Foundation Single Crochet Stitch (fsc) Tutorial
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Haven’t been brave enough to dive into foundation stitches yet? Well, you’re in the right place. This step-by-step Foundation Single Crochet tutorial will walk you through each part of the process so you can do Foundation Single Crochets with confidence.
Below you will find a quick step-by-step walk-through and a full photo tutorial for both right and left-handed crocheters so you can master the foundation sc.
For another great crochet stitch tutorial check out How to Foundation Half Double Crochet (fhdc).
How do you do a foundation single crochet?
Here are the quick written instructions for how you do a foundation single crochet:
- Chain 2, insert hook into the second chain from the hook and pull up loop.
- Yarn over and pull through the first loop on the hook to make a chain stitch.
- Yarn over and pull through both loops on the hook to make a single crochet.
- Insert hook into the chain stitch and pull up a loop.
- Yarn over and pull through the first loop on the hook creating another chain stitch.
- Yarn over and pull through both loops on the hook.
- Continue working through steps 4-6 until your foundation row reaches the desired number of stitches.
Congratulations! You’ve made a foundation chain and a single crochet row all at once just by learning a new crochet technique.
Why is it called a chainless foundation?
Well, this technique isn’t exactly chainless because you are making chain stitches as you go but it does allow you to avoid those horribly long starting chains that can be so bothersome.
How many times have you started with a long chain, then realized, only when you finished the first row, that you miscounted or lost track of your number of chains? Long chains can twist or you can end up with curls in the base chain that can make it so difficult to work into.
By using the fsc stitch you can complete your foundation chain and the first row of single crochet stitches at the same time and it is so much easier to count your stitches starting with a chainless foundation than it is to count a long traditional foundation chain.
Where can I use the Foundation Single Crochet Stitch?
The fsc can be used anytime a pattern calls for it or anytime you just don’t feel like working into that starting chain and your first row is single crochets.
I would advise using the foundation single crochet only in larger projects as it tends to make that first row of stitches more obvious than starting with a regular foundation chain.
Bottom: starting with a regular chain (traditional method)
Bottom: starting with a regular chain back side
For this reason, I am less likely to use the single crochet version of the foundation crochet stitches than I am to use other foundation stitches like the foundation half double crochet, unless it is in a larger project.
Free Crochet Patterns that use a Chainless Single Crochet Foundation
Stonehaven Chunky Crochet Scarf Pattern Free
Camden Christmas Crochet Blanket
Take Me to the Beach Tote – this bag even uses chainless single crochets as part of making the handles!
Materials Needed to Do a Chainless Foundation Single Crochet
You don’t need anything special to practice chainless foundation rows. Just grab some scrap yarn that doesn’t split easily, like an economy acrylic, and a crochet hook that corresponds to the size of your yarn.
For the photos in this tutorial, I used Bernat Beyond yarn, which unfortunately has been discontinued, and a size K, 6.5 mm Crochet Hook. Pictured is my favorite Clover Amour crochet hook which you can read more about in this Clover Amour hook review.
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Foundation Single Crochet Tutorials
To practice the fsc, you’ll want to grab some yarn and a hook that is the appropriate size for your yarn.
For this tutorial, I used Bernat Beyond yarn with my Clover Amour K, 6.5 mm hook both of which you can order from Amazon.
As you scroll down you’ll first find the tutorial for right-handers followed by the foundation single crochet left-handed tutorial.
Foundation Single Crochet Right Handed
Chain 2,
insert hook into the 2nd chain from the hook and pull up loop.
Yarn over (yo) and pull through the first loop on the hook to make a chain stitch.
Yarn over and pull through both loops on the hook to make a single crochet. There you go: You just made your first chain and first foundation stitch combination.
Insert hook into the chain stitch and pull up a loop.
Yarn over and pull through the first loop on the hook creating another chain stitch. Yarn over and pull through both loops on the hook. You just made the next fsc.
Continue to repeat steps 4-6 until your foundation row reaches the desired number of stitches.
That’s it! Isn’t it easy? Now get out there and use it, you amazing crocheter, you.
When you are ready to work the rest of the pattern, you’ll just work into the single crochet part of the stitch like normal.
Foundation Single Crochet Left Handed
Chain 2,
insert hook into the 2nd ch from the hook and pull up loop.
Yarn over and pull through the first loop on the hook to make a chain stitch.
Yarn over and pull through both loops on the hook to make a single crochet (sc). You’ve just completed the first stitch!
Insert hook into the chain part of the foundation and pull up a loop.
Yarn over and pull through the first loop on the hook creating another chain stitch. Yarn over and pull through both loops on the hook.
Continue working through steps 4-6 until your foundation row (fsc row) reaches the desired number of stitches.
Which crochet project will you use the foundation single crochet in? As usual, I’d love it if you would tag me in any of your Stitching Together makes. I love seeing what you are working on!
