How To Crochet Turning Chain

Introduction

How To Crochet Turning Chain – Crocheting is a versatile and creative craft that allows you to make beautiful items like blankets, scarves, and garments. One fundamental skill in crochet is creating turning chains, which serve as the foundation for the next row of stitches. Turning chains are essential for maintaining the height and structure of your crochet work, and they are used in various crochet stitches and patterns.

In this guide, we will explore the importance of turning chains in crochet and teach you how to create them. Whether you’re a beginner just starting your crochet journey or an experienced crocheter looking to refine your skills, understanding turning chains is crucial for achieving a polished and consistent finish in your projects.

Turning chains not only provide the necessary height to match the stitch you’re working on but also create a neat edge, preventing your crochet work from curling or distorting. They are especially significant in projects that use multiple crochet stitches and color changes, such as granny squares or intricate lace patterns. Learning how to make turning chains properly is a valuable skill that will enhance the overall quality of your crochet projects.

Should I crochet in the turning chain?

Yes, turning chains in crochet are certainly necessary. A turning chain lifts a new row up to the height of the stitch you are using. Taller stitches such as the treble crochet, need more turning chains.

Crocheting in the turning chain is a common practice in many crochet projects. The turning chain serves as a way to create the necessary height for the next row or round. Whether or not you should crochet in the turning chain depends on the specific pattern and the effect you want to achieve.

In most cases, you should work your stitches into the turning chain to maintain the consistency and structure of your project. This ensures that your work stays even and flat, and it also helps to prevent gaps or spaces between rows or rounds. Crocheting into the turning chain is especially important when working with stitch patterns like double crochet or taller stitches, as it provides the necessary height.

There are exceptions to this rule. Some patterns may instruct you to skip the turning chain and work stitches directly into the first stitch of the previous row or round. This can create a different texture or look, and it’s essential to follow the pattern’s instructions to achieve the intended design.

What is the purpose of a turning chain in crochet?

Turning chains are used to begin a row of crochet to ‘lift’ the work up to the next level. Different stitches require a different number of crochet chains. For single crochet, you basically just make one additional chain stitch and that will ‘raise’ you one level. Double crochet uses a turning chain of three stitches.

The purpose of a turning chain in crochet is to create the necessary height for the next row or round of stitches. When you finish a row or round of crochet stitches, you need to move up to the appropriate height for the next row. The turning chain accomplishes this by adding extra chains at the beginning of a new row or round. These chains serve as a placeholder, allowing you to begin working your stitches at the correct height without distorting the structure of the fabric.

The number of chains in the turning chain varies depending on the type of stitch you’re using. For example, in single crochet, you typically chain one at the beginning of a new row, while double crochet often requires a turning chain of three. This variation in chain length corresponds to the height of the stitches you’re working on that particular row.

The turning chain also helps to maintain the overall tension and consistency of your crochet work. It prevents the first stitch of a row or round from being too tight or distorted, ensuring that the fabric remains even and flat. Without the turning chain, your stitches may bunch up, and your work could become misshapen.

Do you chain before or after turning?

Some instructions with say to chain up and then turn your work. Which is correct? The answer is: It doesn’t matter! The only thing that matters is that you remain consistent so your edge stitches look the same.

In crochet, you typically create a turning chain before you turn your work. The turning chain is essential because it serves as the foundation for the next row or round of stitches, providing the necessary height to match the stitch you’re using.

At the end of a row or round, finish your last stitch as instructed in the pattern. Before turning your work, create the turning chain. The number of chains in the turning chain varies depending on the type of stitch you’ll be using in the next row or round. For example, if you’re transitioning to a row of double crochet, you might chain three, as double crochet is a taller stitch. If you’re working with single crochet, you might chain one. The turning chain serves to lift your yarn to the correct height for the next set of stitches.

Once the turning chain is complete, you can then turn your work 180 degrees, so you’re ready to start crocheting in the opposite direction. Begin your new row or round by working into the designated stitches, which often include the top of the turning chain or the first stitch of the previous row.

Is it good to crochet at night?

Crocheting can also help to improve your sleep quality. If you have trouble sleeping, crocheting before bed may help you to fall asleep more easily and sleep for longer. The calming effects of crocheting can also help to ease any racing thoughts or worries that may be keeping you up at night.

Crocheting at night can be a pleasant and productive pastime for many people. However, whether it’s “good” or suitable for you to crochet at night depends on your personal preferences, sleep patterns, and the specific circumstances.

For those who are night owls or have flexible schedules, crocheting at night can offer a peaceful and quiet environment. It allows for uninterrupted creative time, making it an excellent opportunity to unwind and relax. Crocheting can be a soothing and meditative activity, which may help alleviate stress and promote better sleep when you eventually decide to rest.

