Naming this tutorial was incredibly difficult! Because it's about a technique or line of instruction that can be phrased many different ways. "Worked in two halves." "Join to foundation chain." "Break yarn and rejoin at chain." "Repeat pattern in other side of foundation chain." What does it all mean? Let me explain in this video tutorial!
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Working into the Other Side of the Foundation Chain (Right Handed)
Working into the Other Side of the Foundation Chain (Left Handed)
As Seen in this Video (Click for more information!)
- US-I, 5.5mm Furls Odyssey Hook
- Lion Brand LB Collection Cotton Bamboo in Persimmon
- Mentioned: Alpaca Your Wrap - free crochet pattern
So these instructions show up most often when you're making something like a rectangular wrap or shawl - times when you want symmetry in the stitch pattern, but aren't working in circles or half circles. Working into the other side of the foundation chain can also come up in garment patterns, for instance when the foundation chain is at the shoulder.
Generally speaking, you'll follow a pattern in rows to about the halfway point (possibly excluding some sort of edging or trim), and then the instructions will tell you to stop and work the pattern again from the other side of the foundation chain. Some patterns really lay out exactly what they mean, while others leave it sort of vague - and if you've never encountered this before, it can be pretty confusing - I know, I've gotten the emails asking about it!
So to lay it out here for those unable to watch the video:
To make the second half of the pattern, you turn the first half around so that the chain you made at the very beginning - the one that Row 1 was worked into - is facing up. If the pattern calls for a right side (RS) or wrong side (WS), then you need to make sure the side of the fabric indicated in the pattern is facing you.
Then, look for the loops from the foundation chain that are now facing up. It might be one loop, it might be two, depending on how you worked your first row. You are going to use those loops to work into for your new Row 1 for the second half!
So join your yarn to the unused loops from the first chain, and crochet according to the pattern directions! Most often, this will "mirror" Row 1 of the first half, which can make it even easier to see where to work each stitch. But as always, read your pattern carefully - each one is different (and that's what makes it fun!).
I hope this has helped answer any questions you have had about this technique. However the pattern writer phrases it, it's a great way to make sure your garment's stitch pattern looks symmetrical on both sides. It can also lend a little bit of stability to projects without having to use seaming, as the chain has less stretch than the rest of the stitches. If you have further questions about this technique, please let me know in the comments!
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marie reine
j'essaie de placer une commande mais ça, ne fonctionne pas es ce que vous vendez seulement au états unis , moi je demeure au canada pouvez vous me donner une réponse, merci
Tamara Kelly
Hello Marie! I don't know what you are trying to order?
Terese
Tamara Kelly, I enjoyed your video--very clear and concise. I have taken one Craftsy class from you, without knowing you were associated with Moogly, and was pleased with your instructions on Craftsy also. I hope I can see more of your videos.
Tamara Kelly
😀 Thank you so much Terese! I really appreciate it!
Tiffany
Wow! I didn't even know this was an issue. I've been doing this for years on scarves. I crochet a little tighter on my foundation chain (so I like to use foundation sc or DC now!) But I always made the foundation chain in the middle then worked half the project, then the other half!
Anyway, I do love your videos and your explainations of everything! I especially love how you have everything in both right and left handed videos, I have a friend who's left handed who never knows how to do new stitches. I send her to you.
Tamara Kelly
It's easy it's true, but if you've never seen it before, it can be confusing to come across it in instructions! 🙂 Thank you so much Tiffany!
Jackie
Lol the video could've been called "Break on through to the other side" hahahaaa ode to Jim Morrison. Just a silly thay popped in to my head! Thank you so much for making these videos ?
Tamara Kelly
LOL! I quoted one of his songs another post once, too funny! I'm so glad you like them, thank you Jackie!
Justine Richards
Thank you so much for this video tutorial. It has helped me hugely with adding a darker colour to my ombre blanket. I thought I had started with the darkest colour but found a darker one in the shops and really wanted to use it! Problem solved!
Tamara Kelly
😀 That's fantastic! Thank you Justine!