How to Crochet a Chain Stitch (Step-by-Step for Absolute Beginners)

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If you’re wondering how to crochet a chain stitch, this is the perfect place to start. The chain stitch is usually the very first crochet stitch beginners learn. It’s the foundation for almost everything: rows, borders, and even the start of many amigurumi pieces.

In this tutorial, we’ll go slowly and clearly so you can follow along, even if you’ve never held a hook before. You’ll get:

• Simple explanations in US crochet terms
• Step-by-step photos
• A quick YouTube Short you can watch while you practice
• Troubleshooting tips for loose, tight, or twisted chains

Once you feel comfortable with the chain stitch, learning single crochet, half double crochet, and other stitches will be much easier.

What Is a Chain Stitch in Crochet?

A chain stitch (ch) is the basic link that builds your crochet fabric. Think of it like:

• The “spine” of your project if you’re working in rows
• The starting base for many shapes if you’re working in the round

Each chain looks like a little V. When you put many chains together, you create a foundation chain that your other stitches (single crochet, half double crochet, double crochet…) will be worked into.

You’ll see the abbreviation:

• ch = chain
• ch 10 = make 10 chain stitches

Once you understand how to crochet a chain stitch smoothly and evenly, all the other stitches will feel more controllable and less frustrating.

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Materials You Need to Practice Crochet Chains

To practice how to crochet a chain stitch, you don’t need special tools. For beginners, choose:

• Yarn:
  • Medium weight yarn (Category 4 / worsted)
  • Smooth, light-colored yarn so you can clearly see each stitch
• Hook:
  • A hook size recommended on your yarn label (often 4.0 mm–5.0 mm for worsted yarn)
  • A comfortable handle if you have ergonomic hooks
• Optional:
  • Small scissors
  • Yarn needle if you want to keep your practice chain and weave in the end

Once you have your yarn and hook ready, you’re prepared to learn how to crochet a chain stitch step by step.

If you’re not sure which hook size matches your yarn, you can check the Craft Yarn Council’s standard yarn weight system for a clear chart of yarn categories and recommended hook sizes.

How to Hold the Yarn and Hook (Beginner-Friendly)

Before you learn how to crochet a chain stitch, it really helps to feel comfortable with how you hold everything in your hands.

There isn’t only one correct way, but here are two common grips you can try:

1. Holding the Hook

Most crocheters use one of these:

• Knife grip:
  Hold the hook like a dinner knife, with your palm facing down.
• Pencil grip:
  Hold the hook like a pencil, with your palm turned more to the side.

Try both and choose the one that feels natural. The important thing is that your wrist stays relaxed and you can move the hook tip easily.

2. Controlling the Yarn

With your non-dominant hand (the one that’s not holding the hook), you’ll control the yarn tension.

A simple way:

1. Let the yarn run over your index finger.
2. Wrap it loosely around that finger once if you need more control.
3. Hold the slip knot or first stitch between your thumb and middle finger.

You don’t want the yarn to feel stuck or too tight. It should slide smoothly when you pull it, but not be so loose that the loop falls off the hook.

Once you’re okay with holding everything, you’re ready to actually learn how to crochet a chain stitch.

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Step-by-Step: How to Crochet a Chain Stitch

Now let’s make your very first chain stitches together.

Step 1 – Make a Slip Knot

1. Make a small loop with the yarn, with the working yarn (the end going to the ball) on top.
2. Reach through the loop, grab the working yarn, and pull it through to form a new loop.
3. Place that new loop on your hook and gently pull both ends of yarn to tighten it, not too tight, the loop should move easily on the hook.

This loop on your hook does not count as a chain yet. It’s just the starting point.

Step 2 – Yarn Over

1. Hold the hook with your dominant hand.
2. With your other hand, tension the yarn.
3. Move the hook under and then over the yarn so the yarn rests on top of the hook.
   • This movement is called “yarn over” (yo).

Step 3 – Pull Through the Loop

1. With the yarn over the hook, gently rotate the hook a little so it can pass through the loop smoothly.
2. Pull the yarn through the loop that was already on the hook.

You now have a new loop on your hook and one chain stitch made below it.

Step 4 – Repeat for More Chains

• Repeat: yarn over → pull through the loop
• Each time you do this, you create one new chain stitch.

Try to work slowly and watch how each chain looks like a small V.
If a pattern says “ch 10”, you’ll repeat this movement until you have 10 neat Vs in a row.

