Crochet Chain Stitch

Make a basic crochet chain by forming a slip knot on the hook, then pulling yarn through the loop repeatedly to create a row of connected chain stitches.

Easy · 5-10 minutes

Tools

  • Crochet hook

Materials

  • Yarn

Safety

  • Use a hook size that feels comfortable in your hand.
  • Keep your grip relaxed to reduce hand and wrist strain.
  • Work slowly at first so the yarn does not snag or tighten too much around your fingers.
  • Take short breaks if your hand feels tired or cramped.

Steps

  1. Step 1: Make a slip knot

    • Hold the yarn and make a loop near the end.
    • Pull a section of the working yarn through the loop to form a slip knot.
    • Place the slip knot on the crochet hook.
    • Gently tighten it so it sits on the hook without being too tight.

    Check: The knot should slide on the hook easily. · You should have a short tail and a longer working yarn attached to the yarn ball.

  2. Step 2: Hold the hook and yarn

    • Hold the crochet hook in the hand that feels natural for you.
    • Use your other hand to hold the yarn and the slip knot near the hook.
    • Keep light tension on the working yarn so it stays controlled but not tight.

    Check: The hook should feel stable in your hand. · The yarn should move smoothly when you pull it.

  3. Step 3: Yarn over

    • Bring the working yarn over the hook from back to front.
    • Catch the yarn in the hook so it is ready to pull through the loop already on the hook.

    Check: There should now be yarn wrapped over the hook. · The hook should be holding both the loop and the yarn over.

  4. Step 4: Pull through to make a chain

    • Use the hook to pull the yarn over through the loop on the hook.
    • This creates one chain stitch.
    • Repeat: yarn over, then pull through the loop on the hook.

    Check: Each repeat should add one new chain stitch. · You should still have one loop left on the hook after each chain.

  5. Step 5: Continue to the desired length

    • Keep making chain stitches until the chain is as long as you need.
    • Count the chain stitches if your pattern requires a specific number.
    • Try to make each stitch the same size for an even chain.

    Check: The chain should look like a row of connected V-shapes. · The stitches should be similar in size and not overly tight.

Back to search
Crochet Chain Stitch0 of 5 steps done

Written by AI, not checked by a tradesperson. How this works

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1 of 5

Make a slip knot

Diagram for step 1: Make a slip knot
Fig. 1Make a slip knot
  • Hold the yarn and make a loop near the end.
  • Pull a section of the working yarn through the loop to form a slip knot.
  • Place the slip knot on the crochet hook.
  • Gently tighten it so it sits on the hook without being too tight.
Check

The knot should slide on the hook easily. • You should have a short tail and a longer working yarn attached to the yarn ball.

Was this step clear?
Step 2 of 5

Hold the hook and yarn

Diagram for step 2: Hold the hook and yarn
Fig. 2Hold the hook and yarn
  • Hold the crochet hook in the hand that feels natural for you.
  • Use your other hand to hold the yarn and the slip knot near the hook.
  • Keep light tension on the working yarn so it stays controlled but not tight.
Check

The hook should feel stable in your hand. • The yarn should move smoothly when you pull it.

Was this step clear?
Step 3 of 5

Yarn over

Diagram for step 3: Yarn over
Fig. 3Yarn over
  • Bring the working yarn over the hook from back to front.
  • Catch the yarn in the hook so it is ready to pull through the loop already on the hook.
Check

There should now be yarn wrapped over the hook. • The hook should be holding both the loop and the yarn over.

Was this step clear?
Step 4 of 5

Pull through to make a chain

Diagram for step 4: Pull through to make a chain
Fig. 4Pull through to make a chain
  • Use the hook to pull the yarn over through the loop on the hook.
  • This creates one chain stitch.
  • Repeat: yarn over, then pull through the loop on the hook.
Check

Each repeat should add one new chain stitch. • You should still have one loop left on the hook after each chain.

Was this step clear?
Step 5 of 5

Continue to the desired length

Diagram for step 5: Continue to the desired length
Fig. 5Continue to the desired length
  • Keep making chain stitches until the chain is as long as you need.
  • Count the chain stitches if your pattern requires a specific number.
  • Try to make each stitch the same size for an even chain.
Check

The chain should look like a row of connected V-shapes. • The stitches should be similar in size and not overly tight.

Was this step clear?

Common Mistakes

  • ×Pulling the yarn too tight, making the chain hard to work into later.
  • ×Holding the yarn too loosely, which makes uneven stitches.
  • ×Counting the slip knot as a chain stitch when a pattern does not intend it.
  • ×Twisting the chain while working, making it harder to count stitches.
  • ×Using too much hand tension and tiring your fingers quickly.

When to Call a Professional

  • You do not need a professional for a basic chain stitch.
  • Ask an experienced crocheter or instructor for help if you cannot control tension after repeated practice.
  • Seek medical advice instead of continuing if hand or wrist pain becomes persistent.

Notes

  • A chain stitch is often the starting foundation for many crochet projects.
  • Practice with smooth, medium-weight yarn if you are a beginner.
  • Larger hooks and lighter-colored yarn can make stitches easier to see.

Related guides

Finding related guides…

Was this guide helpful?

More in this category

View all guides in this category →