I Hate Chain Starts!!!!

I have seen so many complaints about "chain starts" that it honestly began to baffle me.

I've had one or two people write to me requesting that I re-write a pattern so that they can begin with a "magic circle" instead of a 'chain' and even had one who accused me of using camera tricks and that I was using glue or something to "not have gaps in my beginning (chain) round"

Now, I say baffle me because I've never had an issue with gaps or spaces when I begin with a chain and before I began designing larger amigurumi, I was a thread bear/animal fanatic.  So, I just accepted that perhaps my tension was extremely tight.

NO, I do not use a smaller hook for the beginning chain round, that would be changing the pattern - if the pattern calls for a Size G Hook, that is what I use through and through.

No, I do not sew anything together - I do not use glue or any 'designer tricks' - I think the glue would be too hard once dried (as I use superglue at the finish off of a doily) - and I really don't know any designer "tricks" per se.

Chain starts are very common in many Asian amigurumi instructions, so perhaps when I was taught, I was not taught as most Americans are taught- perhaps my way of doing things isn't normal... which wouldn't really surprise me as I've been told my entire life that I "have my own way of doing things - right or wrong".

It wasn't until a fellow designer posted a 'tutorial' about crocheting an oval that I realized why so many people were having gap issues - they are splitting the chain!

Any-who-diddle:

A tutorial to help anyone who is having a problem with spaces, gaps or just wants to learn a different way of beginning a project with a "chain start".

Perhaps the pattern reads as such:

Chain 11,

Inc in 2nd chain from hook, sc in ea of nxt 8 sts, 4 sc in end ch st - turn piece to allow you to work up the other side of original beg chain (as if a flat round), sc in ea of nxt 8 sts, Inc in last st.  (24 sts)

You begin your chain - 

Your chain - and from the side (this is important!)

Do you notice the little 'hump' behind each chain?

When I was taught to crochet in the chain, it was these little humpy bumps that the first row of stitches were worked into - whether the project was for an amigurumi, a blanket or an article of clothing - a chain in almost any other item would show, you want it to look as polished as the rest of the project, not 'loopy' or like someone has pulled at it.

Working the chain - completing the stitches instructed by the designer, but working in these 'humps' rather than splitting the chain. 

*I decided to change colors to emphasize the different 'sections' of this tutorial.

Here you can see what I've done (in purple) with the first few stitches

Continuing to follow the instructions, single crochet stitch being placed in each hump directed, then 4 single crochet in the last stitch's hump/turning the piece as the final stitch is placed to allow the piece to be worked on the opposite side of the chain.

As you can see from the photo, the chain is very 'full' this way and not flimsy or being pulled by your stitches - it almost looks as if you are crocheting in ROWS instead of crocheting around a chain.

Now you can see the end result is much cleaner, more polished - no holes, no gaps, no smaller hooks, no sewing - no tricks!

I hope you have found this tutorial useful - and perhaps, you may learn to love chain starts as much as I do.

Page Updated on: 2 September 2020

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Permission has NOT be granted to any 3rd Party to re-print, re-post or translate any FiberDoodlesbyK4TT products.

By utilizing any product from FiberDoodlesbyK4TT, whether by clicking over the internet, telephone, facsimile or otherwise, you agree to the Terms and Conditions of the FiberDoodlesbyK4TT End User Licensing Agreement (EULA) or qualification.
All patterns are sold in good faith. Every effort has been made to ensure that all instructions are accurate and complete. FiberDoodlesbyK4TT cannot, however, be responsible for human error or variations in individual work.

All patterns released from FiberDoodlesbyK4TT are protected under Federal copyright laws. Reproduction/distribution, in part or in whole, is strictly prohibited unless specifically authorized. This includes, but is not limited to, any form of reproduction or distribution on or through the Internet, including posting, scanning, "Crochet-A-Longs" and/or eMail transmission. 

COMMONLY ASKED QUESTIONS (Again)

Q:  How can I reach you?

A: Obviously, for me to answer the question.. you've reached me!!  Yeah!!   You can always reach out to me by using the "Contact Seller" convo button on Etsy or by sending me a Direct Messages either on Ravelry or on Twitter.  
However, the quickest, most reliable method to alert me that you need to contact me is to send me an eMail to fiberdoodles [@] gmail [.com]

Q:  I have a question about a pattern I bought from you, how can I reach you?

A: On the title page of each pdf I put out, you can find all my contact information (email address, shops where my patterns are sold).  You can always reach out to me by using the "Contact Seller" convo button on Etsy or by sending me a Direct Messages either on Ravelry or on Twitter.  

However, the quickest, most reliable method to alert me that you need to contact me is to send me an eMail to fiberdoodles@gmail.com

It is NEVER okay to post instructions from my patterns online in an attempt to get answers that way.

Q:  I think you made a mistake, is this pattern wrong?

A: I make every effort humanly possible to insure that when a pattern is released, that it is error free.  But do errors still occur from time to time?  Sure, I am not am neither a computer or a robot and neither are my testers/associates.  There have been a few instances where a pattern slipped through the cracks with an error.  

