Introduction to Crochet: End of Row Chains

In the tutorials about the different kinds of crochet stitches, we talked about how to end/begin rows with a certain number of chains.  This is because crocheting is vertical stitching, and we need to "build up" to every new row.  Sometimes the chains we make at the end/beginning of rows count as the first stitch of the new row, and sometimes they don't.  Here is a chart to help you remember how many chains to make at the end of a row in case you're not working from a pattern that let's you know.  The chart also lets you know if those chains act as a first stitch in a new row.  If so, that means that you must skip the first stitch and start stitching in the second stitch of the new row, thereby allowing the chains to act as the first stitch.  

Stitch Type US (UK)	End of Row Chains	Skip First Stitch?
Single Crochet (Double Crochet)	1	no
Half-Double Crochet (Half-Treble Crochet)	2	yes
Double Crochet (Treble Crochet)	3	yes
Treble Crochet (Double Treble Crochet)	4	yes

Note that only the single crochet stitch doesn't need you to skip a stitch when starting a new row, although you still have to make one chain.  This is because it's such a tiny stitch!

Have fun and happy crocheting!

Lots of love,

~Mersydotes