base chain/single crochet

[kmadel]

:think I just got the Fall 2005 Interweave Knits Crochet magazine, and it has the coolest sweater pattern ("Colorwaves Topper") -- but, I can't figure out the first stitch it calls for! Its makes a base chain & single crochet all in one step, and there's even a diagram in the magazine, but I just can't get it to work! :blush

Any suggestions?
Krista
:cat

[Linda]

Can you post that portion of the instructions?

[kmadel]

Ok, here goes...

"Start w/ a slipknot, ch2, insert hook in 2nd chain from hook, draw up a loop, yo, draw through one loop (the chain), yo, draw through2 loops (the sc) = 1sc with its own ch st at bottom. (Work next stitch under loops of that chain) *Insert hook under 2 loops at bottom of previous st, draw up loop, yo and draw through 1 loop, yo and draw through 2 loops; rep from * for length of foundation.

I kind of get what they're saying, but my biggest problem is figuring out where to insert my hook for each stitch.

Thanks for the help!
Krista
:cat

[kmadel]

Ooh-- and it keeps curving up on me! Its almost turning in spirals! :grumpy

[Stitchinpick]

I got it to work. Cute! Let me try to put it into my words to see if two different directions make it come together. I am useing a worsted weight yarn (Simply Soft) and an "I" Susan Bates hook.

Make a slip knot. Chain two. Put hook back into the beginning chain (2nd chain from hook). Yarn over and pull up a loop. Yarn over again and pull through the first loop on your hook. LOOK AT THAT "CHAIN" that you just made by pulling that loop through. It is now the BOTTOM OF YOUR FIRST STITCH, even though it is to your far left. It will be the "starting" chain at the bottom of your "single crochet." Yarn over and pull through both loops on hook. Now you have finished the "top" of your single-crochet stitch. DO NOT TURN!

For your second stitch, Put your hook through both loops of the stitch I called the bottom of your first stitch. (It looks like a chain on the far left side.) Yarn over and pull up a loop. Yarn over again and pull through the first loop on your hook. LOOK AT THAT "STITCH", it becomes the bottom of your second single crochet. Yarn over and pull through both loops on your hook. Now you have two single crochet stitches. Look at the left side of your stitches, you can see the bottoms of two stitches. Now repeat by putting your hook through both loops of the last bottom stitch.

Clear as mud! It really does work. It may be a little curved, but it should lay out when it is done.

[kmadel]

:clapOk! I can do it with "regular" yarn ! Now, I just need to work with the yarn called for in the pattern a little. Its not the easiest to work with, but I think I can figure it out now. Thanks so much for the help!
:flower
Krista
:cat

[mbcabbie]

This is actually really easy and PERFECT once you get the hang of it. It took me 20+years to even hear about it, and only a day to master it.... I will never do a starting chain again!


BTW, it also works with hdc and dc... just do the appropriate yo's before inserting into the chain, draw up through 1 loop, then do your stitch.

It does curl a bit, but in the end, you'll never know it. Such a perfect finish to the start - nice and clean.

[Chrome Kitty]

This has been around for a while and I'm just now starting to find it in patterns from Lionbrand and others.

[Homebody]

I am just now reading about this and haven't tried it, but I was wondering - does the finished row look any different from a normal chain and single crochet row? And why or what are the benifits of doing it this way? Thanks.

[jpr54_]

i think the stitch is describing single foundation row which is similar to double foundation row you use in crocheting socks-
read also posting in forum called double crochet foundation

[crochet smartcat]

I am just now reading about this and haven't tried it, but I was wondering - does the finished row look any different from a normal chain and single crochet row? And why or what are the benifits of doing it this way? Thanks.

The way I understand it, it creates a more finished edge than the standard foundation chain. It is also more elastic than a foundation chain, so it would be perfect if you were working a hat from the bottom up. Because it forms the chain and sc (whatever stitch you are starting with) all at once, it is much harder to tell which end you started at, without really examining the stitches. Only one word of caution, it will slightly (very minorly) affect the length of your finished piece, because you lose the chain. I have not had it affect a pattern yet, but if you have something that measurement is crucial, make sure you do your guage swatch first to compare measurements.

[Homebody]

Thanks so much for your responses.

[flybabytina]

Is there a video of this somewhere?

Tina