No More Twisted Starting Chain when Working in the Round: You know projects that have a starting chain you need to join to make a loop? Then you’re supposed to crochet around the chain without twisting the chain? Impossible task, I tell you!! I always, always get my chain all twisted when having to join it to work in a round. ALWAYS. I want to share with you my little trick I use to avoid this problem that seems almost inevitable for me. Honestly, I don’t know how to keep my starting chain from twisting. So if you are able to keep it straight… I AM IN AWE OF YOUR SKILLS.
Anyway, here’s what I do.
I make my chain, and instead of joining to the first chain to make a loop, I crochet the first round as a row.
Then I join to the first stitch of the round with a sl st and make my loop.
Now, I’m ready to start working in the round! My stitches are all straight and even, with no twisting! There will be a small gap where you joined the first row. I usually take care of that at the end.
When weaving in this first end, I sew that gap closed.
I hope this little trick is useful to you! Once I learned this, I never went back to trying to make a loop with my starting chain. I always work my first row and then I join to make the loop.
Here are some patterns I use this trick for:
1. Boho Fringe Cowl 2. Bubblegum Beanie 3. Watermelon Tank Top
1. Pineapple Top 2. Cabled Crochet Beanie 3. Easy Ribbed Beanie
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Thank you for this! I tend to stay away from patterns that work in The round for this reason.
Yay! I’m glad this trick will be helpful 🙂
Wonderful suggestion! I never thought of that! Just like it never occurred to me that a hat didn’t have to involve crocheting a perfect, non-wavy, non-lopsided (impossible!!!!) Circle… seriously! Thank you 🙂
That’s a great trick! Since it’s cowl season this’ll come in handy! Thanks for sharing! Love your crochet tips! ?
That’s pure genius!
Thank you!! 😀
Awesome tip! Thank you for sharing it. I avoid patterns that start in the round because I could never figure this out. Take care!
Hi ! I’m about to start one of your sweater patterns which by the way I love all your patterns they are absolutely gorgeous and can’t wait to make them the problem is I can’t decide on which one so I guess I’ll have to make them all ! Anyway 😉, even though you have pictures of how not to twist the chain when working in the round, it is still confusing to me without actually having a video tutorial. Is it possible you can make a quick video tutorial like you did with the foundation single crochet video you made ? I would appreciate it so much if you would respond to this email. I’m making the block party t-shirt as my first sweater ever for my sister since her birthday is coming up, I can’t wait until I get started! You’re very talented and keep up all of the patterns that you have and sharing them with us in our crochet community ! 🤗🤔😉☺️ Lisa Sugarman
Hi! Thank you!! I don’t have a video for this trick right now. Maybe in the future 🙂
After several attempts and watching tutorials which didn’t help with my still twisting the yarn I was about to give up and look for another pattern. Then I found your suggestion. Now I’m going to tackle this crochet hat once again thanks to you. Update: Tried your method and it worked wonderfully.
Awesome!!! I’m so glad 🙂
WOW! Where has this been? I got so frustrated with a sweater I’m trying to make and this totally solved the problem.
Thank you so much!
Yay! I’m glad it was useful!!
Wow, I have seen things like running a knitting needle through but just never thought of this. I shall try this out. Thank you.
I hope you find this useful!! 🙂