How to Crochet the Second Row - Tutorial Eight

Crocheting the second row can be a bit confusing when you’re just starting out with crochet. Where do you put your first stitch? How do you count the stitches and where do you end the row? These are all questions that I asked myself at the beginning of my crochet journey and thus how to crochet the second row has made it into my How to Crochet Step by Step mini series.

I’ve made a quick video tutorial to help you through those confusing stages and hopefully answer your questions about the second row. It goes through working in rows as well as working in the round. So watch the video below to get started or head to the written instructions further down if you prefer.

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Written Instructions

Working in Rows

When working in rows, we begin the second row by making some chains. The idea is that we bring the working yarn up to the height of the stitches that we are working with. So if we are working double (U.K. treble) crochet stitches then we would begin with a chain two. The chain two is the same height as a double crochet stitch. This means we will get even, straight edges on both sides.

If you’re not sure how many chains to make at the beginning of the row, don’t worry, this is something that is included in every pattern at the beginning of every row. The pattern you are following will tell you what to do.

Once you have made your chains, you will then work your first stitch into the last stitch of the first row (watch the video to see exactly where I mean). Continue your stitches until you reach the end and make your last stitch into the first stitch of the first row.

Working in Rounds

When working in the round, you will basically do the same thing as working in rows, the only difference is joining the two ends together and knowing where the beginning and end is. I usually like to mark the last stitch of the row to keep track of this.

Once you have finished your first round of stitches and joined your two ends, you will then skip the joining stitch and work your first stitch into the second to last stitch of your first row.

Usually you will make two stitches into each stitch for the second row of a round project. Continue making two stitches for each stitch of the first row until you reach your marked stitch. Take the marker out and make another two stitches into that marked stitch.

Next you will need to join again to complete the circle. Miss the chain two and slip stitch into the first stitch of the second row.

Now when counting your stitches, again you do not count the joining stitch. You should have double the amount of stitches that you started with.

I hope this helps and answers all your questions about the second row. If you need any more help, just pop your questions in the comments and I’ll do my best to help you out.