What is a Chain Space (ch-sp)?
By Rachel Choi – 50 CommentsSometimes when you read a crochet pattern, it’ll tell you to work into a chain space (ch-sp). But what in the world is a chain space? Simply put, a chain space is any space/hole/gap in your work that is created by making a chain. The space is located below the chain.
Chain spaces can be created in numerous ways and can vary in size. Often times (but not always), a chain space is made by making a chain then skipping a few stitches on the row to make your next stitch. Chain spaces can be made by any number of chains, for instance you can chain 1 or you can chain 5 to create a chain space. In a pattern you may see a chain 5 space abbreviated as “ch-5 sp”.
Here is a photos of what a chain space can look like:
Normally when you crochet into a stitch you insert your hook into the font and back loops of the stitch. But when you are instructed to crochet into a chain space, just insert your hook into the space/hole/gap (underneath the chain) to make your stitch.
What this helpful? Let me know!
Thank you so much. Now one of my new patterns is suddenly clear.
That was an excellent description and illustration. Thank you!
Thank you! I always wondered if I was to stitch into the top two loops (as usual) or INTO the space. Now, it is crystal clear, thanks to you!
Great! I thought this was the case but was uncertain and often wondered if I was doing this right. Thanks.
[...] Don’t understand chain spaces? Learn more here-> What is a chain space? [...]
Thank you! I have been searching everywhere for this answer! I couldn’t even find it in books!
OMGSH!!! THANK YOU!!!! I can’t tell you how much you’ve helped me! So many other sources that were trying to explain the chain stitch explained it in a way that couldn’t be understood. Yet, the explanation you give makes it sound so simple! The space under the chain. DUH Thank you so much!
Ah! thanks so much for making that so clear!
Thank you so much. I googled “ch sp” and kept reading different descriptions and still couldn’t understand it…until I came to your page. Illustrations make understanding so much easier. Thank you again! Now I can make my scarf correctly!
Thank you!! I have been searching the internet for hours, trying to make sense of “chain-# sp” so that I could continue on with my pattern correctly. Your images are super helpful and I’m confident I have this now.
I love your entire site!
very very very helpful! the only picture I found on the web that I could actually see clearly where the space was and what it looked like and how to use it. thank you very much!
thank you so much! I have been searching everywhere to find out what “ch-5 sp” means! clear picture and understandable description.
Thank you Rachel for your explanation and photos. Super clear. Now I can proceed with my project with confidence.
Thank you! This was the fifth site I tried before finding not only an explanation but the pics too. Just awesome!
Now if only I could find out how to do a “ch 1 into next ch 1 space”…. how in the world you do a chain INTO a chain space………???
It’s from a pattern available online called “Chris’ Cap For Men” from Knots of Love, Inc.
Hi Cyette, does it say “ch 1 in next ch 1 space” exactly? If so, I’m not sure how to do that either. But if it is written as a series of stitches done in the chain space, and the ch 1 is one of those stitches, then you would do the other stitches into the chain space, and then make the ch 1 like you normally would.
Hi, love your site.its a great help.I am a beginner.I could make a few things but now I can read patterns and make any thing.Patterns for almost everything is available here.I have told some other beginners about you.
[...] working a block over a space, work your middle dc in the chain space. Filet crochet blocks above [...]
Oh thank you so much! I am returning to crocheting after severalmyears and i didn’t have a clue!
So how would you do a 6 ch-7sp? Does it mean to chain 6 and then attach to the 7 space or create 6 chains in the 7 space? I’m confused
6 ch-7 sp sounds like a stitch count at the end of a row. You can tell me the instructions for the entire row? Maybe the context can help clarify.
Here it is…
Row 1: Sc in second ch from hook and next 3 ch, ch 7, skip next 5 ch, *sc in next 7 ch, ch 7, skip next 5 ch; repeat from * to last 4 ch, sc in last 4 ch, turn—6 ch-7 sp.
