Simple Foundation Single Crochet (FSC) Photo & Video Tutorial

Want to skip that long chain at the beginning of a new crochet project? Then you need foundation single crochet (FSC)! Learn why chainless foundations are my favorite way to begin a crochet project in this step-by-step video tutorial.

Today I am excited to share one of my favorite crochet tricks with you all!

When I first learned how to work the foundation single crochet (abbreviated fsc and also know as a chainless foundation single crochet), it blew my mind and totally changed the way I started a lot of my crochet projects.

If your pattern calls for fsc, and you have no idea what that means, no worries! I’ve got you covered. Just keep on reading because I think you are going to love this technique!

This post includes both a photo tutorial and a video to walk you through the process. Just keep on reading, or click HERE to jump to the video.

Beginner’s Guide to Foundation Single Crochet (FSC)

Because many of my crochet patterns start with the foundation single crochet stitch, I knew I needed to have a little resource here explaining why I love starting with the FSC and how to work it.

First, let’s start off by explaining what a foundation single crochet stitch is.

What is foundation single crochet, anyway?

The normal method for beginning most crochet patterns is to work a bunch of chain stitches to form a starting chain and then go back and work the stitches for the first row into that chain foundation. 

Instead, chainless foundation stitches replace this whole process and allow you to work your chain stitches and first row of stitches at the same time! (So cool!)

The Foundation Single Crochet (FSC) stitch is a combination of a chain stitch and a single crochet stitch. It allows you to easily create a foundation row of single crochet stitches without first working a long chain. FSC makes it easy to adjust the length of your foundation row and is perfect for starting out a scarf or afghan.

Here’s what a short row of foundation single crochet looks like. You can see the top half of the stitch looks like a single crochet, and the bottom half looks a lot like chains.

But why should you bother to learn a whole new stitch, when you already know how to chain and single crochet? I’m going to tell you why!

Why use Foundation Single Crochet? Lots of reasons!

1. FSC is easier than working into a chain foundation. Sure, it may be confusing at first, but once you get fsc down, you will love it. Working stitches into a chain foundation is so fussy. Chain stitches are often worked tightly, and it can be difficult to get the hook into the chain.
2. Counting stitches is much simpler. “I love counting chain stitches,” said no one ever. When you use fsc, you won’t have to count out five hundred chain stitches fifteen times to make sure you have the right number. AND if you get to your the end of your second row and realize you miscounted, then you won’t have to rip out the first two rows of your work you just spent thirty minutes on! (Not that I have experience with that or anything. 😂) Maybe the coolest thing about fsc is that because the first two rows are essentially worked together, you will only have to take out a few stitches if your initial count was off.
3. It doesn’t curl and twist like regular single crochet. When you work single crochet into a chain foundation it often refuses to lay flat. You can always block the final piece, but the curling and twisting can be annoying to work with. Foundation single crochet does not have this problem. You can see the difference in the image below:

So, do you want to learn how to work this miraculous fsc? Of course you do! Let’s get to that tutorial!

Foundation Single Crochet Tutorial

Below I have written instructions and a step-by-step picture tutorial to show you how to work the foundation single crochet stitch. You will also find a video tutorial after that.

Begin by joining your yarn to your hook with a slip knot and working two chain stitches. Then, insert your hook into first chain and draw up a loop.

This loop that you just drew up is the chain part of the foundation single crochet.

Next, yarn over, pull your hook through the first loop only so that you have two loops on your hook, just like if you were working a single crochet stitch.

Then, yarn over again and pull hook through both loops. That finishes up the single crochet part of the stitch and your first stitch is all done!

In the image above, we are looking at the right side of the stitch. You can see the chain loop on the bottom of the stitch, the “v” coming out of that (the posts of the single crochet), and the single crochet top above that. Chain and single crochet worked all at once! Ta-Da!

To make the next stitch, insert hook into the chain part of the fsc you just formed. Right here:

Then, after inserting your hook in the base of the previous stitch, ydraw up a loop.

Next, yarn over, and pull through first loop only. This forms the chain part of the fsc. 

Then yarn over again (you should have two loops on your hook now). Finally, pull through both loops to finish your second fsc stitch.

And that’s it! Repeat these steps to create a foundation row as long as your project requires and then you are ready to continue on with the rest of the pattern!

If you prefer a video tutorial, you can check out the video below.

Foundation Single Crochet (FSC) Video Tutorial

To hear me talk about why I love a chainless foundation and see that fsc stitch in cation, just click play below! :

(Psst… I would love if you subscribed to my youtube channel here. Thanks!)

That is it for today! I hope if you give this stitch a try, you will love it as much as I do.

Happy Crocheting and Happy Making!