The Foundation Slip Knot & Chain

Now that you have your worsted weight yarn and your 5.0mm (Size H) hook ready, it's time to build the anchor line for your work. Every single flat crochet project begins right here.

Step 1: The Slip Knot

The slip knot anchors your yarn securely to the hook. Unlike typical utility knots, a slip knot is completely adjustable and slides freely up and down the shaft of your hook.

1. Pull a 6-inch tail of yarn out from your skein.
2. Loop the yarn over your index finger to form a basic circle, crossing the working strand (the side attached to the yarn ball) over the tail.
3. Reach through the loop with your thumb and finger, grab the working strand, and pull a small loop back through the circle.
4. Slide your crochet hook straight into that new loop and pull both loose ends to snug it up close against the metal hook.

💡 Pro Tip for Perfect Tension: Do not pull the loop too tight around the hook. It should be snug enough that it doesn't drop off, but loose enough that you can easily slide it back and forth over the widest thumb grip part of the handle.

Step 2: Mastering the Foundation Chain (ch)

The chain stitch is the absolute bedrock of your crochet structure. Think of it like building the concrete floor layout of a house before stacking the walls.

1. Hold your hook in your dominant hand (using either a pencil or knife grip). Hold the tail of your slip knot between the thumb and middle finger of your non-dominant hand to keep the line taut.
2. Loop the working yarn from back to front over the top of your hook. This movement is universally called a Yarn Over (yo).
3. Slightly rotate the throat of your hook downwards so it catches the strand, and smoothly pull it straight through the loop currently sitting on your hook.

You have officially completed one chain stitch! Repeat this exact motion smoothly over and over to grow your foundation line.