Curious Kitty: Learn to Crochet: Single Crochet in a Foundation Chain (and how to chain and turn to begin a new row)

Once you feel comfortable with the beginning or foundation chain, you're ready to graduate to the single crochet stitch. This is a nice, tighter stitch that can be created in large portions to create a thick 'fabric' from the yarn, or as part of a design both to accentuate and build the crochet piece.

Later on, when you are working with a large piece as shown below, you will need to chain 1 time and turn your work to create a single crochet. After chaining 1, you will slip your hook into the 2nd stitch closest to your hook and then in each stitch across your chain, or as a pattern indicates.

http://crochet-gifs.tumblr.com/post/48372067411/learn-to-crochet-crochet-gif-tutorials

Right. So if we're following in order of easy stitches and ones it's absolutely necessary to know, the Single Crochet Stitch comes second only to the Foundation Chain or Chain Stitch.

In patterns, a Single Crochet Stitch is abbreviated as (sc). Remember from the Foundation Chain Lesson that a Chain is abbreviated as (ch).

Let's look at the beginning of a pattern using just the foundation chain and its first row of single crochet, and dissect what you're being asked to do.

What we'll be doing in the next few posts of Learn to Crochet is work on pieces of actual patterns to learn your stitches while you actually create something.

To begin with, we will be working with the Shell Washcloth Duo pattern. You can bookmark the page or even mail it to yourself if you want to have it on hand for practice and to follow along with. In the crochet lesson pieces, we'll only cover specific aspects of the pattern in order so that you can continue after practicing what you've just learned.

Shell Washcloth Duo Pattern, Published on Yahoo!, Copyright Phebe Durand

Taken straight from the Shell Washcloth Duo pattern page, you're asked to crochet the following instructions. Keep in mind that this pattern has been written for the beginner so contains no abbreviations. We'll get to them soon enough.

The Instructions:

White Shells Crochet Washcloth

With yarn color of choice (white in the example) and size F crochet hook, chain 31.

Row 1: Single crochet in 2nd chain from hook and in each chain across. (30 sc)

At first glance, this may look a little strange so let's break it apart.

First, obviously, you're given the specific name of the pattern you're embarking on. The second thing to note is yarn color. Let me share a not-so-secret secret ... you're never stuck with a yarn color. Even if a pattern calls for a specific color of a specific yarn, you can choose the color you like and even a different brand of yarn if it is the same type as the yarn called for. In these examples, Caron Simply Soft is used. So you can choose your yarn color and type based off of this information ...

The next thing to note is the crochet hook size. When we get into reading full patterns, much of this information will come before the instructions themselves. For now, we just need to note that the hook called for is a size F.

So we've got the basics figured out: soft 4-ply yarn, and a size F crochet hook. Awesome.

Finally, our last note in the first line is that we start with a foundation chain (ch) of 31. In many patterns, this would read simply "ch 31". To get started, then, we use our chosen yarn and hook and create a foundation chain of 31 stitches.

Next, we see "Row 1:". Whether you are working in rows or rounds, each piece is broken into a single piece that is worked in rows (right to left) or rounds (from the center out). Rows are very straightforward - rounds will be covered separately because they can be done in so many ways.

In our first row, we are asked to make a single crochet in the 2nd chain from the hook and in each chain across. Broken down, this means that since we're working off of a chain, we don't need to chain 1 to turn our work. Instead, we skip 2 chains instead of the 1 chain we will create to turn in every other single crochet situation. So, place your hook through the 2nd chain (the 2nd V stitch) from your hook and create your first single crochet. The first one can be a little tricky - take your time and be patient with yourself. After that, continue on until you have reached the end. You should be able to count 30 distinctive "V" shapes.

Why 30 instead of 31? We started out with 31 in our foundation chain. There's a simple reason: we needed 1 chain to 'turn' our work. This leaves us with one less stitch than our original chain. You will always start out with at least 1 more stitch in your foundation chain than the number of stitches you end up with in your first row. Just make sure you count carefully.

As with the foundation chain, it is extremely easy to crochet your single crochet stitches too tightly. Remember that your hook should be able to slide easily back and forth.

For practice, work the foundation chain and first row. Then, chain 1 and turn your work so that you can work from right to left again. Single crochet in every single crochet from the previous row. Repeat this 2 more times, which will leave you with 4 single crochet rows. Examine your work. You can tell where you crocheted too tightly because the row will be thinner than the rows above and below it. If you created too many stitches, you will notice a bulge at the end of your row. You should also be able to make out each of the "V" shapes created by the stitches clearly and they should also look even - if they're scrunched up you've crocheted too tightly, and if they're wide enough to look like a "U" you've crocheted too loosely. Practice this swatch until you feel comfortable with the single crochet process.

And want a cool hint? The practice work above is generally the same type of swatch you would need to create to make sure you have the right gauge (demystification to come!). So you're actually learning something extra without knowing it ... or you know it now but anyone who didn't get this far won't!

Just so you can get ahead of all the lazy ones who won't want to try the exercise above, I'll even share Crochet Gif Tutorial's tumblr entry on chaining and turning at the end of a row. Have fun!