The best alternative to beginning chain 3 in a double crochet row

The easiest way I found to start a double crochet row keeping the stitches similar.

The number of chains at the beginning of a row is determined by the height of the stitch you will be using next. These chains we use in the beginning are very handy because it will make our work turn out with a correct height along the row. As a general rule this number can be:

Single crochet (sc) – 1 chain

Half double crochet (hdc) – 2 chains (the chain does not count as a stitch)

Double crochet (dc) – 2 or 3 chains (if using 2 chains, it doesn’t count as a stitch, if using 3, it counts)

Treble crochet (tc) – 4 chains

As much as I like chains, there are times when they don’t fit perfectly in a project, for example, in a pattern worked in rounds, if we are starting with a single crochet (sc) or a half double crochet (hdc) stitch, we can use one or two beginning chains and they will be disguised between the stitches because these chains don’t count as a stitch. However, if the stitch that you will start with is higher than this and needs three chains, you can use this alternative to make the stitches similar between them.

As soon as you try it, you will see how it will look more beautiful than using the regular chain 3.

For this tutorial, I am using the two double crochet bobble as the stitch that we are using in the row, just to show it as an example. To make this stitch, you need to start with 3 chains and then make a double crochet in the same space, joining together to form the bobble. If we use the regular chain 3, the stitch will stay like this:

In my patterns, I use the alt-ch3 as the abbreviation when I am using the alternative to chain 3 in double crochet. 

How can you make this alt-ch3 as well? Super simple!

At the beginning of the row, instead of making three chains, make one single crochet (sc) and chain 1. Now, this needs to be done loosely, so if you have a tight tension, relax the tension or use a bigger hook.

The row of your work using an alt-ch3 will look like this:

Spot the differences between this alternative to chain 3? The row using three chains shows that the first stitch is quite different than the others, and the one with the alt-ch3 shows a similarity between them.

You can use it at the beginning of a row with any stitch you want, as long as it uses three or more chains to begin.

What do you think? Will you start using this alternative? I hope this tutorial helped you and let me know any topic you would like to see featured here in the blog.

xoxo,
Mari