Foundation Single Crochet Stitch Tutorial
Welcome crocheter to how to crochet the foundation single crochet which can be used to replace the foundation chain and first row of single crochet for most patterns.
Kate of One of Kate loves using this crochet stitch and does it wonderfully so we have asked her to provide a crochet stitch tutorial for you below! And there will be an ever growing list of patterns at the end that you can use the stitch for! Can’t wait to see what you make!!!
How to Crochet the Foundation Single Crochet Stitch Tutorial
Originally posted 10 Aug 2019, updated 17 January 2022.
By Kate Hammitt of oneofakate.com
One of a Kate is about one of a kind, stylish knit/crochet wearables with a simple, luxe aesthetic. Whether it be a design or finished make, it’s all a piece of me, Kate. Outside of yarning, I am a pug mom, step mom and racer’s wife.
Step 1:
Slip Stitch
Step 2:
Chain 2
Step 3:
Pull up a loop in first chain made
Step 4:
Yarn over
Pull through one loop
Step 5:
Yarn over
Pull through two loops
This completes your first foundation stitch.
To make the next stitch and/or desired amount of stitches, insert hook and pull up a loop into the chain made from step 4, making sure to go into the front and back loops as you would with a traditional single crochet stitch. Then, follow and repeat from step 4.
Foundation stitches can be used in place of chain stitches for most projects. I like to use them because it can be tedious and time consuming to chain then have to stitch back into those chains. I also prefer to use them since it provides more of a stretchy, clean edge that would match the finished off edge.
Foundation stitches can go to whatever height you need as long as you start off with the appropriate amount of chains and yarn overs. This can apply for half double crochet, treble and double treble.
One of my fave YouTube tutorials on this is by TL Yarn Crafts:
If you like this, you may also like:
Note - This post contains affiliate links, which means I will make a commission at no extra cost to you, should you click through and make a purchase. However, I do not make recommendations for products or websites that I have not or will not use. Etsy , Amazon, and Craaftsy are all places that I have purchased patterns and other crochet items and will continue to. Etsy is also an amazing way to support all of these makers that you find highlighted here and in other posts throughout the VAMICreations website.
Here are a number of patterns that use the above stitch so you can practice and make some of your first crochet pieces!!! Interesting thing about the foundational single crochet is that you can use it to replay most foundational chain and single crochet initial parts of crochet patterns. I have included some of the patterns that call specifically for foundation single crochet, as well as some that are foundation chain and single crochet so you can try your hand at substituting foundation single crochet for the foundation chain/single crochet combination. I cannot wait to see what you make!!
By Katerina Crochet’s Snow Drop Cardigan using FSC to start the pattern.
Of note - there will be no pattern that is all foundation single crochet as this is used in the beginning of a pattern instead of a foundation chain and first row of single crochet. As such you can replace the foundation chain and the first row of single crochet with the foundational single crochet. You will find most of the patterns below from patterns that have a foundation chain and single crochet first row so you can use the foundation single crochet as a replacement. If you have a foundation single crochet pattern please let me know and I will add it to the list. :)
Crochet Patterns that call specifically for Foundation Single Crochet:
By Katerina Crochet has a beautiful Snowdrop Cardigan which is great for all sizes - adults and children and starts with a foundational single crochet.
Crochet Patterns that you can substitute the foundation chain and first single crochet row:
Christa Co Design’s Rossi Scarf
The Hook Pusher's Etsy Store is where you can find all of her patterns to include the ones below and several new ones as they are published.
Not Your Nonna's Market Bag is an awesome bag that you can use for so many different items.
Big Basket SC Pattern is a great way to use your knowlege of the single crochet stitch but now without a crochet hook, all with your fingers.
Big Bowl is a new pattern using the same techniques for SC as the big basket - using your fingers to SC.
Best Donut Ever is an awesome pattern that you can make in multiple sizes and all types of colors! You can make small ones for photography props or large ones that the kids and pets are sure to love!
