Check a starting chain before joining it

A join cannot remove a twist already in the chain

When a project begins with a long chain joined into a ring, the chain can roll as you handle it. If you join it while it is twisted, the first rounds can form an unintended twist that is awkward to fix later. Take a moment to identify one side of the chain before making the joining stitch.

Follow one edge around

1. Lay the chain on a flat surface in a broad circle, keeping the live loop on the hook.
2. Find the line of Vs and gently arrange them so they face the same way around the circle. Follow the line with a finger from the hook to the starting knot.
3. Keep the beginning and end under control while bringing them together. Recheck the chain immediately beside the join, where a small roll can be hidden.
4. Only then join in the way the pattern specifies. Do not count the slip knot or live loop as extra chain stitches.

Make a small rehearsal

Practise with a shorter spare chain so you can see a full circuit at once. Try deliberately twisting it, then straightening it, without making any stitches. That comparison helps you recognise the problem on a longer start. A marker near the beginning can make it easier to find the starting chain again, but it cannot guarantee that the whole length is straight.

Check again after the first round

Lay the first round flat and trace its edge. If the project should be untwisted and a twist is present, stop before adding height. Follow the pattern’s repair approach or undo to the join and remake it. Some designs intentionally use a twist, so check the intended construction before assuming every twist is a mistake.

Words in this lesson

Notes & further reading

Original explanations and practice exercises by Crochet By Micky. UK stitch names are used; check the stitch key in any other pattern you follow.

• Crochet Guild of America: basic techniques

Reviewed 25 October 2026. Cover artwork is an original illustration, not a third-party pattern or event photograph.