How to Crochet the Chain Stitch (ch): A Beginner’s Guide

“When life unravels, pick up your hook and start again.”
– The Wooly Owl

The chain stitch (ch) is the foundation of most crochet projects. It’s the first stitch you’ll learn and the building block for everything from scarves to blankets. In this tutorial, I’ll guide you through creating the perfect chain stitch, step by step!

Materials Needed

• Crochet Hook: L 9.0mm crochet hook – Get my crochet hook HERE
• Super Bulky Yarn: Lion Brand Wool Ease Thick & Quick – Color Blossom – buy yarn HERE
• Scissors: Shop these adorable scissors HERE

Using a super bulky yarn and a larger hook makes it easier to see your stitches and practice comfortably.

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Step 1: Make a Slip Knot

1. Hold the yarn tail in one hand and make a loop with the working yarn (the yarn attached to the skein).
2. Insert your fingers into the loop, grab the working yarn, and pull it through to create a loose knot.
3. Place the slip knot onto your crochet hook and tighten it slightly, leaving enough space for the hook to move freely.

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Step 2: Hold Your Yarn & Hook

• Hold the crochet hook in your dominant hand.
• Use your other hand to control the yarn by wrapping it around your fingers for tension.
• Find a comfortable grip—some people hold the hook like a pencil, while others hold it like a knife.

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Step 3: Yarn Over (YO)

1. Wrap the working yarn over the hook from back to front.
2. This motion is called “yarn over” (YO) and is used in many crochet stitches.

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Step 4: Pull Through the Loop

1. Use the hook to pull the yarn through the loop on your hook.
2. Congrats! You’ve made your first chain stitch (ch)!

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Step 5: Repeat for More Chains

1. Yarn over again.
2. Pull through the loop on your hook.
3. Repeat this motion until you have the desired number of chains for your project.

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Tips for a Neat Chain Stitch

✅ Keep an even tension – Avoid pulling too tight or too loose.
✅ Practice makes perfect – Try making 10-20 chain stitches to get comfortable.
✅ Count your stitches – Each “V” shape in your chain counts as one stitch.
✅ Start over if needed – If your chain is too tight, just unravel and try again!

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Now that you’ve mastered the chain stitch, you’re ready to move on to your first crochet project!