Download Article
Learn this beginner-friendly stitch for your next crochet project
Download Article

Foundation single crochet (FSC) is a stitch that combines the chain row and the first single crochet row. Using FSC instead of separate rows of chain and single crochet can simplify the beginning of a crochet project—best of all, it's really easy to learn. With the help of this guide, you'll start the stitch using basic crochet techniques then work the rest of the row using a different sequence. In no time at all, you can use FSC to start your next crochet project and save yourself a little time.

Section 1 of 3:

First Stitch Tutorial

Download Article
  1. How.com.vn English: Step 1 Make a slipknot.
    Before you can start the foundation single crochet row, you need to make a slipknot. Begin by wrapping yarn around your finger twice then pull one loop through the other to make a loop with a knot on the end. Slide the slipknot onto your hook and tug the yarn to secure it.[1]
  2. How.com.vn English: Step 2 Chain two.
    Next, chain two stitches. To do this, loop the yarn over the hook in front of your slipknot. Pull the new yarn through the slipknot to make one chain. Then, yarn over and pull it through again to make the second chain.[2]
    Advertisement
  3. How.com.vn English: Step 3 Insert hook into the first chain and yarn over.
    Identify the first chain made and insert the hook into this chain. Loop yarn over hook and pull it through the chain. At this point, you will have two loops on your hook.[3]
  4. How.com.vn English: Step 4 Loop yarn over and pull through.
    Next, loop yarn over hook and pull it through the first loop on the hook. This will make a chain of one and you should still have two loops on your hook.[4]
  5. How.com.vn English: Step 5 Loop yarn over and pull through both loops.
    To complete the stitch, yarn over your hook again and pull yarn through both loops on the hook. You will have one loop on the hook and you are now ready to continue the row.[5]
  6. How.com.vn English: Step 6 Mark your first stitch with a stitch marker.
    It can be helpful to mark the first stitch in the row with a stitch marker. You may want to do this the first few times that you use the foundation single crochet stitch. Place the stitch marker through the first single crochet stitch.[6]
  7. Advertisement
Section 2 of 3:

Foundation Row Tutorial

Download Article
  1. How.com.vn English: Step 1 Insert your hook into the stitch just made.
    To continue the row, you will follow a shorter sequence than what you used to create the first row. Start by inserting your hook into the stitch just made. If you placed a stitch marker here, it should be easy to locate.[7]
  2. How.com.vn English: Step 2 Loop yarn over and pull through the stitch.
    Next, loop yarn over hook and pull it through the stitch. You now have two loops on your hook.[8]
  3. How.com.vn English: Step 3 Yarn over again and pull through one loop.
    Loop yarn over hook again and pull it through the first loop on your hook to make a chain. You will have two loops on your hook at this point.[9]
  4. How.com.vn English: Step 4 Do one more yarn over and pull through both loops.
    To complete the stitch, loop yarn over hook again and pull it through both loops on your hook. This will leave you with one loop on your hook again and you will be ready to start the sequence over.[10]
  5. How.com.vn English: Step 5 Repeat the sequence to the end of the row.
    Continue the sequence for this stitch until you have the desired number of stitches in your row. You can then continue your project.[11]
  6. Advertisement
Section 3 of 3:

Advantages of the FSC Stitch

Download Article
  1. How.com.vn English: Step 1 Checking the gauge of your yarn
    You cannot get an accurate gauge of your yarn by crocheting a chain. However, the FSC stitch is a good way to quickly check the gauge of your yarn.[12] Make a 4” row of FSC stitches and count them to determine the gauge of your yarn and hook. This could be a huge time saver if you are trying to determine your gauge for a project.
  2. How.com.vn English: Step 2 Crocheting into the top and bottom of the row
    Another great advantage of the FSC stitch is that the top and bottom rows look the same. This means that you can work into the top and bottom rows and get the same results.[13] Therefore, the FSC stitch is a good option if you want to work on both sides of your foundation row. It is ideal for crocheting ovals like the sole of a slipper or baby bootie.
  3. How.com.vn English: Step 3 Not needing to redo the first row
    It is common to miscount the links in your chain when crocheting a large piece, and it can be a time consuming error. You may end up having to start over if you don’t notice the error until working the first row of your project. By using the FSC stitch, you can count the stitches easily as you go and you will be less likely to make a mistake with the number of stitches.[14]
  4. How.com.vn English: Step 4 Achieving a neater look
    The FSC stitch produces a neater looking first row than by making a chain and crocheting into it. If you have noticed that your projects tend to look a little sloppy when you start them with a chain, try switching to the FSC stitch for your next project. This will give better results once you master the stitch.[15]
  5. Advertisement

