How to Start a Crochet Chain
You have a hook, a ball of yarn, and maybe a child beside you asking when it will turn into a toy. But the first loop keeps shrinking, the hook keeps catching, and it is hard to tell what you are supposed to count. Almost everyone starts here. Crochet begins with one small movement, and you can learn it in a few minutes.
Quick Answer
To start a crochet chain, make a slip knot and put it on your hook. Bring the yarn over the hook, catch it, and pull it through the loop on the hook. That is one chain. Repeat until you have the number you need. Do not count the slip knot or the loop on the hook. Each finished V is one chain.
Table of Contents
- What you need
- How to start a crochet chain
- How to count your chains
- Fix a twisted, tight or loose chain
- What comes next
- Frequently asked questions
What You Need
All you need is a crochet hook and yarn. A smooth, light‑colored, medium‑weight yarn is the easiest to learn with because you can see each stitch. Check the yarn label for a suggested hook size and start there. A smaller hook will not make learning easier.
A few words will help before you begin:
| Term | What it means |
|---|---|
| Tail | The short loose end of the yarn |
| Working yarn | The strand that leads back to the ball |
| Slip knot | The adjustable loop that attaches the yarn to the hook. It is not counted as a stitch |
| Chain (ch) | One yarn over and one pull‑through, which leaves a V shape |
| Working loop | The loop left on your hook after each chain. It is not counted either |
How to Start a Crochet Chain
- Make a loop. Pull out some yarn from the ball and make a loop, with the tail hanging behind it.
- Make the slip knot. Pull a little of the working yarn through that loop to make a new loop. Slide it onto your hook and tighten gently. It should sit snugly but still slide along the hook.
- Find your grip. Hold the hook in your dominant hand. With your other hand, pinch the knot just below the hook and guide the working yarn with light, steady tension.
- Yarn over. Bring the working yarn over the hook from back to front so it settles into the hook's groove. Make sure you caught the strand leading to the ball and not the tail.
- Pull through. Turn the hook so it holds the yarn, then draw the yarn through the loop on the hook. You just made one chain. A new loop is on your hook, and the finished stitch sits below it as a V.
- Repeat. Yarn over and pull through again. Move your pinching fingers up the chain every few stitches so you are always holding close to the hook.
If you are teaching a child, let them finish one movement before you offer the next cue. "Over, catch, pull through" is plenty to remember. If they would like to know where this is heading, our beginner crochet guide for kids is a good next read.
How to Count Your Chains
This is where most beginners lose track. The slip knot does not count, and neither does the loop on your hook. Each finished V counts as one chain. So if a pattern asks for 15 chains, you make 15 Vs after the slip knot.
Lay the chain flat with the Vs facing up. Start at the slip knot and touch each V with a fingertip as you count toward the hook. The stitch you can point to below the hook counts. The loop still sitting on the hook does not.
For longer chains, place a stitch marker every 10 stitches so you never have to start over. And if you have the wrong number:
- Too many: slide out the hook, gently pull the yarn to undo the extras, and put the hook back in the loop.
- Too few: just add the missing chains.
- Not sure: lay it down and count again rather than guessing.
Fix a Twisted, Tight or Loose Chain
Lay your chain on the table without stretching it. You are looking for a flat, braid‑like strip with the Vs facing the same way.
| What you see | Likely cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Vs point in different directions | The chain flipped as you worked | Straighten it gently first. It may just need turning over |
| Tight, curled chain | Holding the yarn too tightly | Relax your grip, or make the chain with a larger hook |
| Wobbly, uneven loops | Tension too loose | Hold the yarn a little closer to the hook and keep it steady |
| Hook catches or splits the yarn | The yarn is not sitting in the hook's groove | Back out gently, catch the whole strand and turn the hook as you pull |
Undoing a practice chain is not a failure. It only takes a second, and it is a good way to try a looser grip. Your chain does not need to look machine‑made. If you can see the Vs, count them and get your hook through them, it is doing its job.
What Comes Next
Most flat patterns work the first row into a chain like this one, so count again before you begin and read the pattern's next line. It will tell you where to put your hook.
Crocheted toys often work differently. Amigurumi is usually made in rounds rather than rows, and many patterns start with a magic ring. Our crochet kits come with the first rounds already started, so you will not need a long chain to begin. You will still make a single chain at the start of each round, so this is a useful stitch to practice. To compare options, see our guides to beginner crochet kits and amigurumi kits for beginners.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the slip knot count as a chain?
No. The slip knot just attaches the yarn to the hook. Start counting with the first V you make after it.
Does the loop on the hook count?
No. That is your working loop. Only the finished Vs below it count.
Why is my crochet chain so tight?
It usually means your grip on the yarn is too firm. Loosen your hold, or use a larger hook for the chain and then switch back to the pattern's hook for the next row.
How do I fix a twisted chain?
Lay it flat and gently turn it so the Vs all face up. A short chain can flip over easily. If it stays twisted, pull it out and start again.
What yarn and hook should a beginner use?
A smooth, light‑colored, medium‑weight yarn is easiest to see, along with the hook size listed on the yarn label.
Can I undo a crochet chain?
Yes. Slide the hook out of the loop and gently pull the working yarn. The stitches will come out one at a time.
Ready to make something? The Chirpy Chick Crochet Kit comes pre‑started, with tube yarn, a hook, and printed and video instructions.
