Chainless Foundation Method (Single Crochet)

The most common way to start a new crochet project is using a chain and working your first row of stitches into that chain.  That all changed for me when I learned the Chainless Foundation Method (CFM) about a year ago.  It looks so much cleaner and more uniform to the last row when you look at it... And if you're working a hat from the brim up, it gives more stretch than starting with a chain allows for. 

For those who don't know the Chainless Foundation Method, here is a step-by-step photo tutorial to help you learn:

Start by working a chain 2. 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Insert your hook into the first chain and pull up a loop.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The next step is to pull up another loop through the loop you just made.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 You'll then pull up a loop through 2 loops on your hook.  You have now completed one single crochet. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

To work the next CFM, start with the first yarn over and follow the steps again.  To work the next stitch, insert your hook into the first chain you created in the previous stitch and pull up a loop.  Continue from * to finish the stitch.  Repeat this step until you have your desired length. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This is what your first row should look like.  You have worked the starting chain and first row of single crochet all in one.