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Maisie and Ruth

PRETTY SIMPLE CROCHET

12 January 2021

Crochet Turning Chain (Does It Count as a Stitch?)

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Does the crochet turning chain cause you a bit of confusion?

Do you need some clarification as to whether you should count the turning chain as a stitch?

In this article, I’ll attempt to shed some light on this topic!

Turning Chain Pin Pin

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WHAT IS A CROCHET TURNING CHAIN?

When you have completed the first row of your crochet project, you will turn your work. You may turn your work either clockwise or anti-clockwise (it doesn’t matter as long as you are consistent for a neater edge).

At the beginning of the next row, you will be instructed to work a certain number of turning chains (also called beginning chains). The number of turning chains that you are asked to make will depend on what the next stitch of the row will be. These are the numbers that I usually stick to (although they can vary slightly with each crochet designer):

Single crochet – 1 turning chain

Half double crochet – 1 turning chain

Double Crochet – 2 turning chains

Treble Crochet – 3 turning chains

DOES IT COUNT AS A STITCH?

In the notes section of a pattern, the designer will often specify whether the turning chain of a row counts as a stitch.

To illustrate this issue better, I’ve included a couple of photos below. For example purposes I used a turning chain of 2 chains, but the same principle applies to any number of turning chains that a pattern calls for.

WHEN THE TURNING CHAIN DOES NOT COUNT AS A STITCH

If a pattern specifies that the turning chain does not count as a stitch, then it will be necessary to place the first stitch of your row into the same stitch, essentially at the base of the turning chain (as seen by my needle in the photo below):

Turning Chain step 1

WHEN THE TURNING CHAIN DOES COUNT AS A STITCH

In instances where it states that the turning chain does count as a stitch, this means that you will place the first stitch of your row into the next stitch:

Turning Chain step 2

AT THE END OF ROWS

In cases where the turning chain does count as a stitch, you will need to make sure that you crochet into the top of the turning chain at the end of the row (as seen by my needle in the photo below). If you fail to do this you will find that your work gets narrower!

Turning Chains End of row

If the turning chain does not count as a stitch, you should not crochet into the top of the turning chain. Instead, you should ignore the turning chain at the end and crochet into the last stitch of the row (otherwise you will start adding stitches and find that your work gets wider!)

The issue of whether a crochet turning chain counts as a stitch and where to place the first stitch of a row can be a common problem that many beginner crocheters encounter, so I hope that you found this information helpful!

If you have any opinions / thoughts on this topic, leave them in the comment section below! 😃

MORE CROCHET TUTORIALS
  • Alternate Crochet Cluster Stitch
  • How to Whip Stitch
  • How to Make an Invisible Join in Crochet
USEFUL RESOURCES
  • Craft Yarn Council
  • Knitting and Crochet Guild (UK)

Happy crocheting,

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Meet Amanda

Hi, I'm Amanda... thanks for stopping by! If you're looking for free crochet patterns and tutorials then you've come to the right place! I'm always designing something and I'm so happy I can share my creations with you here on the blog. So, pick up that ball of yarn and hook, and make something along with me!

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