How to Foundation Single Crochet (No More Tight Chains)
If you have ever fought with a foundation chain that is too tight to work into, or wished the bottom edge of a project had a bit of stretch, the foundation single crochet is about to become your favorite technique. It cleverly makes your starting chain and your first row of single crochet at the same time, giving you a loose, even, stretchy edge with no separate tight chain to battle. This guide shows you how to foundation single crochet step by step. It is part of the essential crochet techniques.
What Is Foundation Single Crochet?
Foundation single crochet, usually abbreviated FSC, is a starting technique that builds the foundation chain and the first row of single crochet together in one pass. Instead of chaining a long row and then working single crochets back into it, each foundation single crochet stitch creates its own chain and its own stitch at once. The result is a starting edge that is loose, even, and stretchy, which fixes the two big problems of the traditional foundation chain: tightness and lack of give. It is a favorite for garments and anything that needs a flexible edge.
Why Use It?
The traditional foundation chain has two common drawbacks. First, many people chain more tightly than they crochet, so the chain is hard to work the first row into, a problem covered in how to crochet a chain stitch. Second, a plain chain edge does not stretch. Foundation single crochet solves both at once, giving a starting edge that stretches with the fabric and is always easy to work into. For hats, cowls, garments, and any project that needs give at the edge, it is a real upgrade.
What You Need
You need only your usual yarn and hook. A smooth, light colored, medium weight yarn makes the two parts of each stitch easy to see while you learn. You should be comfortable with the single crochet first, since foundation single crochet is built from it. The main new idea is that each stitch has two parts, a chain part at the bottom and a single crochet part at the top, and you work the next stitch into that chain part.
Step by Step: How to Foundation Single Crochet
Step one: chain two. Step two: insert your hook into the second chain from the hook, yarn over and pull up a loop, so you have two loops on the hook. Step three: yarn over and pull through just the first loop, which creates the chain part of the stitch. Step four: yarn over and pull through both loops, which creates the single crochet part. That is one foundation single crochet. Step five: for the next stitch, insert your hook under the two loops of the chain part you just made, then repeat the pull up, pull through one, pull through two. Continue until you have the number of stitches your pattern needs.
Finding the Chain Part
The one skill to master is spotting the chain part of the previous stitch, because that is where your hook goes for the next one. As you work, look at the bottom of each finished stitch and you will see a small chain like bump with two loops. Insert your hook under both of those loops to start the next stitch. If your foundation starts to look wrong, you are probably inserting the hook in the wrong place, so slow down until you can see the chain part clearly. It becomes easy to spot after the first few stitches.
Common Mistakes
The most common mistake is working into the wrong part of the previous stitch, which distorts the foundation, so make sure you go under the two loops of the chain part. Another is forgetting the pull through one step that makes the chain, which turns the stitch into a plain single crochet with no foundation. Counting your stitches as you go, as in how to count crochet stitches, makes sure you end up with the right number for your first row.
When to Use Foundation Single Crochet
Reach for foundation single crochet whenever you want a stretchy, even starting edge, or when tight chains frustrate you. It is ideal for garments, hats, cowls, bags, and blankets where the edge benefits from give. For taller starting stitches, there is a matching technique called foundation double crochet. Once you are comfortable with these foundations, explore more starting methods like the magic ring, and find projects to try in the beginner pattern hub.