No More Gaps with Starting Stitches

August 27, 2026

This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through links on our site, I may earn a small commission. Click to see full details of my Privacy Policy.

Pin it now, make later!

Want straight crochet edges every single time by eliminating turning chains? Let me show you how crochet starting stitches can neaten up your projects.

1. How to get straight edges with starting stitches
2. Starting Double (UK) / Starting Single (US)

In this tutorial I’ll be using the treble crochet as an example, which is a US double but you can use this on any of your projects.

Normally to start a new row, you could chain 2 or 3 and then treble in the same stitch if you’re not counting that chain as a stitch, or in the next stitch if you are counting the chain as a stitch. This can create a skinny or bulky stitch, and also create gaps and a wonky edge.

How to get straight edges with starting stitches

Starting Double (UK) / Starting Single (US)

Starting double crochet stitch - lifting the loop to the height of the stitch. — Lift up the loop to the height of a double crochet instead of chaining to create a starting double crochet stitch.

Lift up the loop on your hook instead of chaining.
Put finger on the loop and then go into the first stitch.
Yarn over and pull through which will leave you with two loops on the hook.
Yarn over again and pull through both loops.
When you continue with your row, you will see the elongated stitch at the start is much neater than chaining 2 or 3 and having a gap at the edge.

Use a stitch maker in the elongated stitch so you can keep track of where the first stitch is when you come back to it.

Starting Half Treble (UK) / Starting Double (US)

We don’t need to lift up and elongate the loop this time but the technique is similar.
Place your finger on the loop on the hook and go into the very first stitch.
Yarn over and pull through so you have two loops on the hook.
Yarn over and pull through both loops on the hook.
Next we’re going to do what is sometimes knows as a stacked double crochet.

Starting half treble crochet stitch - going into the post to create a stacked double crochet. — Go into the post to create a stacked double crochet.

Go into the post (see image above to guide you), yarn over and pull through, this should leave you with two loops on the hook.
Yarn over and pull through both loops.
This will leave you with a stacked double crochet/starting half treble crochet.
Continue to work your stitches all the way across the row.

Starting Treble (UK) / Starting Double (US)

Lift up the hook and pull up a loop which is around the same height as a treble crochet.
Place your finger on the loop and wrap your hook around the chain, see image below.

Starting treble crochet stitch - Twisting the loop around your hook. — Twist your loop around your hook for a starting treble stitch.

Go into the very first stitch, yarn over and pull through.
Keeping your finger on the wrapped chain, yarn over and pull through leaving two loops on the hook.
Yarn over and pull through the two remaining loops.
Carry on with the remaining stitches of the row.

This may look a little loose on the end, but when you start working your way back and work through both sides of the stitch, it pulls it together to look like a normal stitch.

Starting Double Treble / Starting Treble

Lift up your hook to make the loop around the height of the double treble.

Twist your loop around the hook, twice. If you don’t have enough space to do this, adjust your loop size, see below image.

Starting double treble stitch - Twisting your loop around the hook twice. — Twisting your loop around the hook twice for the starting double treble.

Go into the first stitch, yarn over and pull through.
Keep your finger on the loop to keep it twisted around your hook, you should have four loops on your hook.
Yarn over and pull through two and then yarn over and pull through the remaining two loops.
Complete your row of double trebles.

Starting Double Treble (UK) / Starting Treble (US) alternative

Like the starting half treble, start with those stacked double crochet’s on top of each other by doing a double crochet and then another double crochet in the post of the previous one.

To make this a double treble, go into the front post again and add a treble crochet on top.

This stitch looks slightly wider and you do end up with a little chain at the end, see image below.

Two double crochets and a treble crochet stacked to create an alternative starting double treble. — Two double crochets and a treble crochet stacked.

However if you have trouble wrapping the loops around the hook, this is a great alternative.

Completed crochet swatch with straight edges. — Neat straight crochet with starting stitches.

I hope you find these tips and techniques help with making your crochet projects in future straight and super neat. If you are still having problems, there may be some issues with tension in your work. If you struggle with tension, check out the video below.

Join Our Crochet Community

Need Pattern Support? Join Our Facebook Group

The fastest way to get pattern support is to ask in our dedicated facebook group for Bella Coco Crochet patterns. This is the best place for you to connect with other crocheters.

Please note, if you wish to change and adapt this pattern in any way, this must be done at your own exploration and we cannot offer assistance with this.