In praise of the single crochet foundation row
I want to sing the praises of the single crochet foundation row. Compared to a foundation chain it is easier to count your stitches, easier to work into on the next row, and I think it's faster than a chain foundation plus a first row of single crochet. If not faster, it's a lot more relaxing. I don't think I'll ever use a foundation chain again. I made the foundation row with the same size hook as the rest of my project. A size larger hook wasn't needed.
You can, of course, make a foundation row of half double crochet, double crochet, and so on. Once you have it mastered, I'm sure you could lay down a foundation of shells, V-stitches, etc. The most I can claim is that I worked some down-pointing picots on a single crochet foundation row.
It's not a new idea. Doris Chan gives illustrated instructions in her book Amazing Crochet Lace, a recent issue of Interweave Crochet had instructions, and I read about it long ago but never tried it. Foolish me. Here's my text only try at instructions:
First sc Chain two. Make a single crochet in the second chain from the hook (First single crochet in the foundation row completed.)
Second sc Yarn over and draw a loop through the base of the single crochet you just completed (into that first chain. You now have two loops on your hook.)
Yarn over and draw a loop through the first loop on your hook. (You still have two loops on your hook.)
Yarn over and draw a loop through both loops on your hook. (Second single crochet in your foundation row completed.)
Third sc Yarn over and draw a loop through the base of the second single crochet (You now have two loops on your hook.)
Yarn over and draw a loop through the first loop on your hook. (You still have two loops on your hook.)
Yarn over and draw a loop through both loops on your hook. (Third single crochet in your foundation row completed.)
Fourth sc And so on...
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About pauline3
About Me:
I'm a long time but sporadic knitter and crocheter. Retired, I now have more time for yarn, hooray! Inspired by all the lovely new designs I decided to concentrate on crochet for now, smallish projects to cut the boredom factor. It seems I can't crochet for long without having to get up and do something, LOL, so it takes forever to finish the simplest projects.
I'm a grandmother, live by myself, dote on a darling chihuahua, and play ukulele with a seniors group.
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I can say without a doubt that the foundation row has made my crochet up to 37% happier!
Hardcore? Hardcore is for babies. I'm HOOKCORE!
Dude. There's another t-shirt. I need to learn how to make better graphics...
Fueling the crochet revolution...
Thank you so much for this great tip. I am re-aquainting myself with crochet and found your single crochet foundation row much better and easier to see than an endless chain! Thanks again.
you are in the court of a prestigious publishing EMPIRE and you can crochet and yet you can't find anyone willing to make graphics in exchange for a scarf...for shame.
I work at an art college, I get all kinds of 'free' help in exchange for crochet bunnies, scarves, whatever.
Hardcore? Hardcore is for babies. I'm HOOKCORE!
Can't get over what a simple idea this is! I started a scarf from scratch on a bus journey through winding country lanes and my tension is perfect. No frustration at missing a chain and not being able to find it, no endless counting whilst making the chain then losing your place and having to start from scratch, and no messy edge. Just a lovely straight edge. *huge thumbs up*
I love this method... Not having to frog 5 rows just to re-chain with an even bigger hook to get the correct tension is just wonderful!
I have to try this! I *DESPISE!!!* foundation chains! They're one of the reasons it literally took me years to really learn to crochet, and also one of the reasons I still don't do very well... No kidding!
CIP (Crochet in Peace)
wahmommy
Hello everyone. I'm new here and was delighted to see this discussion.
I have become a great fan of doing the foundation chain differently. I learned it, originally, in a book on making socks/slippers as a way to make a more 'elastic' cuff. It works beautifully.
Now, every time I see a pattern with a foundation chain for a cardigan, I substitute. It's a much easier way to produce an edge that really doesn't need anything more to complete its look.
The double crochet foundation chain is the one I have used most often though.
Nice to have found this group of savvy crocheters.
Praise be to this wonderful idea! I knew I loved all things crochet related.
Great Tip!!! Thumbs up to YOU!
I tried this last night and totally fell in love with it! I hated the chain row foundation so this is perfect for me. It looks so much better too!
Thank you this is great and I will definaitly be trying it on my next project.
Thank you this is great and I will definaitly be trying it on my next project.
Foundation sc and dc are the best! You never have to worry about twisting the chain and it's nice when you want to work both sides of the foundation (for slippers and such). Foundation dc also makes a nice strap for a small bag. Learn it and it will make your life so much easier.
Just so that I know, does a sc foundation row count as the 1st row when following a pattern?
Thanks,
Chrissy
If you're substituting an sc foundation row for a traditional foundation chain followed by a row of sc in your pattern, then yes, it should count as the first row. If the first row of your pattern is not sc, use your judgment on how to adapt the pattern. If your pattern calls for an sc foundation row, it'll specify all this.
Check out Interweave Crochet and the Crochet Me book!