Foundation Single Crochet (FSC) Step By Step With Video

Foundation Single Crochet by Crafting Happiness FACEBOOK POSTER

What is Foundation Single Crochet

Step up your crochet game and learn the Foundation Single Crochet, a chainless way of starting your project. The Foundation Single Crochet is a method of starting a crochet project that allows you to work your foundation chains and your first row of single crochet stitches at the same time.

This technique is also known as the chainless single crochet foundation because you are not required to make a starting chain at the beginning of your project, instead, you create the base chain and the single crochet stitch on top of it in one step.

Please note that this post contains affiliate links, I will earn a small percentage should you choose to purchase something, but it will be at no cost to you. You can see my full disclosure policy here. Thank you for supporting my work and this blog.

Why start your project with a Foundation SC

There are a few reasons why you should start your project with a foundation single crochet, even if the pattern you are following doesn’t advise you to. You can simply replace the foundation chain and first row of single crochet stitches with a foundation single crochet row.

Even Tension – Starting chains often have a different tension than the regular stitches and this will cause your edge to curve. This will not happen when using the foundation sc.
Flexible Edge – Foundation sc stitches have some stretch to them and are a great option for crocheting clothes or any other project that need a flexible edge.
Add Stitches As You Go – it’s easy to miss or miscount the number of stitches when making a regular starting chain. With foundation single crochet, you can add or take away extra stitches if you miscalculated the project size or the number of stitches required.
Easy To See Stitches – When working with novelty yarns, such as tinsel yarns or metallic yarns, it’s easy to miss a stitch, but not when you start your project with a foundation single crochet.
Save Time – working the starting chain and the first single crochet row in one go will save you time and make the stitch counting a breeze.

How to use the Foundation Single Crochet

This technique can be used on any pattern that requires you to make a foundation chain and then crochet a row of single crochet stitches, it will make your life so much easier. But there are times when you should use the foundation single crochet method to start and make your projects, here are a few examples:

Crochet Appliques – This method is great when crocheting appliques or any shapes for that matter. You can add stitches on both sides of the row and create those unusual shapes to form your shape.
Shaping Garments – in the same way, the foundation single crochet is very useful when shaping garment parts as you can crochet stitches on both sides of the row or add extra stitches on one side of the row.
Stretchy Edges – specifically for garments that need a bit of stretch.

Video Tutorial

Subscribe to Crafting Happiness YouTube Channel to save this video

How To Crochet The Foundation Single Crochet

Pattern Notes

Pattern Characteristics

solid
techniques
basic stitches

Pattern Repeat

crochet as you go

Supplies Used

Marriner Yarns Aran
Click here for YARN ALTERNATIVES
5mm crochet hook

Abbreviations

Pattern written in US terms using Craft Yarn Council abbreviations.

st(s) – stitch(es)
yo – yarn over

ch – chain
sc – single crochet

Special Stitches

No special stitches were used in this pattern.

Pattern Instructions

Step 1: Start with a slip knot and ch2 (this is the only chaining you will do when making a foundation single crochet)

Step 2: Insert your hook in the 2nd ch from hook, yo and pull up a loop (2 loops on hook), yo and pull through the first loop on hook (2 loops on hook).

You have now created the first base chain.

Step 3: Yo and pull through both loops on the hook.

You have now created the single crochet on top of the base chain. This counts as one stitch when counting stitches and it’s abbreviated as fsc.

Step 4: Let’s create another base chain. Turn your work with the bottom up to expose the first base chain.

Insert your hook under both loops of the chain.

Yo and pull up a loop (2 loops on hook). Yo and pull through the first loop on hook (2 loops).

Now you have a new base chain.

Step 5: Next, we will make the single crochet stitch on top of that base chain.

Yo and pull through the 2 loops on hook. Another foundation single crochet stitch is complete.

Step 6: Let’s make another foundation single crochet (fsc) from start to end.

To make the base chain, turn your work upside down to expose the previous base chains, insert your hook under the last chain, yo and pull up a loop (2 loops on hook), yo and pull through just one loop on the hook (still 2 loops on hook).

To make the sc on top, yo and pull through both loops on the hook.

Repeat step 6 until you have the required lenght or number of stitches.

Pattern Swatch

foundation single crochet stitches used to shape the crochet project

And this is how you crochet the Foundation Single Crochet. If you found this tutorial helpful, please share and Pin it! Follow me on Pinterest here.

Tag me @craftinghappinesscrochet with your creations.

Foundation Single Crochet by Crafting Happiness MAIN PINTEREST POSTER 1

Looking For Similar Crochet Tutorials?

COPYRIGHT:

The photographs in this tutorial are subject to copyright and are the property of Crafting Happiness, don’t use them to advertise your own creations. You may use photos from this post only if you directly link back to this tutorial.

Happy Crocheting!