Foundation crochet stitches are a useful technique to know that can be a real time saver because it creates a base chain and your first row of stitches for your project at the same time.
In this tutorial I’ll show you how to do the Foundation Single Crochet Stitch. I’ve included both written instructions with a step by step photo tutorial and a video tutorial.
Be sure to check out the list of free crochet patterns that I’ve collected for you that you can use to start practicing this new stitch technique right away.
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Terminology:
In this tutorial, I use the US crochet terminology. In the UK terminology, this stitch would be called a foundation double crochet.
Abbreviations:
In crochet patterns, you’ll often see the foundation single crochet abbreviated as FSC.
Is the Foundation Single Crochet the Same as a Chain?
The Foundation Single Crochet is different from a crochet chain. In this technique instead of creating a traditional foundation chain and then working your stitches into the chain, you create the chain and the single crochet stitch at the same time.
Is the Foundation Single Crochet Stretchy?
Foundation stitches tend to have more stretch than when working into starting chain stitches.
You may not get much stretch in your first foundation single crochet attempt unless you have a very relaxed tension, as many people tend to tense up when they are nervous and trying something new. So if your first attempt at fsc stitches doesn’t have a lot of stretch, it may just take some practice with it.
This technique also doesn’t have as much curl to is as you’d typically get after working your first row of single crochet stitches into a chain.
One of the most wonderful things about foundation single crochet stitches? No more counting chains! You just make as many stitches as you need. What’s not to love?
What are the Different Types of Foundation Crochet Stitches?
In addition to the foundation single crochet, there is also foundation half double crochet stitch, foundation double crochet stitch and less commonly, foundation treble crochet stitches.
When Can I Use Foundation Single Crochet Stitches?
While the occasional crochet project will specifically tell you to start with chainless foundation rows you can substitute this technique in patterns that don’t specifically tell you to use it. If you have a pattern that has a long chain (or even a short chain) and the first row of the pattern is a single crochet row, you can substitute this technique for the chain and first row.
You need to know the number of stitches needed at the end of the first row because when you are using the foundation sc, you create the chains and the stitches at the same time so the number of chains indicated at the beginning of the pattern will be wrong (since there is an extra chain that acts as a turning chain counted in there).
So if your pattern tells you to create a chain of 201 and then you have 200 single crochet stitches at the end of your first row, just do 200 foundation single crochet stitches instead. Then follow the rest of the pattern as written.
What About Working In Joined Rounds?
If your crochet project instructs you to join your foundation chain and then create a row of single crochet stitches, you can still use this technique. Make sure that your beginning tail of yarn from when you create your slip knot is at least 8 inches long so you can use it to join the bottom sides of your FSC row together to mimic a slip stitch join.
Materials You Need:
- Yarn of any weight – I’m using King Cole Timeless Chunky (available at your local yarn store or here on Lovecrafts)
- Crochet Hook – I’m using a 6.0mm (J) Crochet hook
- Stitch Marker (optional)
Foundation Single Crochet Step-by-Step Video Tutorial
How to Crochet the Foundation Single Crochet Stitch (FSC)
Step 1: With a slip knot on your crochet hook, create a chain 2.
Step 2: Insert hook into the 2nd chain from the hook and yarn over.
Step 3: Pull up a loop. You should have two loops on your crochet hook.
Step 4: Yarn over and pull through one loop on your hook. This creates your beginning chain. There should still be two loops on your hook.
Tip: You can place a removable stitch marker in this first chain to help you find it when you’re creating your next stitch. You can move it up each time you do this step to help keep track of where to work.
Step 5: Yarn over and pull through both loops on your hook. This creates your first FSC stitch (foundation single crochet).
For the next foundation stitch (and subsequent stitches):
Step 6: Turn your work so you can see the bottom of the piece and locate the chain at the base of the previous fsc stitch.
Step 7: Insert your hook under the both loops of the chain of the first stitch. Yarn over and pull up a loop (2 loops on hook).
Step 8: Yarn over and pull through the first loop on your hook. Two loops are on your crochet hook at this point.
Step 9: Yarn over and pull through both loops on your hook. This creates your next FSC stitch.
To Create Subsequent Foundation Single Crochet Stitches: Repeat steps 6 to 9 until you have the desired number of chainless single crochets needed for your project.
Remember, you need to create the same number of crochet stitches that your crochet pattern calls for in the first row of the pattern and not the number of chains.
That’s it! I hope that you enjoyed this crochet stitch tutorial and are excited to get started using the foundation single crochet stitch technique!
If you did enjoy it, I’d appreciate it if you took a moment to pin this post to your Pinterest boards and/share it with your friends. This is a great way to help support me so that I can keep bringing you great free crochet content like this.
Ready to learn some new crochet stitches techniques? Here are some other great crochet tutorials to check out next on your crochet journey:
- How to do the Single Crochet Stitch and Yarn Under Single Crochet Stitch
- How to Crochet a Flat Circle
- How to Crochet in the Back Bumps of A Chain
- How to Work on both sides of a Crochet Chain
- Learn some Tunisian Crochet Stitches: Tunisian Simple Stitch, Tunisian Knit Stitch, Tunisian Extended Simple Stitch
Be sure to check out my Crochet Stitch Tutorials page to get a list of other tutorials with step by step instructions for other crochet stitches in both traditional crochet and Tunisian, tips, tricks, special stitch patterns and techniques and more. Happy Crocheting!
Ready to Get Started With a Free Pattern to Practice This Technique? Try These Fun Crochet Projects:
- Tiny Pebbles Ear Warmer
- Juneau Blues Beanie
- Holly Jolly Festive Crochet Coaster
- Ahead of the Curve Throw Pillow
- Popping Posts Crochet Throw Blanket
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