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Watch the Movement in Action (Video)

Now that you’ve read the explanation of how to crochet a chain stitch, you can watch the movement in real time and copy it:

👉 YouTube Short – How to Crochet a Chain Stitch:

Tips to Keep Your Chain Stitches Even

When you’re learning how to crochet a chain stitch, the hardest part is usually making the chains look even, not too tight, not too loose.

Here are a few simple tricks:

• Relax your hands and shoulders
  If you’re tense, you’ll pull too hard and the chains will shrink.
• Don’t pull the loop too tight after each stitch
  After you yarn over and pull through, gently adjust the loop on your hook so it can slide easily.
  If it’s squeezing the hook, it’s too tight.
• Keep the hook facing slightly down
  This helps the hook glide through the loop instead of fighting it.
• Look at the V shapes
  Try to make each V about the same size. If one is huge and the next is tiny, slow down and adjust your tension.

The more you repeat the chain stitch, the more your hands will “remember” the movement for you.

Common Mistakes When Learning How to Crochet a Chain Stitch

Don’t worry if your first chains look messy – that’s totally normal. Here are the most common problems and how to fix them.

1. Chains Are Too Tight

Problem:
It’s hard to insert the hook into the chain later, and the foundation row curls.

Fix:

• Relax your grip on the hook and yarn.
• After each chain, gently pull the loop on your hook a little taller before making the next yarn over.
• Try using a slightly bigger hook for practice.

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2. Chains Are Too Loose and Uneven

Problem:
The chain looks floppy and the stitch sizes are all different.

Fix:

• Keep the yarn a bit more snug around your finger.
• Move your hands closer to the working area (closer to the hook and the last chain you made).
• Practice chaining slowly while watching each V shape.

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3. Twisted Chain

Problem:
When you try to work into the chain, you can’t see the top V because the chain keeps twisting.

Fix:

• While you crochet, use your non-dominant hand to gently support the chain and keep it facing up.
• Look for the top V of each chain and try to keep it visible as you work.

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4. Losing Count

Problem:
The pattern says “ch 20” but you’re not sure if you have 18, 19, or 21.

Fix:

• Count slowly, touching each V with your finger: “1, 2, 3…”
• You can place a stitch marker (or even a small scrap of yarn) every 10 chains to make counting easier.
• Remember: the loop on your hook does not count as a chain.

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Easy Practice Exercise Using Only Chain Stitch

Before you move on from this lesson, let’s give your hands a little practice with how to crochet a chain stitch.

Practice 1 – Chain 10

• Make a slip knot.
• Ch 10 slowly.
• Check: are your Vs visible and almost the same size?

You can undo it and repeat this small chain several times just to feel comfortable.

Practice 2 – Chain 20 or 30

• Make a slip knot and ch 20 or 30.
• Try to keep the same tension from the first chain to the last one.
• This longer chain will really help your hands learn the movement.

Practice 3 – Tiny Bracelet or Bookmark

Use your practice chain so it feels like a real project:

• For a mini bracelet:
  • Chain long enough to wrap around your wrist.
  • Fasten off and tie both ends together.
• For a simple bookmark:
  • Chain about 18–22 cm (7–9 inches).
  • Fasten off and add a little knot or tassel at the end.

Even these tiny projects help you remember how to crochet a chain stitch without getting bored.

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What Can You Make with Just Chain Stitch?

You might be surprised how many things start with just learning how to crochet a chain stitch:

• Ties for hats, bags, or hoodies
• Little bows or decorative strings
• Simple bracelets or anklets
• The foundation for scarves and blankets
• The starting chains for amigurumi accessories

Later, when you learn single crochet, half double crochet, and double crochet, you’ll work those stitches into your foundation chain. So mastering this stitch now will make every future pattern easier.

FAQ – How to Crochet a Chain Stitch

Final Thoughts: Your First Step Into Crochet

Learning how to crochet a chain stitch is like learning the alphabet before you start reading. It’s simple, but it unlocks everything else: rows, rounds, amigurumi, scarves, and more.

Take your time:

• Practice a few chains every day
• Don’t worry if they’re not perfect yet
• Use your new chains for tiny bracelets, ties, or bookmarks

Once you feel confident with how to crochet a chain stitch, you’re ready to try a real toy project. Follow my first amigurumi step-by-step guide to see how chains, single crochet and shaping all come together in your first amigurumi.