Crochet Tutorial: Foundation Chain

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Are you familiar with the Foundation Chain?

If you aren’t, then you’ve come to the right place to see how a foundation chain is made in a picture and video tutorial!

The foundation chain can be used as a substitute for a standard chain by making a thicker and possibly stretchier chain (depending on the yarn, of course). It combines the steps of working slip stitches in a chain, and much like other foundation stitches, it saves you time.

Top: foundation chain; Center: Slip stitches worked in chains; Bottom: Chain

There are so many options that the foundation chain can be used for, such as laces for store-bought and crochet clothing, a wrist strap for crochet zipper pouches, and a chunky version makes for a great purse strap on a small crossbody bag.

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Multiples needed for the stitch

Stitch multiples can seem scary at times, especially long ones, but no worries about any of that with the foundation chain!

There are no stitch multiples required to make a foundation chain, as you can make as many as needed for any project that has a chain that is not required to begin a crochet project.

Techniques and Abbreviations Used:

ch: chain

fch: foundation chain

st: stitch(es)

YO: yarn over

Supplies Used:

Wool and the Gang Cotton XL

Furls Crochet Pink Odyssey, size K (6.50 mm)

Written Instructions

  • Make a slip knot and place on hook; ch 1 (counts as first fch)
  • Working under back bump, insert hook, YO and pull up a loop (ch made)
  • YO, pull through 2 loops. Second fch made.
  • Working under both loops of last ch made, insert hook, YO and pull up a loop
  • YO, pull through 2 loops. Next fch made
  • Repeat last two steps until desired length, or as instructed

Patterns You May Like

  1. X-capade Poncho 2. Mo’Rockin’ Sunrise Ponchette 3. Braided Breeze Necklace + Belt

Check out the video below on how to make fch

That’s all there is to making the foundation chain! It creates a neat top and bottom, like other foundation stitches. Have fun using it in many crochet projects.

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The foundation chain crochet tutorial is a great alternative to the standard chain or working slip stitches in a chain. It can be used for ties, belts and more.

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This pattern is not to be duplicated or resold, and not to be reproduced commercially. You may sell finished products on Etsy, at farmers markets, and craft fairs, but please credit Creations By Courtney as the pattern’s author.

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7 Responses

  1. These Foundation sts are my stumbling blocks, still years later, I know I’m not alone. Thanks Courtney for the video and written in ONE post, lol. I will try, try, keep trying to master it, and practice here 🙂

    1. Hi Kelly,

      I’m glad that you have found this tutorial helpful. Let me know if there are any other tutorials you would like to see. And I can’t wait to hear that you have mastered foundation stitches!

  2. Wow, I thought I knew how to do this but I wasn’t going through TWO loops when I went to make each new FSC! This really is a CLEAR video tutorial! I love the way you broke it down into each little part and I also think inserting the brightly colored needle into exactly where the next step/Stitch is going is perfect. Many thanks!

    1. I’m glad that you found it helpful. I think I will create a few more tutorials for other foundation stitches, since the foundation chain in this way is different. Maybe I should call it chainless foundation chain… LOL

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