Foundation Stitches: The Chain and the First Row All in One

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Hi everybody!

I was thinking of a new crochet lesson, and finally I decided to tackle this topic: foundation stitches.

Sometimes a pattern may direct you to use foundation stitches rather than a foundation chain made up of chain stitches. Foundation stitches are a nifty way to make the foundation chain and first row of stitches all at the same time. Easily adapted to any stitch, like the single crochet,each foundation stitch is made up of two parts: the foundation chain (which is at the base) and one standard stitch.
Foundation stitches have a few advantages over the standard foundation chain. They’re generally
✓ Easier to keep track of, especially when you’re working a long foundation row
✓ Good at keeping the tension of the foundation chain and first row even and consistent
✓ More elastic than standard foundation chains, making them especially suitable for garments
✓ Handy for making multiple increases at the ends of a row.

You can work any stitch as a foundation stitch, but to keep it simple, I show you how to work several foundation single crochet (abbreviated fsc) in the following sections.

Remember: Each foundation single crochet is a blend of one foundation chain stitch and one single crochet.

To make taller foundation stitches, you need to add a chain stitch to the beginning of the first row and make the required yarn overs as for the regular stitch. For example, to make a foundation double crochet (abbreviated fdc), begin with three chains and yarn over the hook before beginning the first stitch. Make the foundation chain as you would for the foundation single crochet and then work the loops off two at a time as you would a normal double crochet stitch.

Your first foundation single crochet

Follow these steps to create your first foundation single crochet:
1. Begin with 2 chain stitches (2ch).

2. Insert the hook from front to back into the chain farthest from the hook.

3. Yarn over (yo) by wrapping the yarn from back to front over the hook and pull the yarn through the chain stitch. You should have 2 loops on the hook.

4. Yarn over the hook and pull the yarn through the first loop (the one
closest to the hook end) on the hook.
Well done! You’ve just completed the foundation chain portion of your first foundation single crochet stitch (fsc).

5. Yarn over the hook and pull the yarn through both loops on the hook.
This completes the single crochet (sc) portion  of your first foundation single crochet stitch.

Your second foundation single crochet and beyond

After you make your first foundation single crochet, follow these steps to
create your second one:
1. Insert the hook from front to back into the chain stitch (ch) made at
the base of the previous stitch.

2. Yarn over (yo) by wrapping the yarn from back to front over the hook and pull the yarn through the chain stitch.
You should have 2 loops on the hook.

3. Yarn over the hook and pull the yarn through the first loop on the
hook (the one hanging out closer to the hook end).
This completes the foundation chain portion of your second foundation single crochet stitch (fsc).

4. Yarn over the hook and pull the yarn through both loops on the hook.
Tada! You’ve now completed the single crochet (sc) portion  of your second foundation single crochet stitch.

Repeat Steps 1 through 4 for each foundation single crochet you need in a particular pattern.

This video can help you understand more! Just look! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XuFVhhE37Os

Have fun !!! 😀