Where is the Back Ridge of a Chain in Crochet?

By Rachel Choi – 19 Comments

There are a few ways to crochet into your foundation chain. The most common way is to insert your hook under the top loop on the front of the chain. However, you may want to insert your hook in the back ridge of a chain instead. Where is the back ridge?

Here is a picture of the front of several chains.
crochet chain
Here is a picture of the back of the chains. The back ridge is the small “hump” on the back of the chain.
back ridge
Why crochet into the back ridge?
Symmetry – the beginning of your work will look more like the end of your work. The 2 loops of the chain that look like the front and back loops of a stitch will appear at the beginning of your work.

Do you have a question about the back ridge of a chain stitch? Or do you have info you would like to share? Leave a comment!

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19 Comments

  1. Bethintx1 says:

    Another cool thing about working in the back loops of the chain is, if for some reason, you want to remove the chain, you just slip out the tail and pull and the chain will unravel even with stitches in it.
    This is a technique knitters often use.

  2. Janice says:

    To: Bethintx1

    Why would you be removing the chain with stitches in it? Won’t that cause those stitches to be unstable and loose? I’m not sure why you would do this. 🙂 Please give an example of when this might be done. Please explain. Thanks.

  3. Jennifer says:

    I LOVE your site!!! I’ve crocheted a couple of small projects (scarves), but was never really taught all the ins and outs. I always wondered where to poke my needle into the foundation chain. THANKS!!!

  4. […] Pattern: Ribbon Row 1: ch 37, dc in the back ridge only in third ch from hook and in each ch across, finish off. Using the photo as a guide, sew or pin the […]

  5. […] Pattern: Piano Key Scarf Row 1: with white, ch 21, working in the back ridge only, sc in second ch from hook and in each ch across: 20 sc Tip: before making your last few stitches […]

  6. […] Row 1: with brown, ch 10, working in back ridge only, hdc in third ch from hook and in each ch across, finish off: 8 […]

  7. […] Pattern: Cupcake Applique Row 1: with light brown, ch 7, working in back ridge only, sc in each ch across: 6 sc Row 2 – 7: ch 1, turn, working in back loops only, sc in each sc […]

  8. […] Placemat Start by loosely chaining 42 or a chain that is as wide as you want your placemat. Row 1: working in back ridge only, hdc in third ch from hook and in each ch across: 40 hdc Row 2: ch 2, turn, hdc in each hdc across: […]

  9. […] first chain. This slip stitch or single crochet can be made into the V of the chain, or into the back ridge of the chain. There is also a relatively new technique, where the slip stitch or single crochet is made on top […]

  10. […] When making the foundation stitches, it is recommended to crochet into the back ridge of the chain to make the project look balanced, and make it easier to work stitches in. Also included near the […]

  11. […] is 31 chain stitches. When making the foundation stitches, it is recommended to crochet into the back ridge of the chain to make the project look balanced, and make it easier to work stitches […]

  12. […] 1: ch 9, working in the back ridge of the chain, sc in second ch from hook and in each ch across: 8 […]

  13. BarbaraMorrisseau says:

    After completing the back bar chain, is the back bar just for the first row? Or is the back bar stitch done throughout the pattern?

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