I’ve read many websites about crocheting into the turning chain. There are different opinions on the subject. Are you supposed to crochet into the turning chain on All stitches? (When I say stitches I mean SC, HDC, DC, Trebel)
After doing many swatches i’ve realized that I have to go into the turning chain for every stitch. Otherwise it gets skinner the more rows I crochet.
Thanks!
Heather,
[S]SC are done into the stitch below the turning chain but anyting taller depends on the designer’s preference. As a general rule you …[/S] :oops:
Do you mean to ask when do you crochet into the top of a turning chain? That is done when the stitches are HDC, DC, Tr, etc. only on SC rows do you not crochet into a turning chain. That is because a turning chain is most often counted as a stitch for anything larger than a SC.
My oops, was that I was going to tell you when you crochet into the same stitch as the turning chain started from (connected at the bottom thus an increase for HDC and larger/taller stitches.) But I don’t think that was your question.
Okay, I’m becoming a “wordy” again. 
–Jack
My understanding of the turning chain is that is what you do at the end of a row. These “extra” chain stitches are actually the first stitch of the next row.
For example- in sc, at the end of the row, you would chain two; turn; sc into the bottom stitch of the chain, thus making your first new sc for the next row. For a dc, you would chain 3; turn, yo and stitch into the third chain from the hook (the bottom stitch of the chain) and continue. Some patterns suggest you skip one stitch after making the first new stitch in the row so that you don’t increase each row by one stitch.
Your directions should say how it wants you to start, but if not, I would suggest skipping the first stitch after the new chain stitch. Sorry if this is confusing.
Tikki 
:knitting:
THIS CHART might be helpful to you.
MGM
It does not matter what stitch it is (at least not for the standard sc, hdc, dc, etc).
Count your stitches and use markers until you know where you’re going (I actually use markers all the time on large objects because I don’t like counting long runs of crochet stitches, if I do mess up at least I know my edges are good and any adjustment is in the row).
The last turning chain loop is the top of your first stitch, the loop you pulled through to complete your second to last stitch is the top of your last stitch.
Under that loop is where you generally insert your hook.
If you wrap a safety pin around that loop before making its stitch the marker will be placed where you insert the hook.
After you get used to it you learn to spot the first and last stitches. Using a larger hook to get a looser gauge will probably help.
I think it would be useful if you described what type of project you are working on.
On flat work some folks crochet into the turning chain at the end of a row & some don’t. I don’t.
I only do things like All SC, all HDC etc…nothing fancy yet.
There are way to many conflicting website. Everybody does things differently. The more I read about it the more confused I get. Oh well, i’ll get it, i always do.
Hi Heather,
Try not to get discouraged- you are correct that there is often more than one way of crocheting. I am an experienced crocheter so I have not visited the crochet sites that offer instruction.
But I am a new knitter & I was confused by the many different ways of knitting. I found the style that worked best for me (continental) & then just practiced alot & made alot of mistakes at first. So then I googled again & learned what I had done wrong & corrected myself. FYI- I was doing yarnovers wrong- it seemed like such a simple thing to do, but there is more to it than I thought.
I personally do not like single crochet (SC), as I can’t seem to get a natural rhythm going. My favorite is half double crochet (HDC) because I like the pattern the stitch makes when you only use HDC to make a scarf, hat or purse.
I also find having a picture of the method near me while I am knitting helps me until its sunk in to my memory. Your local library might have a book that you would find useful.
If I could teach myself to knit- you can teach yourself to crochet. We’re here to help.
I taught myself to knit to ( over a yr ago), took 2 months to “get it”.
Heather … there is a book out : I TAUGHT MYSELF CROCHET … which is very helpful and now they even have included directions for left handers in it.
its the book I finally bought many years ago to teach myself how to do it.
I recently bought a book by the same people that is : I TAUGHT MYSELF TO KNIT.
They also now have both books available with either hooks or needles depending on which one ya buy … the crochet one has the 4 basic hooks used, so I figure the needles are the basic ones used also.
but they both have patterns in them too. so like that you can practice as you learn. lolol