Row 2: Ch 1, sc in first 3 sc, ch 5, skip next sc, skip next 3 ch, sc in next ch (center ch of ch-7 sp), ch 5, skip next 3 ch, skip next sc, *sc in next 5 sc, ch 5, skip next sc, skip next 3 ch, sc in next ch, ch 5, skip next 3 ch, skip next sc; repeat from * across to last 3 sc, sc in last 3 sc, turn—12 ch-5 sp.
I’ve included the 2nd row so you can see more information.
The “6 ch-7 sp” at the end of row 1 is the stitch count for the row. After you complete row 1, you will have a total of 6 chain-7 spaces, that’s 6 spaces that are created by chaining 7 during row 1. You’d don’t have to make the spaces again, it’s just there so you can double check your work and count the number of chain spaces that you already made.
thanks so much… I was wondering why i would continue the row after turning.
this was very helpful especialy with the pics as I am new to crochet!!!
thanks
Thank you very much for the explanation. I have a better understanding now, but still don’t understand exactly what I should do in my pattern. (It is at the end of a granny square, after joining the ends.)
Below is the instructions for the entire round – I can’t figure out what exactly I have to do for “4 corner ch-1 spaces; 9 dc and 3 ch-1 spaces one each side”.
Round 4: Ch 3, (2 dc, ch 1, 3 dc) in same space, *[ch 1, skip next 3 dc, 2 dc between last skipped and next dc] twice, ch 1, skip next 3 dc, (3 dc, ch 1, 3 dc) between last skipped and next dc; repeat from * twice; repeat from * to ** once join with slip st in top of beginning ch-3 – 4 corner ch-1 spaces; 9 dc and 3 ch-1 spaces on each side. Fasten off.
Please help
Aliza, the “4 corner ch-1 spaces; 9 dc and 3 ch-1 spaces one each side” is the stitch count for the round. It tells you how many stitches you should have already made on round 4. You don’t have to do any more crocheting for the round, it’s just there so you can double check your work.
Thanks for the quick reply Rachel! Can’t tell you how much I appreciate it. Everything makes so much more sense now!
I decided to take a chance and learn reading more detailed patterns as i’m going along. You’re explaination of the ch-sp is very helpful, but I still cannot understand something in my pattern. When it says sc in next ch-3 sp, am I sc in the next three spaces or in the third space?
Here is an exerpt from the pattern: Row 2: Ch 4, Increase-shell in ch-2 space of first shell, ch 2, skip next ch-2 space, sc in next ch-3 space, [ch 3, sc in next ch-3 space] 4 times, ch 2, Increase-shell in ch-2 space of last shell, ch 1, dc in 3rd ch of turning ch, turn.
Hi Noreen, a ch-3 space is a space/hole that is created by chaining 3 on a previous row. So to “sc in next ch-3 space” you’re going to locate where the space/hole is that is creating by chaining 3 on the previous row, and insert your hook into that space in order to make your single crochet. The ch-3 space doesn’t mean to “sc in the next three space” and it doesn’t mean “in the third space” either. Let me know if it’s still confusing and I can try to explain it more!
Okay, could you explain what it means to ch3 on a previous row? Thank you so much for the help. I’m just such a visual learner, with no visuals for this project, so I’m finding it even more difficult. I appreciate your help!
Hi Noreen, on your previous row does it ever say to “ch 3″? If so, that’s the chain 3 on the previous row that ch-3 space is referring to. The chain 3, is what ends up creating a “hole” in your work.
Eureka! I’ve got it!! Thank you so much Rachel! You have been a big help!
Hi Rachel! Omgosh, this helped sooo much. Thank you so much for the clear explanation and pictures. I was wondering why my piece was looking so “tight” – duh! Haha… I will definitely add your website to my favorites =) Now, let’s see if I can get this right ^.^
Thanks so much for such a clear post–it took a lot of searching to find it, but I managed to fix a mistake I didn’t even realize I was making!
