How to Crochet Around the Chain

If you’ve ever followed a crochet pattern and found yourself pausing at the phrase “crochet around the chain,” you’re not alone! It can be a bit confusing at first, but once you learn how to do it, you’ll open up a world of possibilities for creating smooth shapes, ovals, and neat edges, especially in amigurumi, appliqués, and decorative pieces.

Follow the written instructions or the video tutorial below to learn how to crochet around the chain!

When a pattern tells you to crochet around a chain, it usually means you’ll be working stitches on both sides of the foundation chain. This technique is often used to create a symmetrical shape, like an oval, that builds outward from the center chain.

You’ll first work stitches across one side of the chain, then pivot your work and continue crocheting on the opposite side of the same chain essentially wrapping your stitches around it in a U-turn.

Crocheting around a chain is especially useful when:

• Creating oval bases for toys, bags, baskets or booties.
• Making amigurumi parts like arms, legs, or tails. Anything tubular that you don’t want to be completly round.
• Designing flat shapes that need clean, rounded ends

It creates a seamless, continuous edge and prevents the bumpy ends you sometimes get when turning rows.

Let’s say your pattern tells you to chain 10 and single crochet around it. Here’s what you do:

1. Chain 10 (or however many your pattern specifies);
2. Start to crochet in the second chain from the hook;
3. Single crochet across the top of the chain. I prefer to work in the back bumps of the chain, but you can work on the back loops of the chain if you prefer.;
4. Work an increase of 3 single crochets on the last chain. You’ll notice that your work will naturally turn upside down in your hands;
5. Single crochet across the other side of the chain, this time going under the two top loops of the chain, or if you previously worked on the back loop of the chain, go under the remaining available top loop of the chain.
6. On the last chain increase with two single crochets leaving you with 3 single crochets on each side of your work;
7. To make the next round increase on these 3 stitches on each side, and work 1 single crochet on each stitch between them. This is what round 2 would look like for our example: inc 2, 8sc, (inc 2 ) x 3, 8sc, (inc 2) x 2
8. To make a bigger piece you need to keep increasing on top of the previous increases. Think of the ends with increases like the two halves of a crochet circle with a straight edge between them. The increases work the same way. Round 3 would look like this: 1sc, inc 2, 8sc, (1sc, inc 2) x 3, 8sc, (1sc, inc 2) x 2
9. Work as many rounds as you like increasing on the curved edges of the shape.

• Remember to always mark the first stitch of the round with stitch markers.
• Keep increassing evenly on the curved ends to make a bigger shape.
• If your project feels tight around the curve, try adding extra increases at the ends.

Crocheting around a chain might seem tricky at first, but once you try it a couple of times, it’ll feel like second nature. It’s one of those techniques that can really elevate the look of your crochet work especially if you love making amigurumi. It opens up the doors to crocheting many cool shapes like the feet of this Amigurumi Fox!