In the world of crochet, many techniques and stitches need to be learned before you can attempt to crochet something useful and beautiful. One of the important ones is understanding just what a crochet chain space is. Chain spaces are necessary for the structure and texture of many basic stitches and combinations of stitches. Let's look at the concept of chain spaces (usually written in patterns as “ch sp”), how they are used, and why you need them.
Crochet Chain Space Tutorial
What are Chain Spaces in Crochet?
Crocheting chain stitches without working into the previous round or row creates a gap known as a chain space. The crochet chain stitch serves as the basis for subsequent rows, giving height and space for additional stitches to be worked into. When a crochet pattern tells you to create a chain space, you must skip a few stitches in the previous row or round, leaving an open space.
This is an easy beginner technique.
Crochet Abbreviations
The abbreviation for chain space is ch sp. It may be hyphenated ch-sp and it may have a number attached to indicate how many chains there are.
Here are US crochet terms used for crochet chain spaces:
- ch-sp = chain space
- ch-1 sp = chain 1 space
- ch-2 sp = chain 2 space
- ch-3 sp = chain 3 space
- sk = skip
- next st = next stitch
Learn how to chain stitch crochet and how to do foundation chains.
- Start with a slip knot (if starting the chain)
- Yarn over
- Pull through (1 loop on hook)
How to Make a Chain Space
A chain space is formed by crocheting a chain(s) in the center of a row or a round. In most cases, you work the required number of chain stitches, then skip a particular number of stitches from the preceding row or round before crocheting into the next stitch.
Here is an example of a chain 1 space between treble stitches.
It is important to follow the pattern instructions to work out the number of stitches to skip after crocheting the chains to create the chain space. Remember that the number of stitches you work into the chain space in the next row or round might not match the number of chains you used to create the space.
You will normally work into the crochet chain space in the following row. Just insert your hook into the space and stitch as normal.
Crochet often uses chain spaces to create airy lace stitch designs. Chain spacing also provides places for additional stitches to be worked into. They can be used in various crochet crafts, including blankets, shawls, garments, and accessories.
Uses of Crochet Chain Spaces
1. Creating Gaps or Spaces
Working a few chain stitches and skipping the same number of stitches in the previous row, then continuing with your pattern stitch, creates gaps or spaces in the crochet fabric.
This makes mesh patterns, lacy designs, and other decorative motifs. Using a lot of chain spaces in the fabric makes the fabric more breathable, and strategically placed chain spaces add visual interest to the piece by creating various patterns.
Granny squares use lots of chain spaces to create gaps and corners.
2. Increasing and Decreasing
Chain spaces are important in structuring crochet projects by allowing for increases and decreases. Crocheters can create curves and angles by skipping stitches and creating chain spaces.
Increases are often formed by working several stitches into a single chain space, while decreases use skipped stitches and make chain spaces to reduce the width of the fabric.
3. Design Elements
Chain spaces are often combined with other stitches to create different, visually appealing stitches. They give us all sorts of variations for creating new stitches when combined with double, treble, or picot stitches. You can use them to create beautiful designs and lace patterns or enhance the texture of the crochet fabric.
On a practical level, chain spaces can create button holes and eyelets.
4. Filet Crochet
Filet crochet is based on a simple network of double crochet and chain spaces. Designs of many types, including flowers, geometric patterns, lettering, and even entire scenes, may be created by filling in squares or spaces with double crochet stitches and leaving chain spaces in between to form the pattern's open spaces.
Many people consider filet crochet to be really complicated, but it is simply made up of solid areas of double crochet and spaces of chains. All you need to know is how to work these two basic stitches!
Tips for Working with Crochet Chain Spaces
Here are some tips and tricks to help you work with chain spaces more effectively:
- Maintain Consistent Tension: Ensure that your chains are not too tight or you have loose tension. If you don't have the right tension may result in misshapen chain spaces, which will affect the overall look of your project.
- Count Your Chains: Take your time to count the correct number of chains required for each space to avoid mistakes in your work.
- Use Stitch Markers: This can help you keep track of where to work your stitches, especially in intricate patterns with multiple chain spaces.
- Work Carefully Around Chains: When crocheting into chain spaces, be careful to work into the spaces and not into the actual chain stitches themselves.
- Block Your Work: Blocking your finished project can help eliminate any irregularities caused by working with chain spaces.
Crochet Chain Spaces - In Conclusion
Now we've successfully solved the puzzle of crochet chain spaces! You can see how these simple spaces can turn your projects into something truly amazing, from making light lace patterns to strong geometric designs.
Basic Crochet Stitches
Here are more crochet tutorials:
- Slip stitch (sl st)
- Single crochet stitches (sc)
- Double crochet (dc)
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