Christa Co Design - The Rossi Scarf is a SC crochet pattern that you can use to create yourself or a loved one, a gorgeous spotted scarf.
Yarnhookneedles has a number of free patterns on her blog but you can purchase them on her Etsy shop ad free and inexpensive. Most of her SC patterns are found below on her website and a couple of her Etsy Shop.
Jerica of YarnHookNeedle’s Roxie Top Crochet Pattern
YarnHookNeedles - The Easiest Crochet Cowl Pattern only uses Single Crochet Stitches and when you use chunky yarn, it works up incredibly fast.
YarnHookNeedles - Sophia Sweater is using the SC and a chain stitch together to create a gorgeous sweater perfect for fall and winter.
YarnHookNeedles - The Roxie Top is a beautiful sweater you can make using just the SC Stitch and some lace! Yep, you read that right, lace!! It is a beautiful sweater you can work up and have ready by the fall :)
YarnHookNeedles - Easy Crochet Beanie is a great, free pattern that you can use to create a beanie for yourself using only SC.
Save Nine Patterns - Country Flag Blanket has some beautiful crochet patterns that you can create all with single crochet! These blankets are all types of country flags and you have a graph that you can use with a lot of the different stitches in these crochet tutorials to create different size and feel blankets.
FiberandFern - Brie has a beautiful cardigan the Seraphina that can be made using single crochet stitch. It is one of my favorite and I have used it since I first made it.
The Ariel Top by Casale Crafts is another great and fun top to make and great practice for HDC and SC.
If you are left-handed here is a how to crochet the foundation single crochet left-handed tutorial so you can also create these crochet patterns. :)
If you have arthritis or issues with your hands here are some extra tutorials and tips specifically designed with you in mind. :)
One of ItsVera’s yarn rings.
The Arthritis Foundation has an article with specific tips for knitting, crocheting, and cross stitching with arthritic hands. They have specific tips for each craft on things you can do to help make manage your arthritis while still allowing you to enjoy the craft you love.
Every Day Health has an article all about how to knit/crochet with Arthritis with 10 tips for how to keep crocheting/knitting. They even encourage you to crochet and craft with Arthritis because it can actually help you with managing it.
All Free Crochet has a full Crochet and Arthritis Tip Guide for those that have arthritis or issues with their hands complete with information about how to help your hands each time you crochet or craft and tips on how to adjust for your craft based on whether you have a good day or a bad day.
You can also find ergonomic crochet hooks (recommended for those with hand pain to ease it and allow you to crochet longer or at all) among the amazing crochet hook shops of Etsy in an earlier round up of crochet hooks.
Crocheting with one of ItsVera’s yarn rings.
YouTube has several videos where people have discussed tips that have helped them with crocheting or knitting with Arthritis or other health issues that cause your hands and body to be stiff.
Jen B discusses how she crochets in this 3 minute video and shows you how to best hold the yarn and more.
Vera of It’s Vera has over 30 knitting and crochet rings in her Etsy Shop that help with pain and relief for crocheting/knitting/Tunisian crocheting with Arthritis.
LullasJewelry also has awesome crochet rings in her Etsy Shop that are adjustable and help hold the yarn for pain and relief while crocheting/knitting/Tunisian crocheting with Arthritis.
DawnGillDesigns has a number of crochet rings she calls hooker rings in her Etsy Shop and each has a different design you can choose from to include paw, snowflake, flower, star, dot and heart.
Motion Works Blog has an article on tips for crocheting and using your hands despite having arthritis and also gives several stretches that you can do to help your hands while crocheting or crafting.
Laughing Hens has an article specifically about stretches (complete with pictures!) that are great for both crocheters and knitters. I think I’ll start doing these too to help my hands when I’m working on a variety of projects!
Thank you for joining us for how to crochet the foundation single crochet stitch tutorial! What crochet stitches are you wanting to learn how to crochet? I’d also love to hear from you about what types of resources you want more information on as well as Makers you would like to nominate for a Maker Feature! Please email me or leave a comment on this article! Looking forward to hearing from you and have a great day!