What is a “Turning Chain”?

I have seen some interesting things come across my desk lately that involve the turning chain. I also have some info I want to share with you, thought I already had but I can’t find the post, so here we go.

Let’s start with what is a turning chain? It can also be referred to as a beginning chain.

A turning chain is the chains that are made either at the end or beginning of a row/round and could be before or after turning, depending on your preference.

The interesting thing I have seen as an editor lately, never seen it before as a stitcher, is “ch 1 (does not count as first sc)”. I’m not sure why this has become a thing but it has. I’ve seen it in patterns where English is the designer’s first language as well as in those from other countries.

The chain 1 at the beginning never counts as the first stitch. It is just doing the job of a turning chain, which is two-fold. First, it makes it easier to go back and stitch in the exact same place as the ch-1 is coming from. Second, it gives height so that the first stitch is the same height as all the other stitches.

The issue that I thought I had shared about double crochet turning chains is 3 chains or only 2 chains?

In the photo below I have used 3 chains, and that ch-3 counts as the first double crochet in the row and therefore the next double crochet is worked into the next stitch. On the following row the last double crochet will need to be worked into the 3rd chain of the ch-3. I don’t like the way this looks. It leaves a bigger gap than I like.

I prefer to use chain 2 as the turning chain for a double crochet. When I do that, I work a double crochet into the very first stitch on the row and on the following row I do not work a double crochet in the top of the chain 2. If I did it would be an increase. You can see in the photo below it causes a small bump on the side, but that is easily smoothed with an edging.

For taller stitches I work different turning or beginning chain numbers as well.

Single crochet is 1 chain

Double crochet is 2 chains

Treble crochet is 3 chains

Double treble crochet is 4 chains

You can use this when working in the round as well. The change there is instead of joining to the top of the beginning chain, you join to the top of the first double crochet. The slightly shortened beginning chain just gets pushed to the back and the work goes on.

Using the directions below, try to begin the next double crochet row without a turning chain. Try using just a chain 2 turning chain to see what you think. Try chaining and then turning. Try turning and then chaining and note the differences. Share your thoughts in the comments.

Happy Making!