quicker than making foundation stitches.

Now we have a choice of where to place our first row of stitches.

The top, blue row of stitches above shows the chain as it comes off the hook. If you rotate it so that the chain stitches are on the bottom edge (brown, middle row) you will see a row of 'bumps'. Or you can rotate so that the chain stitches are on the top edge (turquoise, bottom row).

Placing the hook under the 'bumps' leaves a row of chain stitches at the bottom.

Alternatively you can turn the chain stitches to the top edge so that the bumps are now on the bottom and place the hook in the same space.

This gives a different look.

A third option is to place the hook into the middle of the chain stitches as you would do normally.

This is my least favourite choice.

 

Each of these swatches is made with the same size hook. But in practice a smaller hook size may work better for the forward loop foundation chain. 

For this lace panel I used a smaller hook for the foundation and one size larger for the lace. I placed my first row of stitches into the back bumps. I hope you find this technique as useful as I do!

Fastening off...