In the beginning is the foundation chain. If you have a large number of stitches getting the right number of chain can be a bit of a headache. One solution is to chain until you think you have the right number and then do an extra 5 or 10 that you can unpick once you’ve finished the foundation row.

The other solution is to do a chainless foundation. I’ve only just learned how to do this. What a revelation. I think I read somewhere recently it was invented sometime in the 50s but never caught on until now.

The added advantage of this foundation is that the bottom of the work looks the same as the last row of work.

It’s also stretchier than the normal chain stitch foundation. You don’t get that terrible tight first row. And it looks good enough as it is to use as a braid, to stitch on to a pieces of work as a decorative edging.

It’s quite simple but seems a bit odd at first. It’s as if you go to make a single crochet but make a chain in the middle. I know I know – that’s a clear as mud.

I’m sure there is probably a you-tube of this method but here is my long hand pattern.

Take your hook and yarn and do this as you read. Just follow the instructions without trying to work out whats happening.

Make 2 chain. With the chain facing you (little bumps out the back) insert the hook through the bottom loop of the first chain – there will be 2 loops on the top of the hook. (three counting the loop already on the hook. See figure 2)

Figure 2

Yarn around hook and draw the loop through the stitch

Yarn around hook again and draw through the first loop on the hook. (This is the chain stitch that you will make the next stitch into. Try keeping your thumb at the beginning of this chain to mark where it is for your next st)

Figure 3. arrow shows chain stitch that the next stitch will be worked into.

Yarn round hook again and pull through both loops on hook. First stitch completed.

Next stitch. *Insert the hook into the chain made in the previous stitch – the one you marked with your thumb. As before insert it into the bottom loop of the chain. Yarn around hook and pull loop through.
Yarn around hook and pull through the first loop on hook (mark this stitch with your thumb as before)
Yarn around hook and pull through both loops on hook.* Second stitch made. Repeat from * to * for as many stiches as you require. It’s easy to count the stitches by turning the work over and counting each bump.

figure 4 Back of work.

Figure 5 Front of work.