Foundation Single Crochet: How to Video + Why You Need to Learn

Foundation Single Crochet: You want to learn it and you want to master it.  Once you do, you’ll have a hard time convincing yourself to begin a crochet project with a normal chain ever again.  Promise!

The foundation single crochet is useful particularly when crocheting clothing (when the intended recipient is available for measuring). This stitch is also helpful when you’re crocheting a large piece and you’re not quite sure how long to make your beginning chain.

Also if you just hate chaining like me. 😛

Why Foundation Single Crochet?

With Foundation Single Crochet, you’ll continue until you’ve reached the desired length (or number of chains if you’re using a pre-written pattern) and voila! Not only is the length of the piece completed and perfect, but the first row is also completed.  You know, the row that takes three times as long to crochet because it’s tedious and annoying and then when you finally get allll the way back through, you realize it’s too short?  Yeah, that row.  The one that makes me want to throw my hook across the room and crack open a bottle of wine.  Just kidding.  Kinda.

Written instructions for Foundation Single Crochet:

*video below

1. Start with a slip knot and ch-2.

2. Insert your hook into the very first of the chains made.

3. Pull up a loop (two loops now on hook).

4. Yarn over and pull through the first loop.

5. Yarn over and pull through both loops.

First foundation single crochet (FSC) stitch completed!

To make all subsequent foundation single crochet stitches…

1. Insert your hook into the top of both loops from the last stitch made.

2. Yarn over and pull up a loop (two loops on hook).

3. Yarn over and pull through the first loop.

4. Yarn over and pull through both.

Repeat until desired chain length is reached. Yes, that really is it! See the video below if you’re a visual learner…

My favorite part of FSC is that as you work, you are creating the foundation row of your entire piece, and it comes out horizontally (left to right) as you go along.  If you are crocheting a sweater, wrap it around yourself to see how many more stitches you need, or if you went too far so you can frog a couple of stitches and go from there.  If you’re working on a blanket, keep going until desired length is reached and you’re done! Ready to continue on with the fun part of crocheting: the actual crocheting.

If you’re not big into written instructions (it’s cool, me neither) I’ve got a brand spankin’ NEW video tutorial for you below. Ready to give Foundation Single Crochet a try?

More crochet techniques and yarn hacks:

Use Industrial Clips for Yarn Bobbins in Crochet and Knitting
How to Add a Zipper and Lining to a Crochet Bag
Why You Need an Emergency Crochet Kit + How to Make One
How to Read a Crochet Pattern
Yarn Hacks Every Crocheter and Knitter Needs to Know
How to Make a Magic Circle for Crocheting in the Round
Why Size Matters in Crocheting and Knitting
How to Hand Sew a Purse Lining