How Many Chains Do You Need to Start Your Project?

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If you’re wondering how many chains to crochet for your next project, you’re in the right place. This article will guide you on how to figure out how many chains to crochet for whatever project you want to make.

UPDATED: AUGUST 1, 2023 BY BRITTANY
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In this guide we'll show you how to determine how many chains you need for various crochet project.

While figuring out how many chains you need is pretty easy, the answer is never exactly the same for everyone or every project. The hook, yarn, and stitch must all be factored in, but it’ll be easier than you think!

Here is a quick overview of the topics we will cover in this article:


Here’s What You Need to Know First.

The number of chains needed to start a project depends on the hook, yarn, and stitch you’re using. To figure out the correct number of starting chains, you need to be aware of two things:

  1. The stitch multiple
  2. The width of the thing you want to make

Use the following steps to come up with a number for each of these things, and ultimately see how many chains you need to make for your project.

Step 1. What Is The Stitch Multiple?

The stitch multiple is easy enough.

If you’re using a basic stitch like single crochet stitches, half double crochet, double crochet stitches, or any other ‘one stitch’ that gets repeated over and over, the stitch multiple is simply one. If that’s the case for you, jump to “How Many Chains for Basic Stitches” below.

For any other stitch, keep reading.

The stitch multiple should always be given in the pattern notes section of the stitch book or online tutorial you’re using. When you find it, jot that number down.

Let’s look at the Primrose stitch as an example. You can find the written instructions and tutorial for it here. It has a multiple of 3 + 2. In other words, to make a project with this stitch you’d just chain in groups of 3, and add 2 at the end.

To clarify, the multiple for the primrose stitch is 3. The “+2” only happens once at the end of the chain.

Something to note…”stitch multiple” and “repeat” are sometimes used interchangeably.

Step 2: How wide is one repeat? (aka one “multiple”)

Once you know how many crochet chains is in one repeat, you’ll need to find out how wide one repeat measures using the hook and yarn you plan to use for your project. (Remember, you only have to do this for stitches with a multiple anything other than one).

For stitch patterns with repeats with 2-5 stitches, it’s best to measure the width of a few repeats and use simple math to figure out the width of one repeat. This will make your measurement more accurate.

To do this for the primrose stitch, I’d make 15 chains + 2 = 17 chains

After following the instructions for the first three rows of the primrose stitch, I’m ready to take a measurement. Being as exact as possible, measure the width of the work. It’s best to use a wooden or plastic ruler if possible.

In this example, I’m working with Patons Classic Wool Worsted and a 5 mm hook. My swatch measures 4″ wide. Since this swatch is made up of 5 repeats (or 5 groups of 3 chains)…

4 (inches wide) divided by 5 (repeats) = 0.8″ per repeat with this hook, yarn, and stitch combo.

So if you find yourself working with a stitch that has a small multiple (like 5 or less), this approach will give you a more accurate number and your project width estimate will be more reliable.

If your stitch pattern has a bigger repeat (like more than 5 chains), you can usually measure the width of a single repeat and skip this little calculation altogether. We’ll look at an example of that below.

Step 3: How Wide Do You Want Your Project to Be?

The next thing you need to know is how wide you want your project to be. If you’re crocheting a blanket, use our blanket sizing chart for a list of widths for common blanket sizes.

Most scarves measure between 6 and 8 inches wide. Shawls can measure between 32 and 43″ wide.

For clothing, I recommend looking at the following body measurement charts from the Craft Yarn Council:

Step 4: Figure Out How Many Chains You Need

How Many Chains for Basic Stitches

Since the stitch multiple for basic stitches is one, figuring out how many chains you need is really easy. For projects like blankets or scarves (where size isn’t critically important), you can simply keep making chains until your chain measures the width you want.

It’s best to stretch the chain slightly to get a more accurate measurement.

Once you have enough chains for the width you want, you will need to add some chains based on the stitch you’re using. These are usually called the “turning chain” and represent the height of the stitch. If you didn’t have turning chains, the edge wouldn’t be even. Here’s a simple rule of thumb for how many chains you need to add for each basic stitch:

  • Single Crochet = 1 chain
  • Half Double Crochet = 2 chains
  • Double Crochet = 3 chains
  • Treble Crochet = 4 chains
  • Double Treble Crochet = 5 chains

Note that I’m using US crochet terms. If you follow UK terms, you’ll want to use our US to UK conversion chart here.

How Many Chains for Other Stitches

When you know how wide a single repeat (or “multiple” in other words) is with your yarn, stitch, and hook of choice, you can use it to figure out how many multiples you need for the width you want.

Let’s say I want to make a baby blanket that’s 30″ wide, and I’ve determined that my stitch multiple measures 0.8″ wide. Divide 30 by 0.8 to get 37.5 – which means you need 37.5 multiples (or groups of 3 chains) for a blanket this wide. But we can’t do a half multiple like this, so I’ll round down to 37 (knowing it’ll be just a teeny bit smaller than 30″ by rounding down).

When you multiply 37 by 3 (remember, that’s the primrose stitch multiple) you get 111 chains. Then add the +2 chains to get a grand total of 113 chains to start a baby blanket that’s about 30″ wide with all of our example parameters.

Here’s another example…

Desired Project Width
50″

Multiple
17 + 2

Step 1: Make 18 chains and work the stitch until you reach the row repeat in the pattern. Then measure….One repeat measures 3.5″

Step 2: 50 / 3.5 = 14.29 (repeats)

Step 3: Round 14.29 down to 14

Step 4: 17 x 14 = 238 (chains)

Step 5: 238 + 2 = 240 (chains) to start the project.

So in this particular example, I would start with 240 chains for this desired width. One thing you may have noticed in this example is that the math didn’t work out perfectly….again. The step 2 calculation wasn’t a whole number, and since we can’t make 14.29 repeats we have to round down. This is pretty common.

The math won’t always work out perfectly, and in many cases, that’s perfectly okay. For projects where sizing isn’t critically important like blankets or scarves… being close to your target width is good enough.

For clothing and projects where fit is important though, you need it to be more exact. The step 2 equation needs to be a whole number, so 14…not 14.29. In these instances, it’s best to adjust the hook size to get a single repeat measurement that divides evenly into your desired width.

How Many Chains for Ripple Stitches?

Given the up-and-down nature of a ripple or chevron stitch, you need to take a slightly different approach to figure out how many chains you need. Learn how many chains you need for ripple stitches in this article here.

How Many Chains Do You Need? Video Tutorial

More of a visual person? I get it! Watch this video for an even deeper explanation of what you just read.

Video not displaying? Watch this tutorial on YouTube instead.

Right-Handed Tutorial on YouTube

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From the podcast…

Need this concept to sink in a little more? Check out this episode of the BHooked Podcast where I go into even more detail about how many chains you need to start your project.

Hit the play button below to listen!

Frequently Asked Questions

How many chains do I need for a blanket?

The number of chains you need for a blanket depends on the hook, yarn, stitch, and width you want your blanket to be. Following the steps in this article will help you figure it all out!

What is a good size to crochet a blanket?

You can crochet a blanket of all sizes from a tiny receiving blanket to a king-sized throw. Use our blanket sizes guide for a list of standard blanket sizes.