I just have a quick question–I’m following a shawl pattern, and there’s a part of it that doesn’t make any sense to me, even after a lot of attempted research. This is the part I’m stuck on:
Rnd 3: Slip stitch in first ch1 space, ch 4, dc in same stitch, ch 1, *(dc, ch 1) in next ch 1 space, (work SmShell: dc, ch1, dc, ch1) in ch 1 space of next Shell, Place Marker in center of SmShell just worked*; repeat from * to * around. Join with slip stitch in 3rd chain of beginning ch4.
I’m confident that I’ve crocheted correctly up until where it says to work SmShell in ch 1 space of next shell–the pattern never mentioned making shells, and what I have so far is circular. If you could explain this to me, I’d be very grateful
Hi Nessiya, I don’t know what you already made on round 2, but a shell is typically and bunch of stitches (normally about 5 stitches) that’s made into one stitch. So if you did do something like that on round 2, maybe your pattern is telling you to work into the ch 1 space what was apart of those shells.
Hi, thanks so much for the quick reply! Unfortunately, I’m pretty sure there isn’t anything quite like that on round 2…this is the beginning of the pattern:
To Start: Ch 10, join with sl st in first ch to form circle.
Rnd 1: Ch 4 (Note: counts as first dc and ch 1 now and throughout), (dc, ch1) 11 times in center of circle. Join with slip stitch in 3rd chain of beginning ch4. (Total of 12 dc)
Rnd 2: Slip stitch in first ch1 space, ch 4, dc in same space, ch1; (dc, ch 1, dc, ch 1) in each ch1 space around. Join with slip stitch in 3rd chain of beginning ch4. (Total of 24 dc)
Is there something that could be a shell in that?
In round 3, it says “SmShell: dc, ch1, dc, ch1″ so I think that the (dc, ch 1, dc, ch 1) on round 2 is being considered a shell in this case.
Thank you, I think that may be right…I’ll try it and hope, I guess
Thanks so much!
In my baby blanket it says to kchin 3, sc, in ch 1 sp. What do they mean by “chin”
Hi Elaine, I’m not sure what “chin” means, but I think it might be a typo in the pattern. Perhaps the designer meant to say “chain 3″
yes, this was helpful! thanks!
Okay, I am kindof a newbie. I need help with * skip next dc, (dc in next dc, ch 1) twice; repeat from *. The problem I am having is that I also have chain spaces in the previous row, and if I follow the pattern, it would sometimes need to be inserted into that instead of a dc… Am I missing something?
Hi Brittany! From the way it’s written it doesn’t look like you should be working into any chain spaces, just the double crochets. Maybe there is an error in the pattern you’re working with? If it’s a Crochet Spot pattern, let me know what it is and I’ll take a look at it.
Ah!! Maybe you can help me figure this out?
Rd 2: Ch 4 (counts as first dc and ch-1 sp). (Sk 1 sc, dc in next sc, ch 1) across to corner. (Dc in same sc, ch 1) 2 times more (corner turned). Repeat around for next three sides of blanket, only repeating last (dc in same sc, ch1) one time in last corner. Join with sl st to 3rd ch of 1st ch-4.
Not sure what it wants me to do after I chain 4. Do I just skip the parentheses after ‘Ch4′ and go on to ‘sk 1′?
Yes, the (counts as first dc and ch-1 sp) is just telling you how to count the ch 4 you just made when you count your stitches for the round, it’s not telling you to crochet anything. So yes, after you do the ch 4 you’ll go on to do the (Sk 1 sc, dc in next sc, ch 1) across
Thank you sooo much!! This is so helpful and such a perfect description!! Thank you!!!
You actually make it appear so easy with your presentation but I in finding this matter to be actually one thing that I believe I might by no means understand.
It sort of feels too complex and extremely huge for me. I am taking a look forward on
your next post, I’ll attempt to get the hold of it!
Thanks – this helped. Love the pictures.
Thankyou, you explained it perfectly with picture and words!