How to Crochet for Beginners ~ Make a Slipknot and Crochet a Chain

Today I want to show you how to make a slipknot and crochet a chain. It’s really simple once you get the hang of it, but if you’re completely new to crochet, it can feel a little bit tricky at first. 

This summer my teenage daughter and I taught ourselves to crochet, and now I’d like to share our new hobby with you.

Today we’ll go step-by-step through how to:

• Make a slip knot
• Hold your yarn and hook
• Crochet a series of chain stitches to form a foundation chain
• Finish it off so it’s ready to use in your next crochet project

You can use your finished chain as a cord for a drawstring bag, or even as a simple bracelet, yarn tie, or practice piece before moving on to basic crochet stitches like single or double crochet.

Let’s get started.

What You’ll Need

Before we begin, here’s what you’ll need for this beginner crochet tutorial:

• Some yarn – any type of yarn will do, but a smooth cotton yarn or acrylic yarn in a light colour is easy to work with
• A crochet hook – I’m using a 4 mm crochet hook, but if your yarn label recommends a different size, you can use that
• A pair of scissors
• A little patience

If you’re not sure what hook size to use, check the yarn label. There’s usually a suggested size listed. And if you’re really new to all this, using a slightly larger hook can help you see your stitches more clearly while you practise.

This post may contain affiliate links, which means if you buy something through those links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only link to materials I personally use and love.

How to Make a Slip Knot

Okay, the first thing we’ll do is make a slip knot. This is the starting point for most crochet patterns, and it’s the loop that will go onto your hook.

Here’s how I like to do it:

• Take your yarn and wrap it around two fingers (I use my index finger and middle finger of my dominant hand)
• Then pull the end of the yarn through to make a loop
• Slide your crochet hook into that loop
• Gently pull the working yarn (that’s the strand attached to your ball of yarn) to tighten it, not too tight, just enough that the loop sits comfortably on your hook

That’s your first loop. You’re ready to start making your foundation chain.

How to Crochet a Chain Stitch

Now that you have your slip knot on the hook, we can start crocheting your foundation chain.

This is the row of loops that will become the starting chain for most projects. It’s also a great way to practise keeping consistent tension, which just means keeping your stitches even and not too tight or loose.

Here’s how to do it:

• Hold your crochet hook in your right hand, however it feels comfortable. Some people use a pencil grip, others use a knife grip, there’s no one right way.
• With your left hand, take the working yarn and loop it around your pinky and ring finger, then under your middle finger and over your pointer finger (or index finger). This is just one way to guide the yarn. It helps give you a bit of control.
• Now take the tip of the hook, go under the yarn from below (not over the top), turn the hook slightly, and pull the yarn through the first loop on your hook.

That’s your first chain stitch!

Here is a video I made to show you the process in action:

Repeat that same movement:

• Hook the yarn from below
• Turn it a little
• Pull it through the loop

Each time you do this, you’re creating a new crochet chain stitch, and together they’ll form your starting chain. You can make as many as you like, depending on what you’re making.

Tips for Beginners: Practise in Short Sessions

If this is your first crochet project, here’s something that really helped me when I was learning:
Try practising for just 10 minutes at a time.

You don’t have to get it perfect all at once. In fact, I often find it easier to try something new for a few minutes, walk away, and come back to it a day or two later. It’s like your brain keeps working on it in the background, even when you’re not actively doing it. 

And when you try again, it often feels a little easier.

This approach can really help you avoid frustration and enjoy the process more. You don’t need to be fast or perfect. Just keep going a little bit at a time, and your hands will remember what to do.

Crochet is a new skill, and it takes a moment to get used to the movements. If you’re a beginner crocheter learning later in life (like I was), be kind to yourself and let it be slow.

How to Count Your Chains

If you’re following a crochet pattern, it might tell you to make a specific number of chains, like 30 or 60 or more. So how do you count them?

Look at the front of the chain. You’ll see little V shapes, almost like tiny arrows. Each one of those Vs is a chain stitch.

Start counting from the first complete stitch under your hook (don’t count the loop that’s still on your hook), and just go one by one: 1, 2, 3, 4…

If you ever lose track, it’s okay to start over or just eyeball the length you want, especially for practice pieces or things like drawstring cords.

You can also use a stitch marker to mark every 10 or 20 chains as you go if you’re making a long foundation row.

How to Finish Off Your Chain

Once your foundation chain is as long as you need it, for a drawstring, a bracelet or just practise, you’ll want to finish it off so it doesn’t unravel.

Here’s the best way to do that:

• Cut the end of the yarn, leaving a tail that’s about 10–15 cm long (a little longer if you’re going to sew it into something later).
• Yarn over one last time, just like you’re making a regular chain, and pull the tail all the way through the working loop on your hook.
• Gently pull it tight. That’s it.

You’ve now got a completed series of chain stitches. Your very first crochet piece.

Using Your Crochet Chain

Your finished beginning chain might seem small, but there are so many good ideas for how to use it.

Here are a few:

• Drawstring: Thread it through a small sewn bag or pouch.
• Bracelet or headband: Just tie the ends together. Great for kids.
• Practice base: Use it as your foundation row for your next step, like learning single crochet stitches (coming in Part 2).
• Decoration: Use different yarn weights and colours to make chains for gift wrap, garlands, or wall hangings.
• Pet toys: Make a few long chains and braid or knot them for a DIY toy.