Most times I have been contacted, however, it's been that an instruction has been misread, or a repeated pattern of stitches not read correctly.

There are always notes at the beginning of each pattern designed to address any challenges that you may encounter in creating the project - special stitches that  may used, as well as a "key"  for the commonly used terms.  I also created a tutorial on "how to read patterns" on this blog that can often help clear up any confusion in the writing.

In most instances - these will resolve the issue that you may feel is wrong with the pattern and save the wait time for me to respond to your eMail.

If you do find an error, however, please do not hesitate to ask me about it!

Q:  I don't like working in chains, can I use a Magic Circle instead?

A: You COULD - but it won't like like the photo.  

Working in chains is really not that challenging, even though it may seem that way if you learned a less reliable method of this technique.  That's why I wrote a tutorial several years ago to help. You can read that tutorial here. 

Q:  Can I sell what I make from your patterns?

A: The short answer is Yes, you certainly can sell what you make from patterns purchased from FiberDoodles by K4TT!  In fact, I encourage it and try to help you out!! 

But there are some 'rules' for using my patterns to sell your art.  For more information in the limitations of selling projects made from my patterns, please see the EULA (End User Licensing Agreement) page on this blog. Don't worry, it's not as 'restrictive' as it sounds.

Q:  Do you sell patterns in other languages/Can I translate for you?

A: No, I do not. And no, you may not.   If you see my patterns written in Russian, Dutch, French or any other language, they are stolen property.  

I would love it if my patterns were in every language that is spoken on this planet - however, my patterns are more than just written instructions.  They are a part of me and my vision of the world around me - it's also MY reputation.  

I do not have my patterns translated into languages that I cannot communicate in.  This is for my client's protection.  Part of why clients continue to return to FiberDoodles by K4TT for their crochet needs, is because I will take the time to help, explain and if need be, make tutorials to assist my clients create my visions.  In order to do this, there must be fluent communication between designer and client to understand where a problem lays.  

Things like Google Translate and other online translators are 'okay', but they are not crochet oriented - so miscommunications can happen.

I have had friends, people I have known for years, offer to translate into French and Dutch as well as German, Italian and Spanish. However, because I am not fluent in these languages to converse with clientele that may purchase them; I have not taken advantage of such services.

Q:  All of your photos say not to share on sharing sites.  Does this mean I can't add it to my Pinerest Album or share on my Twitter/Facebook Page?

A: All of my photos are my intellectual property and contain a watermark that indicates you may not share on sharing sites.  This makes it easier for the copyright side of websites to remove my content from sites where it should not be - such as illegal share groups. 

You are more than welcome to share anyof my original public posts on your own  private blog, Facebook Page, add to your Pinterest Catalog, etc. provided you include a link to the pattern souce and where it's sold or given freely (the FDbyK4TT Blog or FDbyK4TT Store).

Depending on options available to you, you may have to copy/paste the link to public post (the http://).  It is never okay to copy/paste or right click/download & repost content, share coupon codes, etc - void of the authentic original post without linking back to me as the owner & designer of the content you are sharing.

The term "Sharing Sites" is the nice way of saying 'Stealing Sites" and usually have a comment with them such as 'seeking' or 'do you have' - these are sites with the expressed intent of sharing pirated copyright materials. 

Q:  Do you offer discounts for multiple purchases?

A: No, I do not. Or at least not very often.  I do have sales from time to time, which sometimes is a BOGO (Buy One/Get One) and host giveaways during the school season - this, I believe, creates opportunities for everyone to get the best deals on my patterns. I often just randomly give patterns away - because of a comment made... a completed project shared... just on a whim.

But generally, my clients make the price (and then some) of each pattern back, with the sale of their own completed project made from my pattern(s); especially those who make large and multiple purchases.

This page last updated: 2 September 2022

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(¯`·._(_.·´¯`·._.»  Copyright Notice  «._.·´¯`·._)_.·´¯)

Should you wish to share this Information or FiberDoodlesbyK4TT Patterns, please share using an Official FiberDoodlesbyK4TT authorized page 

.
✦⋆✦  RAVERLY  ✦⋆✦  BLOG  ✦⋆✦  ETSY  ✦⋆✦

Permission has NOT be granted to any 3rd Party to re-print, re-post or translate any FiberDoodlesbyK4TT products.

By utilizing any product from FiberDoodlesbyK4TT, whether by clicking over the internet, telephone, facsimile or otherwise, you agree to the Terms and Conditions of the FiberDoodlesbyK4TT End User Licensing Agreement (EULA) or qualification.
All patterns are sold in good faith. Every effort has been made to ensure that all instructions are accurate and complete. FiberDoodlesbyK4TT cannot, however, be responsible for human error or variations in individual work.

All patterns released from FiberDoodlesbyK4TT are protected under Federal copyright laws. Reproduction/distribution, in part or in whole, is strictly prohibited unless specifically authorized. This includes, but is not limited to, any form of reproduction or distribution on or through the Internet, including posting, scanning, "Crochet-A-Longs" and/or eMail transmission.