New Fangled Foundation Rows: Single-Crochet Foundation/Double Chain Foundation Row

New Fangled Foundation Row:

 Double Chain Foundation Row & Single-Crochet Stitch Foundation Row

Usually when beginning a crochet project a single chain stitch is used - it's the most basic stitch of looping the yarn through the loops to create a, well, chain ;-).  It's slightly stretchy - until you work back into it, then it's sturdy - but when you don't want a sturdy edge and want a nice stretchy one, you need a different edge stitch.  

Two different stitches I use for a stretchier foundation row are the double chain stitch and the single-crochet stitch foundation row.

A double chain stitch creates what looks like a chain stitch with an open loop above for working the next row.  It's decorative, stretchy, the base looks neat and tidy, and it's easy to work back into.  I love using it as the base for hats - either knitted or crocheted or the bottom of a sweater, shirt or dress.

A single-crochet stitch foundation row is ultra stretchy - good for keeping lots of stretch in the base of the work - or for making sure the base isn't smaller than the top of the work once it is finished.  This also works very well for working in the round. The single-crochet stitch foundation looks just like a single crochet and a chain row but it is all worked at once.  

Best of all for both of these stitches, the work will look the same on both the top edge and bottom edge - no more loopy edge on the foundation row!

For the beginning of the double chain stitch first chain 2.  Then in the first chain that was made, go and pull up a loop.  Finish the single crochet (yarn over, pull through two loops).  For the next stitch, *insert the hook in the left part of the single crochet stitch, yarn over and pull up a loop.  Now there should be two loops on the hook.  Finish the single crochet by yarning over and pulling through these two loops.*  Continue working the directions that are between the *s to make the double chain stitch as long as needed.

To use it as the foundation row, simply work back into the top loops with your chosen stitch.

For the single-crochet stitch foundation row again, chain two.  Insert the hook in the first chain stitch (next to the knot) yarn over and pull up a loop.  Yarn over again and pull through just 1 loop.  Yarn over and pull through two to complete the first single-crochet foundation stitch.  For the next stitch, look on the left side of the work - there are what looks like 2 chain stitches here.  Go into the bottom of the two (again, closest to the knot) yarn over, and pull up a loop.  Yarn over again and pull through 1 loop.  Yarn over and pull through two loops to complete.