How to crochet into chains two ways – at the start and in the middle of a crochet project
In this post, I will share the fundamentals of how to crochet into chains, showing you two ways to work into a crochet chain.
The first is typically used to begin a crochet project, and the second is helpful when crocheting into chains within the body of a project.
It may seem like a small distinction as the two techniques only vary slightly, but it make a big difference to the finished look, helping you to create neat crochet projects to be proud of.
When do you crochet into a chain?
The context with which you crochet into a chain will dictate how you approach crocheting into it.
If you’re starting a project or extending a part of it, then you will, generally speaking, want to crochet into the single ‘back hump’ of the chain.
This method is most commonly used when crocheting into a starting chain, but is also used at other times. For example when crocheting ribbing at right angles to create a hat brim or cuff, or when extending a section, such as the beginning of the sleeves on the Free flow sweater.
If you’re crocheting into a chain within a row, where the chain was worked in the previous row, then you will want to crochet into the ‘top’ two loops of the chain rather than the back hump.
This technique is often used when working filet crochet patterns, underarm chains, some lace patterns, button holes and more.
Note that whatever method you use, the first row worked into a chain is likely to have some twist in it, as seen below- this is normal and will usually straighten out as your project grows or with blocking.
The tighter your tension, the more of a twist you are likely to see. his can be used as a feature in some patterns such as amigurumi.
If you notice you get an arc in your work after working into a chain, it’s likely that the tension on your chain is tighter than the rest of your stitches. Relaxing your tension or using a larger hook for your chain usually resolves this (though you will need to frog your work back).
It’s worth pointing out that these two techniques I use to crochet into a chain do not involve crocheting over the top of a chain, which is something different again (which kind of does what it says on the tin!)
I have included a written and picture guide below, demonstrating each of these methods. I’ve also put together a video tutorial which you will find after the written and photo instruction.
The images are optimised for right handers so if you’re left handed then you will see a mirror image.
Crochet chain stitch anatomy
Before we start, I want to quickly explain the key parts of the anatomy of a crochet chain.
The image below helps you to identify which chain is which, in relation to the hook. This is important to understand as it’s often the terminology used in crochet patterns.
The ‘back hump’ of a chain is the underside of the chain, as seen below. (my top index finger rests on two such humps / bumps).
The ‘top’ of the chain is where you see the two loops which look like the top of any other stitches (below).
Crocheting into the ‘hump’
You will most often use this ‘crocheting into the back hump’ technique when starting a project, which is what I’ve illustrated in the images below.
The last chain made is used as the turning chain and does not count as a stitch. So making a chain of 13 will allow you to crochet a row of 12 single crochets in the purple swatches pictured.
To crochet a single crochet into the back of the chain, you simply insert your hook under the hump, which is a single loop…
… then, yarn over, pull up a loop, yarn over and pull through two loops to complete the stitch.
You will continue working into the back humps along the row as indicated in the infographic below.
After just 5 stitches (below) you can see what a neat and tidy approach this is. It’s super pleasing isn’t it!
When you start a project by crocheting into the underside / back hump crochet of a chain it means that the outer edge, the edge that is seen, looks like the top of a traditional stitch.
This is a really neat way to start a project and should you wish to crochet into the back of the chain, if you’re adding a border for example, then consistently crocheting this way will make life much easier for you.
Here’s what the other side of the row looks like when working into the back hump (again, this is just after 5 stitches):
Crocheting under the two loops
I have continued to work this swatch so that I can also show you how to work into a chain within a project, i.e., working into the top two loops of the chain.
In the swatch, I have crocheted 4 single crochet, chained 4, skipped 4 and worked 4 single crochet to the end of the row (for my 12 sts). I then turned and worked 4 single crochet to take me up to the chain.
In the image below you can see 3 of the ‘back humps’ to the left of my thumb, which now sit at at the underside of the chain.
There are two ways you could crochet into the top of the chain and you can mix and match as they achieve the same result.
Firstly, you can insert your hook under the two loops at the top of the stitch, like you would work into a typical stitch.
However, because you only have the single hump underneath the two loops to anchor the stitch, this can be a bit fiddly.
Alternatively, and what I do most often, you can twist the chain upside-down, put your hook underneath the back hump (as shown in the image below), then you’ll turn the chain back around the right way up, so your hook is under the two loops as with the previous option.
This is a little tricky to explain with words and still images, so if you can’t visualise it, I do encourage you to check out the video tutorials below (they are time stamped on youtube should you wish to skip to the relevant part)
Which ever approach you take to work under the top two loops (I used a mix of them in the swatch as the achieve the same result), I think you’ll agree that it produces a nice neat effect without any twisted chains.
Below is an example of the same method being used when working into the underarm chain in a top down yoke garment.
The picture below shows the first body round being crocheted into the tops of the underarm chain. You can see it has left nice neat back bumps to work the first round of the sleeve into later.
This post includes lots more tips for working top down yoke garments.
How to crochet into chains two ways – video tutorial
Below you will find right and left handed tutorials which demonstrate two ways to crochet into chains.
Right handed video tutorial showing how to crochet into the bottom and top of a crochet chain
Left handed video tutorial showing how to crochet into the bottom and top of a crochet chain
I know this is quite a nuanced look at crocheting into chains, but it’s often the very small things that can make the largest difference to how a finished crochet project will look.
This one is a great foundational building block to learn, so I hope you appreciate the deep dive!
If you’re newer to crochet, you might also want to check out my post 10 things beginner crocheters need to know. Working into the bottom of a chain is included there, but there are also lots of other similar foundational tips which I took wayyyy too long to understand when I was learning to crochet.
If you find this useful, please do share it with your crochet buddies so we can up-skill all the fabulous crochet lovers out there!
Happy hooking
Dx
Thank you so much for this! I’m a mostly self-taught crocheter, and I’ve always struggled with whether or not I’m crocheting into the foundation chain in the best way. I’ve watched several videos that have just left me more confused. This is exactly what I needed!
I’m so glad it helped things click into place. You are the exact reason I wrote this post! 😊
How’s the over-all assembly of your Dora’s Delightful and Dependable Dictionary of Crochet coming along ?
Ahhh… one day!