That said, if crocheting at night interferes with your sleep schedule or disrupts your ability to get enough rest, it might not be advisable. Engaging in stimulating activities, like working with bright colors or complex patterns, right before bedtime can potentially affect your ability to fall asleep. It’s crucial to be mindful of your individual response to late-night crocheting and find the right balance for your well-being.

What is the purpose of a crochet turning chain?

The purpose of a crochet turning chain is fundamental to the structure and integrity of crochet work. When you finish a row or round of stitches in crochet, you need to transition to the next row or round while maintaining the appropriate height for the stitches you’re using. This is where the turning chain comes into play.

The turning chain is essentially a set of chains that you create before turning your work. The number of chains in the turning chain varies depending on the type of stitch you plan to use in the upcoming row or round. For instance, single crochet often requires a turning chain of one, while taller stitches like double crochet may need a turning chain of two or more. The turning chain serves as a platform to lift your yarn to the correct height for the next set of stitches.

This process ensures that your stitches align properly and that the fabric remains consistent and flat. It prevents the first stitch of the new row or round from becoming too tight or distorted. Without the turning chain, you may experience gaps between rows or rounds, making your crochet work uneven and less polished.

How many chains should you typically create for a double crochet turning chain?

For a double crochet turning chain in crochet, you typically create a chain of three. The purpose of this turning chain is to provide the necessary height for the double crochet stitches in the next row or round, ensuring that your work remains even, consistent, and structurally sound.

The reason three chains are used for a double crochet turning chain is because the double crochet is a relatively tall stitch. To achieve the correct height, you need these three chains to lift the yarn to the appropriate level. This turning chain essentially mimics the height of a double crochet stitch and allows you to maintain a consistent tension and structure throughout your project.

At the end of the row or round, complete the last double crochet stitch as specified in the pattern. Before turning your work, chain three. This serves as the turning chain for the next row or round. Turn your work 180 degrees so that you’re ready to begin working in the opposite direction.

Start your new row or round by working your double crochet stitches into the designated stitches, often the top of the turning chain or the first stitch of the previous row.

When in the crocheting process do you make the turning chain?

In the crocheting process, you typically make the turning chain immediately after completing a row or round of stitches and just before turning your work to begin the next row or round. The turning chain is a crucial component in crochet, as it establishes the necessary height for the upcoming set of stitches, ensuring that your work remains even, consistent, and structurally sound.

Here’s a step-by-step explanation of when you make the turning chain:

Finish the last stitch of the current row or round as specified in the pattern. This stitch is often a single crochet, double crochet, or another type of crochet stitch.

Before turning your work 180 degrees to switch directions, create the turning chain. The number of chains in the turning chain is determined by the type of stitch you’ll be using in the next row or round. For example, a turning chain of three is common for double crochet, while single crochet typically requires a turning chain of one.

Once you’ve completed the turning chain, you can turn your work to face the opposite direction, getting ready to start working on the new row or round.

Begin your next row or round by crocheting into the designated stitches, which may include working into the top of the turning chain or the first stitch of the previous row, as instructed by the pattern.

Why is it important to make a turning chain before turning your work?

Making a turning chain before turning your work is a crucial step in crochet for several reasons. This practice is essential to maintain the overall structure, tension, and integrity of your crochet project.

Firstly, the turning chain serves to create the necessary height for the upcoming row or round. Different crochet stitches vary in height, and the turning chain ensures that your next set of stitches align correctly. For instance, when transitioning to taller stitches like double crochet, you need a taller turning chain to match the stitch’s height. Without this turning chain, your stitches would start at the wrong level, resulting in uneven and distorted work.

Secondly, the turning chain helps prevent tightness in the first stitch of the new row or round. If you were to work directly into the first stitch without a turning chain, it could become too snug, causing your project to pucker and lose its intended shape.

The turning chain acts as a placeholder, indicating where to start your next set of stitches. This ensures uniformity and consistency in your crochet work, making it easier to follow the pattern and maintain a neat, professional appearance.

Conclusion 

You’ve reached the end of our journey into the world of crocheting turning chains! Throughout this guide, we’ve delved into the importance of these deceptively simple yet crucial components in crochet. It’s essential to reflect on the knowledge you’ve gained and the possibilities that lie ahead.

Turning chains serve as the foundation of your crochet work, providing the necessary height for stitches, maintaining the structural integrity of your project, and creating those clean, even edges that set your work apart. By mastering the art of creating turning chains, you’ve acquired a fundamental skill that will elevate the quality of your crochet projects, making them more polished and professional.

In this guide, we’ve covered the basics of turning chains, from their significance in various crochet stitches to the techniques needed to create them. Whether you’re a novice crocheter looking to expand your skills or an experienced enthusiast aiming for perfection, understanding turning chains is a vital step on your crochet journey.