There are times you need to make a chain. Chains may be easier to make with a crochet hook, but if you don’t have one handy, or in the right size, these methods will work just fine.
Knitted-Chain
Just think of your right knitting needle as a crochet hook substitute. Begin an unattached chain with a slip knot. For an attached chain, you will begin by pulling up a loop onto your right needle. Use the tip of your right needle to pull the yarn into the slip knot to make your first chain. *Repeat by using the tip of the right needle to chain into the last chain. Repeat from * specified number of times.
This is a short video (48 seconds) showing a knitted-chain. Click on the link and it will take you to Vimeo, in a separate tab.
A knitted-chain edging that I did with a Brittany double-point needle.
This shawl is called Lisbon. It is available here or on Ravelry. This uses a combined attached and unattached chain to create picots along the entire outside edge. The weight of the knitted shawl makes it easier to keep tension in the length of chain. If making an unattached-chain, hold the yarn and chain as if you were crocheting for the best results.
The photo below is the same shawl pattern, knitted in Shetland from Elemental Affects. As you can see, I pinned out the shawl and trim for maximum effect.
Finger-Chain
Create a slip-knot loop and pull it up big enough to put your thumb and forefinger into it, then *grasp the yarn and pull through to create chain, pulling the chain to the desired size; repeat creating from * to create an even chain, to the desired length.
Lingerie Straps
Using the techniques above, and sewing thread, embroidery floss, or a fine yarn, attached to the shoulder seam, make a chain long enough to slip under a bra or camisole strap. When it is at the appropriate length, sew one piece of a snap to the end of the lingerie strap and the other piece to the seam (far enough away from the anchor to accommodate the strap). This can be used very effectively to keep the straps of a bra or camisole hidden under your sweater.
For more details and techniques for making Lingerie Straps click here.
See also: sc, dc, tc, hdc, YOH, chain, join (crochet), join chain (crochet), crochet CO
