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How to Crochet a Chain

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Senior-friendly · preflight + 10 steps · tight-knot / tension / count branches

Learn the crochet foundation chain: slip knot, yarn over, pull through, count the Vs, and keep tension even. Read one step at a time. Start with preflight. Tight slip knot? Slip knot too tight. Uneven? Uneven tension. Lost count? Lost count.

Tips for reading this guide

  • One step at a time. Read the green caption, the Why line, then the bullets.
  • Move on when the green done line is true — then go to the next step.
  • Light-colored yarn makes the V stitches easier to see.
  • Knot too tight? Slip knot too tight.
Illustration: even crochet foundation chain on a hook with yarn

Things You'll Need

  • Worsted-weight yarn (light color)
  • Crochet hook ~ size H / 5 mm (or yarn-label match)
  • Scissors
  • Optional: stitch markers, yarn needle

Where are you stuck?

Start hereSlip knot → yarn over → pull through → count → even tension

Before you start

Preflight — worsted-weight yarn, a matching hook (often size H / 5 mm), and scissors.

Worsted yarn · matching hook (~H/5mm) · scissors.

Illustration: worsted yarn skein crochet hook size H and scissors on a table

Hook and yarn that match make even chains easier for beginners than tiny thread.

  1. Choose a light-colored yarn so stitches show.
  2. Pick a medium hook labeled for that yarn (H/5mm is a common start).
  3. Have scissors ready to finish.

Yarn, hook, and scissors are within reach.

Step 1

Make a slip knot and place it on the hook so it can slide.

Slip knot on hook · loop slides when you tug the working yarn.

Illustration: making a slip knot and placing it on a crochet hook

A locked knot that will not slide blocks every yarn-over that follows.

  1. Loop yarn; pull a second loop through; place on hook.
  2. Tighten gently until snug but movable.
  3. Too tight to move? → Slip knot too tight.

The loop on the hook slides when you pull the working yarn gently.

Step 2

Hold the hook in your dominant hand and tension the yarn over your other hand’s fingers.

Hook in dominant hand · yarn tensioned on the other hand.

Illustration: holding crochet hook in one hand and yarn tensioned over the other hand

Consistent yarn feed is what keeps chain size even.

  1. Pencil or knife grip on the hook — whichever feels stable.
  2. Wrap working yarn over the non-dominant index finger.
  3. Keep the skein from rolling away.

You can yarn-over without dropping the hook or the yarn.

Step 3

Yarn over: bring the working yarn over the hook from back to front.

Yarn over · wrap back-to-front over the hook.

Illustration: yarn over wrap on a crochet hook from back to front

Yarn-over is the motion repeated for every chain stitch.

  1. Scoop or wrap the yarn onto the hook.
  2. Keep the original loop on the hook.
  3. Do not twist the wrap wildly.

There is one clear yarn wrap sitting on the hook above the slip-knot loop.

Step 4

Pull the yarn-over through the loop already on the hook — that makes your first chain.

Pull YO through the loop · first chain made.

Illustration: pulling yarn over through the loop on the crochet hook to make first chain

Each successful pull-through adds one chain stitch to the foundation.

  1. Draw the wrapped yarn through the loop on the hook.
  2. You should still have one loop left on the hook.
  3. That new stitch is chain #1 (some patterns do not count the slip knot).

You have one chain stitch and one loop remaining on the hook.

Step 5

Repeat yarn-over and pull-through for each new chain.

Repeat YO + pull through · chain grows.

Illustration: repeating yarn over and pull through to grow a crochet chain

The same two motions build the entire foundation chain.

  1. Yarn over.
  2. Pull through the loop on the hook.
  3. Keep a calm rhythm.
  4. Stop if the work twists — untwist before continuing.

The chain is clearly longer than a single stitch.

Step 6

Count chains: each little V along the top usually equals one chain — make about 15 for practice.

Count the Vs · aim for ~15 practice chains.

Illustration: counting V-shaped stitches along a crochet foundation chain

Patterns start from an exact chain count; learning to count now prevents ripped work later.

  1. Lay the chain flat.
  2. Count V shapes from the hook back toward the slip knot.
  3. Make about 15 total for practice.
  4. Lost count? → Lost count.

You can state how many chains you have (near 15).

Step 7

Keep tension even — loops should look similar, not strangling-tight or floppy.

Even tension · similar loop size · not strangling.

Illustration: comparing even crochet chain tension versus too tight and too loose

Wild tension makes the next row (later) impossible to poke into evenly.

  1. If stitches shrink to pinholes, loosen your yarn hand.
  2. If stitches look like big sloppy Os, add light finger tension.
  3. Still uneven? → Uneven tension.

Most chains in your sample look roughly the same size.

Step 8

Let the chain hang or rest flat so it does not twist into a spiral as you work.

Keep the chain untwisted · flat Vs facing you.

Illustration: letting a crochet chain hang flat without twisting

A twisted foundation chain fights every stitch of a first row.

  1. Pause and untwist if the fabric corkscrews.
  2. Work with the V side facing up consistently.
  3. Support long chains on your lap.

The chain lies flat without a spiral twist.

Step 9

Practice undoing: pull the working yarn to frog (rip back) and remake a few chains.

Pull yarn to undo · remake a few chains · build confidence.

Illustration: pulling yarn to undo crochet chain stitches for practice

Fear of mistakes slows beginners more than bad tension does.

  1. Pull the working end to open stitches.
  2. Stop at the slip knot if you want a full restart.
  3. Remake 5–10 chains calmly.

You have undone and remade chains without panic.

Step 10

To finish the practice piece: cut yarn, yarn-over with the tail, and pull the tail all the way through the last loop.

Cut yarn · pull tail through last loop · fasten off.

