How to Foundation Single Crochet (FSC) – Easy Step-by-Step
Tired of tight foundation chains?
Have you ever started a crochet project and everything looked great…
but your foundation chain felt too tight?
It doesn’t stretch, it pulls your project in, and it just doesn’t look right.
If that’s happened to you — you’re going to LOVE foundation single crochet.
It creates your foundation chain and first single crochet row at the same time, giving you a soft, stretchy edge that looks beautiful.
What is Foundation Single Crochet?
Foundation single crochet (FSC) is a technique that replaces your starting chain.
Instead of:
- chaining first
- then working into the chain
You do both in one step.
This gives you:
- more stretch
- cleaner edges
- less frustration
Let’s Begin!
Step 1: Make a slip knot
Start with a slip knot on your hook. (See the tutorial on How to Make a Slip Knot Here!)
Step 2: Chain 2
Chain 2 to begin your foundation.
Step 3: Insert your hook
Insert your hook into the center of the first chain.
Step 4: Grab the back loop also
You’ll see a loop behind that chain — insert your hook through that as well.
This is what forms your foundation chain.
Step 5: Yarn over
Wrap your yarn over the hook.
Step 6: Pull up a loop
Draw your hook back through.
You should now have 2 loops on your hook.
Step 7: Yarn over again
Wrap your yarn over once more.
Step 8: Pull through ONE loop
Pull through just the first loop only.
This creates your foundation chain.
Step 9: Yarn over
Wrap your yarn again.
Step 10: Complete the stitch
Pull through the last 2 loops.
You’ve just made your first foundation single crochet!
Step 11: Tips to Keep going!
For the next stitch:
- Insert your hook into the “V” shape of the foundation chain you just made
- Go through both strands
Then repeat:
Steps 4–10 for each stitch
Step 12: Understand what you’re making:
As you work, your foundation chains will form along the bottom edge of your work.
You’ll start to see:
- Bottom = foundation chain
- Top = single crochet stitches
You’re building both at the same time, working sideways instead of row-by-row.
Pro Tip (this matters!)
Make sure your hook goes all the way back to the shaft (shank) when inserting into stitches.
This keeps your foundation from getting too tight.
Final thoughts
Once you try foundation single crochet, it’s really hard to go back.
It’s one of those small techniques that makes a big difference in how your projects look and feel.
Happy crocheting,
~Angie
