Turning Chains

📚 What you’ll learn

How to start a new row with the correct number of chains and keep edges straight.

🎥 Watch

‣

Right handed

‣

Left handed

📋 Instructions

At the end of a row, turn your work. Rotate your piece so the hook is ready to begin the new row.
Make a turning chain. This chain adds height and creates space for your next row. Each stitch has a different height, so the number of chains in your turning chain ensures that each new row starts evenly:

For a single crochet (sc), chain 1.
For a half double crochet (hdc), chain 2.
For a double crochet (dc), chain 3.

Determine if the turning chain counts as a stitch.

If it counts as a stitch: Skip the first stitch of the row and work into the next. When you reach the end of the next row, place your final stitch into the top of the turning chain.
If it does not count as a stitch: Work your first stitch into the very first stitch of the row, and ignore the turning chain at the end.

🔑 Key tips

Count your turning chains carefully to keep your stitch count consistent.
Whether the turning chain counts as a stitch depends on the pattern — stay consistent within your swatch.
As a general rule, the turning chain does not count as a stitch for single crochet, but it does count for half double and double crochet. This is only a guideline—some patterns make exceptions, so always check the specific instructions to be sure.

🏋️ Practice

Chain 11.
Sc in the second chain from the hook and across, turn.
Chain 1 — this adds the height for a single crochet (sc).

Identify where to place your first stitch if the turning chain does not count as a stitch.

Chain 2 — this is the height for a half double crochet (hdc).

Identify where to insert your hook if the chain does not count as a stitch.
If the chain counts as a stitch, place a stitch marker in the top of the turning chain to mark where your last stitch of the next row will go and identify where to insert your hook to begin this first row.

Chain 3 — this is the height for a double crochet (dc).

Identify where to insert your hook if the chain does not count as a stitch.
If the chain counts as a stitch, place a stitch marker in the last chain of your turning chain to mark the final stitch of your next row and identify where to insert your hook to begin this first row.

🎯 Goal to Aim For

You can make turning chains of the correct length and confidently identify the first stitch of the row, using a stitch marker as a guide (if needed).

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➡️ Next

🧶Half Double Crochet

📋 Instructions

At the end of a row, turn your work. Rotate your piece so the hook is ready to begin the new row.

Make a turning chain. This chain adds height and creates space for your next row. Each stitch has a different height, so the number of chains in your turning chain ensures that each new row starts evenly:

For a single crochet (sc), chain 1.
For a half double crochet (hdc), chain 2.
For a double crochet (dc), chain 3.

Determine if the turning chain counts as a stitch.

If it counts as a stitch: Skip the first stitch of the row and work into the next. When you reach the end of the next row, place your final stitch into the top of the turning chain.
If it does not count as a stitch: Work your first stitch into the very first stitch of the row, and ignore the turning chain at the end.

🔑 Key tips

Count your turning chains carefully to keep your stitch count consistent.

Whether the turning chain counts as a stitch depends on the pattern — stay consistent within your swatch.

As a general rule, the turning chain does not count as a stitch for single crochet, but it does count for half double and double crochet. This is only a guideline—some patterns make exceptions, so always check the specific instructions to be sure.

🏋️ Practice

Chain 11.

Sc in the second chain from the hook and across, turn.

Chain 1 — this adds the height for a single crochet (sc).

Identify where to place your first stitch if the turning chain does not count as a stitch.

Chain 2 — this is the height for a half double crochet (hdc).

Identify where to insert your hook if the chain does not count as a stitch.
If the chain counts as a stitch, place a stitch marker in the top of the turning chain to mark where your last stitch of the next row will go and identify where to insert your hook to begin this first row.

Chain 3 — this is the height for a double crochet (dc).

Identify where to insert your hook if the chain does not count as a stitch.
If the chain counts as a stitch, place a stitch marker in the last chain of your turning chain to mark the final stitch of your next row and identify where to insert your hook to begin this first row.