FSC (Foundation Single Crochet) and FDC (Foundation Double Crochet) are great techniques to learn - and great ways to start a project! Foundation stitches have a lot more stretch than a typical starting chain, making them ideal for garments, including hats worked from the bottom-up. But how do you join that first row of FSC or FDC to work in the round? Let me show you!
Joining Foundation Stitches to Work in the Round
In other words, when making a row of FSC or FDC that you intend to join in the round, leave a longer tail at the start, about 6 inches or so. Then, slip stitch into the top of the first stitch of the row to join, just as you would normally join a row of stitches. This leaves a small gap between the posts or bottom half of the first and last stitches. So after you've completed a few rows of your project, or when you're done and ready to weave in ends, take that long tail you left at the beginning and use it to do something like a seamless join to sew the loose ends of the first and last foundation stitches together. Easy as can be!
Have you used foundation stitches in the round before? Do you know how to FSC and FDC? Videos for both are linked above (any blue words are a link). I struggled a little bit when I learned them, back before there were youtube videos to help, but now they're one of my favorite ways to start a project! No working into the chain, and great stretchy edges! What do you think? Looking for a pattern that uses this technique? Try this Reversible Baby Hat!
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Stephanie says
I am working on the lucious one skein cowl. My struggle is joining to work in the round. Your tutorial is good, but it is double crochet, and my first row is single. No matter how I do it, I end up with a twist. I think I followed the first tutorial correctly. The joining tutorial is a little fast.
Thanks in advance for any help you can provide.
Tamara Kelly says
Hi Stephanie! It sounds like your trouble is that the first round twists? There are a couple of things you can do - use stitch markers to help keep the first row all pointing the right way, laying it on a table and untwisting it before joining is usually easiest.
Karen says
Is there a written instructions for this? I have no internet at home and when I start something its at home..Thanks...
Tamara Kelly says
Hi Karen! The written instructions would basically be "use the tail to stitch the bottom of the row together." One watch of the video and I think you'll have it. 🙂
Rebeckah says
Thank you, this is amazing! I really love your foundation sts. So much easier to work with thread if I don't have to worry about crocheting into long chs all the time!
Tamara Kelly says
😀 Thank you Rebeckah!
Danielle Taylor says
Did this video get taken down? I've refreshed this page and still no video showing how to join in the round
Tamara Kelly says
Sorry about that, Danielle! The switch to https messed up the link - I've fixed it now! 🙂
Emily McNair says
This is the one! Thanks Tamara!
Cherie Pugh says
Thanks Tamara,
Your video was an excellent technique reminder! And very much appreciated 💐
Tamara Kelly says
Thank you so much, Cherie! ♥