Crochet Turning Chains
How many chains to turn for each stitch, and whether it counts as a stitch.
Every crochet row starts with a turning chain that lifts your hook to the height of the stitches to come. The tricky part is not the height but whether that chain counts as the first stitch of the row, which changes where you place your next stitch and your final count. Patterns split on the convention, so this chart lists the heights and shows you how to tell which way yours works.
Turning chain height by stitch
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| Stitch | Turning chain | Does it count as a stitch? |
|---|---|---|
| Slip stitch (sl st) | — | No turning chain — turn and work straight on. |
| Single crochet (sc) | 1 ch | Usually does NOT count as a stitch. |
| Half double crochet (hdc) | 2 ch | Depends on the pattern — often does not count. |
| Double crochet (dc) | 3 ch | Usually counts as the first stitch. |
| Treble crochet (tr) | 4 ch | Usually counts as the first stitch. |
| Double treble (dtr) | 5 ch | Usually counts as the first stitch. |
A turning chain lifts your hook to the height of the next row. Taller stitches need a taller turn — one chain for single crochet, up to five for a double treble.
How to tell whether it counts as a stitch: look at the first stitch of a row in your pattern. If the pattern says to skip the first stitch and work into the turning chain at the end of the row, the turning chain is being counted as a stitch. If it says to work into the very first stitch, it is not. When in doubt, keep your stitch count constant from row to row — that tells you which way your pattern treats it.
This also means a foundation chain is not simply your stitch count: it is the number of stitches you want plus the turn allowance for the stitch you are using. Check your pattern's foundation instructions rather than assuming they are equal.
Good to know
- The turning chain height is standard, but whether it counts as a stitch is a convention that varies by pattern and by stitch — this chart states the common practice, not a rule.
FAQ
- Does the turning chain count as a stitch?
- It depends on the stitch and the pattern. For single crochet it usually does not; for double crochet and taller it usually counts as the first stitch. The reliable test is to keep your stitch count constant from row to row — if it drifts, you are counting the turning chain the wrong way for that pattern.
- How many chains do I turn for double crochet?
- Three chains. Double crochet is three chains tall, so the turning chain is three, and in most patterns it stands in for the first double crochet of the row.
- Why does my edge lean or pull in?
- Usually a turning-chain mismatch. If the pattern counts the turning chain as a stitch and you also work into the first stitch, you add one each row; if it does not count and you skip the first stitch, you lose one. Check which convention your pattern uses against this chart.