Sometimes, when I start a project, I may not know how long I want my first row to be. And when I start with a chain row, it stretches, and is not always the correct size. I think it’s hard to be accurate with sizing when starting with a chain row. With foundation stitches, I can make any item and know how long I want it to be, like a headband, crocheted around the head, or a scarf crocheted long ways as well. (Hint: Watch the shop for future pattern releases I’m working on, 😉 )
I also used this method to add a perfectly sized pocket to a pocket shawl! It could also be used to start a hat from the bottom up, or even a blanket. I also like having a good idea of my gauge quickly when working on a new project.
Materials were using/recommending:
Yarn: Loops & threads Snuggly Wuggly
Foundation Half Double Crochet (FHDC)
Step 1: We begin with our slip knot, and then chain 2 (That’s all the chains, I promise!).
Step 2: Bring yarn over your hook, like we do for a half double crochet.
Step 3: Insert your hook into the first chain from our slip knot.
Step 4: Yarn over, and draw up a loop (Still the same as a regular half double right?) Ok, so now here’s the difference: yarn over, and draw through only the first loop on your hook. This is creating the foundation chain for our stitch.
Step 5: Yarn over one more time and draw through all 3 loops on our hook to finish the half double crochet. (In the above collage, #6 is just showing the finished stitch)
Step 7: Now, to do the next one, insert your hook into the chain we created at the bottom of the hdc and follow above again. Practice that a few times while creating your row, and then get out your measuring tape, to ensure exactly how long you want your item to be, and away you go!
Foundation Double Crochet (FDC)
To create a foundation double crochet, its going to be very similar to the half double crochet we did just above, with a slight difference.
In Step 5 above, instead of drawing through all 3 loops, just draw through 2 loops, then yarn over, and draw through the last 2 loops, creating a double crochet instead of half double.
The full stitch works like this:
Step 1: We begin with our slip knot, and chain 2.
Step 2: Bring yarn over your hook.
Step 3: Insert your hook into the first chain from the slip knot.
Step 4: Yarn over again, and bring up a loop. Now here’s the difference: yarn over, draw through only the first loop on your hook. This is creating the foundation chain for our stitch.
Step 5: Yarn over one more time and draw through 2 loops on your hook, and then yarn over and draw through the last 2 loops on your hook, to finish the double crochet.
Foundation Single crochet (FSC)
For a foundation single crochet, the difference happens earlier. Because we want a single crochet, we skip the yarn over, from step 2.
The full stitch looks like this:
Step 1: from slip knot, ch 1
Step 2: Insert hook into first chain, from the slip knot.
Step 3: Yarn over and draw up a loop, then yarn over and draw through only the first loop on your hook (creating the foundation chain)
Step 4: yarn over and draw through both loops, to finish the single crochet.
Quick Tip:
Keep track of which loop is the foundation chain, so you’ll know where to insert your hook on the next stitch.
I also made a video tutorial showing how to do each of the foundation stitches you can watch below. See below:
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Much Love,
