Tutorial: Foundation Half double crochet

Starting a new crochet project can be very exciting.  If you are like me you delve into the project and have a sinking feeling when you see long starting chains.  Working into a long chain has always been awkward for me...the tension moves, the chain twists, all the chains start to lose definition and the result is starting over....and over.  I have even put aside the most enthusiastic dreams of long stoles or shawls because of the starting chain...these projects remain in a totebag dedicated to projects "I'll get to later" only they never resurface to see the glint of light from my hook.  I should rename the totebag to Graveyard.

Through countless hours of online crochet research (stalking) I discovered foundation stitches.  They are amazing.  There are several types but for this post I am going to show you a picture of a Fhdc (Foundation half double crochet)  starting chain and provide you a link to download my free Fhdc tutorial.  I used HDC for a lot of my creations like hats, potholders, shawls and felting (fulling) projects.  I find that the stitch gives a very sturdy beginning and yields a more polished look along the starting edge.  I also don't find myself cursing and stabbing at the beginning of a project as I am infamous for when working with starting chains.  

Here is what a Fhdc will look like... this is a picture of only 5 beginning stitches worked but you can make your foundation chain as long as you need it to be.

See how nicely that works up!?  Click here for the tutorial, it is free and hopefully helpful.

I made a little bracelet out of mine.  (pattern for bracelet included in PDF)