How Many Chains Do You Need to Start a Chain with a Multiple?
Many crocheters write us and ask us to figure out the starting chain counts where a multiple in a pattern exists. To help crocheters, I've developed a worksheet with the answers but also an exercise to test your skills to figure it out yourself.
Helpful Tips
The Worksheet Below
The worksheet is downloadable to print off for your own records and/or to use to complete the additional exercise to test your skills.
Considerations for the Multiple:
- Does the multiple go directly across or is the first and last stitch not included in that multiple?
- When a Multiple does NOT have stand alone edges. The Crochet Spinning Wheels Blanket is an example.
- When a Multiple does HAVE stand alone edges. The Baby Waffle Blanket is an example.
The worksheet tells you how many additional chains to main for both considerations. However, I think it's best to learn how to read a crochet diagram in the case that the pattern is more complex than just a start row. This is really handy to know for wave type afghans.
The worksheet shows you an example diagram of double crochet stitches. Can you figure it out without checking the upside down answers at the bottom of the page?
Patty Comey says
I am starting an afghan combining two different patterns for the panels, the star stitch and the slanted boxes. The star stitch is a multiple of 2 +1 and the slanted boxes is a multiple of 4. How do I make the transition from one stitch to another as I work my way across the afghan? I am starting and ending with the star stitch. I am working the afghan from side to side not top to bottom and I don't want to sew the panels together. Thank you!
Mikey says
Morning Patty. I'm really not sure. I haven't heard of the Slanted Boxes before. I would have to experiment and try in order to figure out an answer. I think based on the multiples you mentioned, you may need to make an extra stand-alone stitch when doing the slanted boxes to make up for the missing stitch. Through in sc or something to hold its spot.
Patty Comey says
Thanks Mikey, I am going to work on it and I may get back to you with additional questions.
NancyAnn LeMoyne says
Thanks. Appreciate your time. I’ll have to look at tutorial as I need it. As a friend suggested. Totally understand. No problem