Illustration: pulling yarn tail through last loop to fasten off a crochet chain

Pulling the tail through locks the last loop so the chain does not unravel in your bag.

  1. Leave a 4–6 inch tail.
  2. Pull it through the final loop and snug.
  3. Optional: weave the tail into the chain with a yarn needle later.

The practice chain is secured and will not run when tugged lightly.

Slip knot too tightRemake a looser starter loop

Step 1

Remove the tight knot from the hook completely.

Take the tight knot off the hook.

Illustration: removing a too-tight slip knot from a crochet hook

Fighting a locked loop wastes time.

  1. Slide it off.
  2. Untie if needed.

Hook is empty.

Step 2

Remake the slip knot leaving a larger adjustable loop.

New slip knot · larger adjustable loop.

Illustration: remaking a looser slip knot for crochet

You need room for the hook throat to yarn-over.

  1. Form loop.
  2. Pull working yarn through.
  3. Place on hook loosely.

Loop looks roomy on the hook.

Step 3

Tighten only until the knot hugs the hook — still slides.

Snug to hook · must still slide.

Illustration: snugging slip knot so it hugs but still slides on hook

Snug ≠ welded.

  1. Pull tail gently.
  2. Test slide with working yarn.

Loop slides on command.

Step 4

If it keeps cinching shut, try a hook one size larger for practice.

Try one size larger hook.

Illustration: trying a slightly larger crochet hook for easier slip knot practice

Tiny hooks amplify tight-hand habits.

  1. Swap hook.
  2. Remake slip knot.
  3. Retry YO.

YO is possible on the new setup.

Step 5

Return to yarn-over and first chain steps.

Back to YO + first chain.

Illustration: returning to yarn over after fixing slip knot

Starter loop is only the door — chaining is the skill.

  1. YO.
  2. Pull through.
  3. Continue.

First chain exists again.

Uneven tensionSlow down and lock a yarn-hand habit

Step 1

Pause and frog back to an even section or the slip knot.

Undo the wonky part.

Illustration: ripping back uneven crochet chain to an even section

Building on chaos multiplies chaos.

  1. Pull yarn.
  2. Stop at even stitches.

You are back to an even base.

Step 2

Hold the yarn the same way every stitch — pick one finger wrap and keep it.

Same yarn wrap every time.

Illustration: consistent yarn wrap over index finger for crochet tension

Changing wraps mid-chain changes loop size.

  1. Choose a wrap.
  2. Do 10 identical YOs slowly.

Hand position stays consistent.

Step 3

Watch the loop on the hook — it should look similar before each pull-through.

Similar loop size before each pull.

Illustration: checking loop size on crochet hook before each pull through

The loop on the hook predicts the next chain’s size.

  1. Glance each time.
  2. Adjust yarn hand before pulling.

Loops look related in size.

Step 4

If yarn is splitty or very textured, switch to smooth worsted for learning.

Smooth worsted for learning.

Illustration: switching from textured yarn to smooth worsted for learning chain

Fuzzy yarn hides stitch structure.

  1. Swap yarn.
  2. Remake a short chain.

Stitches are easier to see.

Step 5

Accept beginner variance — aim for “mostly even,” not machine-perfect.

Mostly even is success.

Illustration: mostly even beginner crochet chain that is good enough

Perfectionism stops practice.

  1. Do one more 15-chain.
  2. Stop when usable.

You have a usable practice chain.

Lost countLay flat and count the Vs

Step 1

Stop adding chains the moment you are unsure.

Stop · do not guess more stitches.

Illustration: stopping crochet chain when count is uncertain

Guessing long creates the wrong foundation later.

  1. Park the hook.
  2. Lay work down.

You stopped without adding mystery stitches.

Step 2

Lay the chain flat and count each V from the hook toward the start.

Flat · count each V.

Illustration: counting V stitches on a flat crochet chain

Counting in your hand misses twisted stitches.

  1. Point with a finger.
  2. Say numbers aloud.

You have a counted number.

Step 3

Place a stitch marker or scrap yarn every 5 chains next time.

Mark every 5 chains.

Illustration: placing stitch markers every five chains on a foundation chain

Markers turn long counts into small groups.

  1. Clip marker.
  2. Continue.
  3. Count markers × 5 + remainder.

Marking system is ready for the next try.

Step 4

If you overshot, frog back to the target number.

Frog back to the exact count.

Illustration: frogging crochet chain back to the target stitch count

Extra chains throw off pattern math.

  1. Pull to target.
  2. Confirm count.

Count matches the goal.

Step 5

Write the target number on a sticky note before you start any pattern chain.

Write the target before you start.

Illustration: sticky note with target chain count beside crochet project

Memory fails mid-TV episode.

  1. Note the number.
  2. Check at midpoint.

Target is visible while you work.

When This Doesn't Work

  1. Tunisian crochet and knitting use different starters — this is standard crochet chain only.
  2. Thread crochet with steel hooks is harder for absolute beginners — start with worsted.
  3. Left-handed crocheters mirror the hand roles; the YO + pull-through logic is the same.

Warnings

  • Keep hooks away from eyes when demonstrating to children.
  • Do not leave long yarn tails where pets can swallow them.
  • Take breaks if your hands cramp — tension worsens when you are strained.

Tips

  • Short practice sessions beat one frustrated hour.
  • If tutorials disagree on whether to count the slip knot, follow your pattern’s note — for practice, consistency matters most.
  • Once chains feel easy, learn single crochet into the chain as your next skill.

FAQ

Does the slip knot count as a chain?

Patterns vary. For this practice guide, count the V stitches you make after the slip knot unless a pattern says otherwise.

Why are my chains twisted?

The work is rotating in your hand — pause and untwist so Vs face up.

What hook size should I buy first?

An H/5 mm with worsted acrylic is a friendly starter combo.

Comments

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