Now that you have your materials and have an idea of how to hold your hook and your yarn, it is time to learn to tie a slip knot and crochet the chain stitch.
How to Tie a Slip Knot
The slip knot is the first thing you will do for just about every crochet project out there.
The beauty of the slip knot is that it is adjustable and it easily comes out if you need to start over. Regular knots will damage your yarn and are a royal pain to get out!
There are a bunch of different ways to tie a slip knot, so if the one I show you just doesn’t work for you, then be sure to check out some other options.
Some people use their hook to help them make their slip knot and others just use their hands or lay the yarn out on the table. I always make my slip knot first and then insert my hook and adjust the size of the loop.
Slip Knot Step 1
Lay your yarn out in a line and then drape a loop over the top of the line.
Slip Knot Step 2
Push a loop up underneath the first loop you draped over.
Slip Knot Step 3
Fully pull the loop you just pushed through the first loop.
Slip Knot Step 4
Pull on loop and end of yarn to tighten the slip knot. Insert your hook in the loop and adjust the loop size to fit your hook.
How to Crochet a Chain Stitch
The chain stitch is one of the main foundation stitches of crochet. The majority of crochet projects will include a chain stitch somewhere.
Most crochet projects start with a length of chain stitches to create what is called the foundation chain. It is the foundation of your project and you will work your other stitches into this foundation chain.
As you grow in your craft, you will see your foundation chain become more consistent and even. Practice, practice, practice! Make some bracelets, have fun!
Chain Stitch Step 1
Insert your hook into the slip knot loop. Push hook through the loop and loop the yarn over the hook.
Chain Stitch Step 2
Yarn over the hook and then pull the yarn through the loop to make one chain stitch.
Chain Stitch Step 3
Grab the yarn on the stitch you just made and then go back to step 1 to yarn over and then pull through the chain loop you made the first time. Each time you pull the yarn through the loop, that is one chain stitch.
In this photo below, there are 5 chain stitches.
Now, practice the slip knot and foundation chain to work on getting used to holding your hook and yarn and working on the tension and consistency.
This time in your crochet journey is to start gaining confidence and practicing to learn how to make consistent stitches. Don’t stress if one looks big and the next one is too tight…just frog it and try again.
Soon you will be chaining for miles!
Ready to Try a Chain Stitch Project?
Head over to our Crochet Chain Pumpkins and give it a try! Or maybe you can get ready for the holidays with the Crochet Chain Christmas Trees project?