Expert Q&A

Search
Add New Question
  • Question
    Can you suggest an easy crochet pattern to get started with?
    How.com.vn English: Suzi Quillen
    Suzi Quillen
    Knitting and Crochet Expert
    Suzi Quillen is a Knitting and Crochet Expert based in Granite Falls, Washington. After honing a love of knitting and crochet and becoming a crochet pattern designer, Suzi founded Perfectly Knotty in 2014, an online hub for knitting and crochet learners and enthusiasts. Perfectly Knotty offers multiple avenues to inspire creativity in its customers, selling allergy-conscious yarns and fibers, offering crochet and knitting patterns, and providing stitching support via tips and resources.
    How.com.vn English: Suzi Quillen
    Knitting and Crochet Expert
    Expert Answer
    I recommend starting your crochet journey with simple projects such as scarves and pot holders. Their simplicity ensures that even if your work isn't perfect, these items remain practical. However, if you're inclined to take on more substantial projects from the beginning, consider higher-end items like scarves, shawls, and wraps. These projects often incorporate basic geometric patterns, providing both a learning experience and the satisfaction of creating functional items, even if the final result isn't flawless.
Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
      Advertisement

      Tips

      • If you eventually want to crochet complex projects, it can help to learn how to read crochet charts.
      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!
      Advertisement

      Things You’ll Need

      • Yarn
      • Crochet hook appropriate for the yarn type that is used. Check the yarn label for the correct size to use.
      • Stitch markers

      Expert Interview

      Thanks for reading our article! If you’d like to learn more about knitting and crochet, check out our in-depth interview with Suzi Quillen.

      About This Article

      How.com.vn English: Suzi Quillen
      Co-authored by:
      Knitting and Crochet Expert
      This article was co-authored by Suzi Quillen. Suzi Quillen is a Knitting and Crochet Expert based in Granite Falls, Washington. After honing a love of knitting and crochet and becoming a crochet pattern designer, Suzi founded Perfectly Knotty in 2014, an online hub for knitting and crochet learners and enthusiasts. Perfectly Knotty offers multiple avenues to inspire creativity in its customers, selling allergy-conscious yarns and fibers, offering crochet and knitting patterns, and providing stitching support via tips and resources. This article has been viewed 78,601 times.
      1 votes - 100%
      Co-authors: 9
      Updated: January 16, 2024
      Views: 78,601
      Article SummaryX

      To foundation single crochet, start by making a slipknot, then chain 2 stitches. Next, insert the hook into the first chain, yarn over, and pull it through. Loop the yarn over and pull through the first loop on your hook before looping over again and pulling through both loops. To continue the row, put the hook in the stitch you just made, loop the yarn over and pull through the stitch, yarn over and pull through 1 loop, and yarn over and pull through 2 loops. Repeat this process until you're at the end. To learn about the advantages of foundation single crochet, such as a neater look, read on!

      Did this summary help you?

      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 78,601 times.

      Reader Success Stories

      • How.com.vn English: Jane Eyre

        Jane Eyre

        Sep 17, 2021

        "For beginners the pictures were terrific and so easy to follow. Thank you very much. You did not have to speak..." more
      Share your story

      Did this article help you?

      ⚠️ Disclaimer:

      Content from Wiki How English language website. Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike License; additional terms may apply.
      Wiki How does not encourage the violation of any laws, and cannot be responsible for any violations of such laws, should you link to this domain, or use, reproduce, or republish the information contained herein.

      Notices:
      • - A few of these subjects are frequently censored by educational, governmental, corporate, parental and other filtering schemes.
      • - Some articles may contain names, images, artworks or descriptions of events that some cultures restrict access to
      • - Please note: Wiki How does not give you opinion about the law, or advice about medical. If you need specific advice (for example, medical, legal, financial or risk management), please seek a professional who is licensed or knowledgeable in that area.
      • - Readers should not judge the importance of topics based on their coverage on Wiki How, nor think a topic is important just because it is the subject of a Wiki article.

      Advertisement