Crochet a turning chain (one or more chain stitches that you make after you’ve turned your crocheted work) before you begin your next row. The purpose of the turning chain is to bring your yarn to the height necessary in order to work the first stitch of your next row or round.
The number of chain stitches you make in the turning chain depends on what the next stitch in the row is because some stitches are taller than others.
The turning chain almost always counts as the first stitch of the next row, except for the single crochet. The single crochet turning chain isn’t wide enough to substitute for the first single crochet of the row and creates a rough edge to your rows. Working a single crochet stitch in the first stitch of the row fills out each row on the end.
| Stitch Name and Abbreviation | Number of Turning Chains Needed |
|---|---|
| Slip stitch (sl st) | 0 |
| Single crochet (sc) | 1 |
| Half double crochet (hdc) | 2 |
| Double crochet (dc) | 3 |
| Triple crochet (tr) | 4 |
| Double triple crochet (dtr) | 5 |
The turning chain almost always counts as the first stitch of the next row, except for the single crochet. The single crochet turning chain isn’t wide enough to substitute for the first single crochet of the row and creates a rough edge to your rows. Working a single crochet stitch in the first stitch of the row fills out each row on the end.